Chu Ju's House

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to notice systemic unfairness or questioning why some traditions exist even when they seem hurtful. It is an ideal choice for the middle schooler who feels a deep sense of responsibility toward their siblings or is searching for their own sense of agency in a world governed by rigid rules. Chu Ju's journey begins with a heart-wrenching sacrifice: she runs away from home so that her newborn baby sister can stay, bypassing the restrictions of China's One-Child Policy and a grandmother's preference for boys. As Chu Ju travels through rural China, she finds work on a fishing boat and a silk farm, discovering that family and home can be built through choice and kindness. It is a poignant, realistic look at gender bias and sacrifice, best suited for ages 10 and up due to its mature themes of poverty and social injustice.