We are reading this book for school, and even though i normally don't like bios (or books we read for school), i love this one!

I can't say I "enjoyed" this book because it is a sad tale of an emotionally abused child struggling to survive against so many odds. However, I was thoroughly intrigued by the story and couldn't stop reading. Certainly this is an inspiration to those who think their own family background is uniquely cruel or unsupportive. An interesting look at Chinese culture and dysfunctional blended families. ( )

This was the first book I ever read about life in China, and I think it was a pretty good introduction to the vast country and the many, many intricacies of its cultures. The author doesn't plead for the reader's pity, but I sympathized and felt for naturally, which I really enjoyed. ( )

This book was quite inspiring to me, I did have to read it because of School but it wasn't just a book I had to read. I enjoyed it very much. I think it's a must read. After her mother dies giving birth to her, Adeline’s affluent, powerful family considers her bad luck. Life does not get any easier when her father remarries. She and her siblings are subjected to their stepmother’s disdain, while her half brother and half sister are thoroughly spoiled. Although Adeline wins prizes at school, they are not what she really yearns for the love and understanding of her family.

Because teens can become engrossed with fair play, will quickly become attached to both the main character and the book itself.

Adeline's mother dies giving birth to her and from that moment on she is considered bad luck. When her Father remarries the beautiful and worldly Niang, things get worse. Her Father and Niang have two children together and treat Adeline and her brothers and sisters from the previous marriage as second class citizens. They are not allowed to share the same living quareters or have nice clothes. Adeline is continually sent from one boarding school to the next. She never lets any of her friends in on her horrible home life. She devotes herself to her studies and wins many awards hoping to win her Father's praise. Follow the story of Adeline's life and pursuit for acceptance and love. ( )

A sad story about a girl who is unwanted by her family who blames her for her mother's death. It is sadly realistic and terrible to imagine. However, it makes for an amazing read. ( )

A moving and touching story. It's hard not to feel for Adeline as she manages to live day by day in a home that doesn't want her. ( )

Sad story, bring you along on an empathetic journey of an unwanted girl in a fractured family. ( )

I think this book is very good, and I would recommend anyone to read it. Even though it is sad because Adeline's parents don't even care about her, but it's very realistic. Most people don't realize how much things like this happen in the world, but they do. After I read this I knew how lucky I am to have a family who loves me.

It's about a girl named Adeline and her mother died giving birth to her so her brothers, sister, dad and step mother treat her like a servant and always blame her for her mother's death. She finds it hard to find friends and have a normal life. Chinese Cinderella is about being brave, strong and never letting anything get in the way of achieving your goals. I really enjoyed this book! I strongly recommend to everyone!! ( )

A beautiful true story about an unwanted Chinese girl. Definitely worth reading.

I don't read a lot of children's non-fiction, but this one was a compelling read. It's hard to understand how a parent can treat their child so terribly after the new kids (with a stepmother) come along. There is also an adult edition, "Falling leaves : the true story of an unwanted Chinese daughter". ( )

Very good, but very sad book. This is one I want to share with Alia later as it might give her a glimpse of the thought processes in China regarding their girls. I recommend this book - it is very easy to read -- but it is very sad. ( ( )

It is 1942 andYe Xian is living in a time of great change and turmoil in China. She takes the nickname of CC, or Chinese Cinderella, as she identifies with this old Chinese story and this marks the beginning of her own journey, a journey of discovery and adventure.

CC’s father and stepmother exist in a frame of mind that is a world apart from CC’s, though she does have her beloved Big Aunt as confidante; her life is difficult and strained. When CC is thrown out of her home after a series of confrontations with her stepmother, it is Grandma Wu and the Secret Dragon society to whom she must turn for support.

The society become her surrogate family as CC grows to appreciate the belief systems and way of life this new family offer her. The society provides CC with the support and opportunities that she has previously been unable to find with her parents. With the support of Grandma Wu and the other orphaned members of the society, CC begins to grow in confidence and ability.

