Chu Ju's House by Gloria Whelan
WAW 2006 Award Nominee (Gr. 6-8)
December 30, 2006
Chu Ju lives in China. In China, families can have only one
child if they live in the city, and two children if they live in
the country. Boys are valued more than girls because boys stay with
their families when they grow up. Girls go to their husband's
family.
So when Chu Ju's family has a second child, and it also is a girl,
her family is disappointed. Chu Ju chooses to run away from home
rather than have her little sister go to the adoption house -- her
family's choice -- so they can still try for a boy.
Chu Ju lives through adventures that teach her new skills and
give her a new point of view on her country. Chu Ju helps her
friends along the way, and in the process, demonstrates the
importance of a person's character.
Gloria Whelan is also the author of Homeless Bird, which received the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2000.
