Ties that bind, Ties that break

This heart wrenching, gripping novel by  Lensey Namioka will not only make you laugh and cry, but will also make you think.

Lensey tells the sad (but with a haooy ending) tale of Ailin. It is 1911 and things are hard for girls, especially when their engagment is broken. Horrible traditions must be broken, but a girl is completely powerless in China, Ailin must just accept her fate (and painful feet) - right?

Although reading this review you may think it to be too sad, but I didn't actually cry - and you probably won't.

I can assure that when reading this novel you will learn many new things, about tradition, China and change. The book is not overly complecated, and not overly sad, so I would reccomend this for anyone about 11+.

I think that this is the only cover