5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 28/07/2007

Adeline Yen-Mah writes about her true childhood in this story for children. as a young girlg rowing up without our mother, her only comfort was her aunt and grandfather. Growing she was bullied and abused by her parents, esp. her Niang (stepmother) and her fellow siblings. Adeline sought comfort in book and writing. She always strove to be th best in order to prove to her father that she was worthy of him. This is a compelling and heartbreaking story of a child's survival in the harsh reality of abuse from within the family.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 16/01/2010

Jung-ling's family considers her bad luck because her mother died giving birth to her. They discriminate against her and make her feel unwanted yet she yearns and continuously strives for her parents' love. Her stepmother is vindictive and cruel and her father dismissive. Jung-ling grows up to be an academic child, with a natural ability for writing. Only her aunt and grandfather offer her any love and kindness. The story is of survival in the light of the mental and physical cruelty of her stepmother and the disloyalty of her siblings. Jung-ling blossoms in spite of everything and the story ends as her father agrees to let her study in England.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 26/08/2009

"Chinese Cinderella" is a perfect title for this book, Adeline was like Cinderella who has a cruel stepmother. The only difference is "Cinderella" is a fairytale, but "Chinese Cinderella" is not. This is a book for kids under 14, this book will make them compare themselves to the poor children, and knowing themselves are so lucky. This is a great book. A great book for children who feels unloved. It's a source of courage.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 01/03/2009

adeline yen mahs family consider her to be bad luck because her mother died giving birth to her!!! i really touched my heart i have encourged our school to get the books and the were issued again and again by so many people that they got 3 issues of the book of this website!!!! i have done many speech exams on this book. proeses from this book have became very helpful in my life because i have won lots of speech competitions pefroming them. if you do speech and drama i would buy this book for you and for your friends and for your teachers. everyone will enjoy this book!!!

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 07/01/2009

I brought this book a while ago and started reading it in the book store and by the time I got home I had pretty much finished it! It is one of those books that you can not put down and can just read again and again. It is a very sad story of how she was neglected and isolated because of her mum dying while giving birth to her. There are some funny parts but there are some heartbreaking ones like with her baby chick - I wont spoil it for you. I thoroughly recomend this book.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 09/07/2007

If you haven't read Adeline Yen Mah's autobiography then there is something wrong with you. Facing struggles since day one, this real life cinderella is a wake up call to all future, present and post parents. It shows the damage caused by being an unwanted child even among one's own siblings. But what it also shows is how strong people can be and if you dream hard enough absolutely nothing can get in your way of success. I recommend that you also read Falling Leaves which has additional information about wills and Adeline's later life.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 05/07/2007

I don't often cry when reading books, however this one certainly brought out a whole smorgasboard of emotions. From humourous accounts of childhood memories to heart-breaking descriptions of neglect and isolation.
It does reveal the strength of the human spirit- even from the young age of a child. A powerful story with many lesson about life and what it means to chase your dreams.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 10/06/2007

Adeline Yen-Mah is a great story-teller is this has been one of my favourite books. Written for the younger readers, it is a real tear-jerker of a book. I originally bought this book for my daughter who was nearly 10 at that time. Out of curiosity, I decided to have a read and found that once I started, I couldn't put the book down until I've finished it. My daughter really enjoyed it and so does her younger brother. It is a book that every young person should read at least once. If your kids moan about reading thick books, you can be sure they'll be hooked once they start reading. It has indeed started a passion in reading non-fictional books for my children.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 27/05/2007

I beautifully written novel about and appaling struggle. A real eye opener for teens. It is shocking yet innocent, creating more sympathy from the reader. A wonderful read and very touching. Would strongly recommend for all - although her other book "Falling Leaves" follows the story further and repeats some of this one, the bits missed are what make "Cinderella" so beautiful that I recommend you read it anyway.

5.0 out of 5 based on 14 reviews. – Customer review on 06/04/2007

I love, love, love this book. I know it is awfully cliché but I did indeed laugh & cry when I read this book. It is a relatively hard read – I recommend it for people 12+, but they must be ready to be exposed to a more harsh lifestyle. This book = 9/10.