The Oriole's Song: An American Girlhood in Wartime China

Rating:
Summary: Oriole's Song
Review: A beautifully written book from the unique observations of a young girl growing up in this war torn country in tumultuous times. Seeing the perspective of a "minority American child" growing up in China gives a very different look at our war filled world. Her creative use of language and mastery of the fine art of writing make this a book easy to read and well worth the time.

Rating:
Summary: Oriole's Song
Review: A beautifully written book from the unique observations of a young girl growing up in this war torn country in tumultuous times. Seeing the perspective of a "minority American child" growing up in China gives a very different look at our war filled world. Her creative use of language and mastery of the fine art of writing make this a book easy to read and well worth the time.

Rating:
Summary: Very moving personal memoir
Review: This book has done more than any other to give me a flavor of what it was like for Americans to be in China before, during and after the war. After reading it I feel as if I've sat down and listened to the author tell stories that she has lived. Perhaps the strongest point that comes through is the influence of place on the development of a child. She doesn't neglect the importance of the people who populate the place, but the constant theme is the land and how she sees it as she grows up. I only wish the pictures had printed a bit more clearly, as they are small and grainy and only give a vague idea. Her words do a fine job of painting much more vivid pictures, however.

Rating:
Summary: Unique and Memorable Story
Review: This tale is full of wisdom and insights. BJ Elder is a gifted writer. In a prose style that is spare and subtle, she paints memorable portraits of people and places and brings vividly to life some of the atrocities of war and dictatorship that she witnessed as a child.