Author Visit From Red Scarf Girl Ji Li Jiang
By Jen Mason Stott, Librarian, & Melanie Ahern, Literacy Coach
On October 18, 2013, The Cambridge Street Upper School was honored by a visit from Ji-Li Jiang, award-winning author of Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution.
Jiang’s memoir recalls her experience in 1966 Shanghai. As a
twelve-year-old honor student, young Ji-Li was forced to make impossible
choices about loyalty - to family, country, and self. She riveted CSUS
students with a multimedia presentation explaining the history of the
Chinese Cultural Revolution, her own family’s struggle, and the
importance of civic engagement and compassion. In two assemblies of 125+
students each, held in the auditorium plastered with hand made,
colorful, welcome posters, all scholars had the opportunity to sit in
close proximity to a powerful author and speaker. Most scholars had the
opportunity to speak directly to Jiang, asking thoughtful questions
during the assemblies, as well as at a Meet-the-Author luncheon hosted
by the librarian.
Through a pilot program of the Write to the
Core curriculum, the 7th grade classes at CSUS had coincidentally worked
through a unit based around Red Scarf Girl. Although they read
the book in its entirety, they focused on close reading of excerpts,
analyzing the text for the impact of societal shifts on Ji-Li and her
friends and family. Her opinion of herself, her peers, family members,
and home all shifted and changed as the Cultural Revolution took hold.
By looking closely at text, readers were able to trace the development
and growth, while thinking deeply about the world around them.
Although
they hadn’t read the book as a group, 6th and 8th graders came prepared
and eager to hear Ji-Li’s story. Teachers introduced Jiang through
engaging resources from her website, including a brief video summary of
her novel. All scholars brainstormed general questions one might ask of a
published author, as well as more targeted questions about her
experiences. 7th grade scholars shared their expertise, reading selected
excerpts of Jiang’s book over the intercom during morning
announcements.
The library purchased and borrowed extra copies of Red Scarf Girl; their interest piqued by Jiang’s visit, 6th and 8th graders continue to borrow it for independent reading.
Jen
Mason Stott, CSUS/King Open librarian, coordinated the visit with Jiang
and CSUS faculty after hearing from a network of local school
librarians that Jiang would make a visit to New England. Funding for
Jiang’s honorarium, books, and supporting materials was provided by the
Library Media Department, the King Open/CSUS Library/Literacy Committee,
and Amplify/Write to the Core.