The Crystal Ribbon

by Celeste Lim Narrated by Nancy Wu

Overview

Wonder, mysticism, heartache, and joy are the stones that set the path to one girl's journey as her destiny unfolds.

In the village of Huanan, in medieval China, the deity that rules is the Great Huli Jing. Though twelve-year-old Li Jing's name is a different character entirely from the Huli Jing, the sound is close enough to provide constant teasing-but maybe is also a source of greater destiny and power. Jing's life isn't easy. Her father is a poor tea farmer, and her family has come to the conclusion that in order for everyone to survive, Jing must be sacrificed for the common good. She is sold as a bride to the Koh family, where she will be the wife and nursemaid to their three-year-old son, Ju'nan. It's not fair, and Jing feels this bitterly, especially when she is treated poorly by the Koh's, and sold yet again into a worse situation that leads Jing to believe her only option is to run away, and find home again. With the help of a spider who weaves Jing a means to escape, and a nightingale who helps her find her way, Jing embarks on a quest back to Huanan--and to herself.

Editorial Reviews

SEPTEMBER 2017 - AudioFile

Narrator Nancy Wu flawlessly presents this affecting coming-of-age story set in 1100s China. Li Jing is the dutiful daughter of a poor tea-growing family. Wu deftly captures Jing as her life changes dramatically when she's sold to a wealthy family and is forced to marry their 3-year-old son. Listeners will be entranced by ravishing descriptions of the countryside; the magical talking nightingale and spider who help Jing add further enchantment. It's painful to hear Jing’s abuse by her new family and her feelings of hopelessness when she's sold to become a concubine. Young listeners will cheer as Jing cleverly escapes and goes from unquestioning obedience to confidence when she chooses a fulfilling career. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

12/05/2016
At age 11, Li Jing is sent away from her beloved father and brothers, and married off for five pieces of silver. Her family assures her that she will be cared for by the Guos, but she is instead greeted by a life of servitude and harsh beatings. As a tongyang xi, Jing serves as caregiver for her three-year-old child husband. The Guos, in financial straits, sell Jing to a chinglou, where she is to become a courtesan. Refusing to resign herself to this life, she escapes with the aid of forces both human and magical. Set in 1102 C.E. in medieval China, Lim’s debut viscerally captures the harsh realities of Jing’s life. Despite the often difficult circumstances, Jing is surrounded by people and forces willing to help her, rewarding her kindness and persistence. These supportive presences, coupled with Jing’s encounters with magical spirits and the noble feats she accomplishes throughout her journey, give Lim’s novel a mythical air. Well-researched historical elements meet rich fantasy in this tale of determination and devotion. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

11/01/2016
Gr 5–8—When 11-year-old Jing is sold by her family to be a future bride for a wealthy three-year-old, she is thrust into a life of humiliation and punishment by her new in-laws. When her plans to flee are thwarted, her in-laws sell her to be trained as a concubine. Jing learns that the concubines-in-training receive lessons in art and politics, and their physical duties are hinted at by one of China's most celebrated concubines, who eventually assists the girl in escaping. Upon leaving the concubine house, Jing stumbles upon a young boy and encounters a village that is seemingly being slowly poisoned by a tree. Jing's triumphant rescue of the poisoned village and her hopeful future are joyous conclusions to this somber story. Her constant deprivation and painful punishments are chillingly detailed. The relationship between Jing and Jun'an, her toddler-aged future husband, is one of the few reliefs Jing has from constant harassment and harsh words, although Jun'an is rather verbally advanced for a three-year-old. Chinese words, as well as Jing's internal thoughts, are italicized, with definitions of Chinese words woven into the narrative. An author's note gives further background on the time period and traditions of 1100 CE China. Magical elements throughout bring much-needed wonder and hope to Jing's life. Although this title is set in ancient China, the theme of children being sacrificed for profit and sold into slavery or prostitution remains relevant. VERDICT An unusual and fascinating though dark tale. Purchase where novels set in ancient China are popular.—Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

SEPTEMBER 2017 - AudioFile

Narrator Nancy Wu flawlessly presents this affecting coming-of-age story set in 1100s China. Li Jing is the dutiful daughter of a poor tea-growing family. Wu deftly captures Jing as her life changes dramatically when she's sold to a wealthy family and is forced to marry their 3-year-old son. Listeners will be entranced by ravishing descriptions of the countryside; the magical talking nightingale and spider who help Jing add further enchantment. It's painful to hear Jing’s abuse by her new family and her feelings of hopelessness when she's sold to become a concubine. Young listeners will cheer as Jing cleverly escapes and goes from unquestioning obedience to confidence when she chooses a fulfilling career. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2016-09-19
This hopeful coming-of-age story weaves together historical facts and spiritual/cultural beliefs to tell a tale of empowerment from the perspective of a poor, young femaleone of the lowliest members of society in medieval China.Using fitting metaphors and similesa metal wok as big as a wheel cart and fuzzas curly as tea leavesdebut author Lim effectively transports readers to a rural village in 1102 China. Jing, 11, an illiterate but intelligent farmers daughter, despises her name because her peers make fun of it. Her name, Jing (crystal), is a homonym for jing, animal spirits in the process of transforming into deities. However, Jing has bigger things to worry about when shes married off to become a 3-year-old boys wife and, more realistically, nursemaid. Over the next few years, Jing endures much hardship. She is physically and emotionally tortured by her in-laws and eventually sold to a house of courtesans. Fortunately, Jing manages to escape and returns to her home village, but not without the help of several jing. As she and her companions adventure together, Jing realizes her destiny is intrinsically intertwined with the Great Golden Huli Jing, her villages guardian fox jing. Although some of the dialogue and action may seem uncharacteristic of the time and culture, they are no distraction. Lim eloquently relates Jings journey from blindly obedient little girl to strong, confident young woman. In the end, Jing knows exactly what she wants, follows through, and finds refuge. Fantasy, history, folklore, memorable characters, and even a hint of humor converge for a great read. (Historical fantasy. 9-14)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171290863
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	01/31/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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