This very personal story is set amidst the backdrop of great change within the world. The Second World War is underway, the Japanese have invaded and occupied China and the bombing of Pearl Harbour has led the US to enter the war. The Secret Dragon society are part of the resistance movement in China and vow to help when the Americans plan to bomb a number of Japanese cities. (Parts of this section of the story are based on actual historical events.) CC is a crucial member of the team and is integral to the society’s efforts in assisting with the American raid and the subsequent rescue of those American soldiers who were captured during its execution. All of these heroic efforts, though, come at a great cost to both the Chinese people and to CC personally.

This was a cute and inspiring story. That it's true makes it a million times better. ( )

What a great book. What a story, so worth the time! Can't believe parents could treat a child like that! ( )

Chinese Cinderella is a heart-warming story of a little girl whose mother died giving birth to her. Because of this she is shunned by the rest of her family, who believes her to be bad luck. She survives her childhood going through some serious trauma, like seeing her whole family watch her pet duckling been killed by the family dog, ON PURPOSE! Her stepmother, whom she calls Niang (chinese for mother), decides to pack her off to a convent boarding school. She is often the odd one out there, but manages to survive.
After her traumatising childhood, Adeline Men Yah went on to become a great author, and wrote this fabulous, tear-jerking book. She has also written the second part of this, called Falling Leaves, (I think). If you enjoy auto-biographies, and like a bit of a cry, then this is a perfect book for you.
Date Reviewed: 11/04/08 ( )

I thought this covered half the Cinderella fairy tale motif- yes she was neglected and denied constantly, but she wasn't treated so much as a servant (mostly because there were so many servants that she wasn't needed in that capacity). I wanted a lot of things in this story- I wanted her aunt to tell her friends what happened, I wanted her to tell her stepmother just once that she was a bitter old woman who was jealous because her children weren't as intelligent as she was (in fact, I wanted to yell at her stepmother myself), and I wanted her to tell people her story- tell them that she was getting the short end of things. I admired her intelligence and her strength, and I was really riveted. I might pick up her later autobiography because I just wanted more and more. ( )

This book is so sad! I cried at some parts. It is a really really good book, showing how Adeline Yen Mah was treated by her family, step brother & stepsister, her father & her stepmother. Her story is just like the story of Cinderella. After being treated unfairly and being left at many boarding schools, her father lets her go to college in England, but has to learn to deliever babies. Now, she is a physician and a writer. Her life changed a lot from being "hurt" by her stepmother and having to follow lame rules to a Cinderella fairytale. ( )

i really don't like the style of this book

Chinese Cinderella is the true story of Adeline Yen Mah. Adeline's mother died shortly after Adeline was born. Adeline's sister and brothers partially plame her for the loss of their mother and the situation is not helped by her father's remarriage and the appearance of two step-siblings. The fashionable step-mother resents the children of the first wife and relegates them to less than family status. The stepmother also manipulates the children in order to divide their loyalties.

Adeline wants to be loved, she wants a normal family. She tries very hard to maintain the public image of a well loved child in a wealthy family.

It is a sad story with a murdered pet, family intrigue, war, and deliberate cruelty to children. The worst of the abuse to Adeline comes as neglect and paternal rejection.

The uplifting part is how Adeline learns to build her self-worth on her own terms...she finds what she values about herself and focuses on that.

Adeline Yen Mah's mother died when she was born, and her family did not want her. Her father remarried, and Adeline grew up knowing her step mother hated her and her father was not interested in what happened to her. Her family was wealthy, and placed her in boarding schools, never visiting or writing. As in the fairy tale, there is a happy ending. ( )

This is probably the most sad book i have read. This is about a orphan chinese girl named Adeline and it is a biography. I really advise you to read it. ( )

When Adeline Yen Mah's mother dies giving birth to her the family considered her bad luck and was made to feel unwanted for all her life. Chinese Cinderella is the story of her struggle for acceptance and how she overcame the odds to prove her worth. ( )