Lady of Ch'iao Kuo: Warrior of the South, Southern China, A.D. 531 [Hardcover]

Laurence Yep (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001 | Age Range: 9 and up | Lexile Measure: 700L (What's this?)

The Royal Diaries proudly presents two-time Newbery Honor author Laurence Yep, whose stunning diary of sixteen-year-old Lady of Ch¹iao Kuo takes readers on a remarkable adventure to Southern China in the sixth century A.D., where Ch¹iao Kuo, a born leader called Red Bird, is courageous and keenly intelligent.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Princess Red Bird, 16-year-old daughter of the Hsien king in 6th century Southern China, has been born into a world of dispute and violence. When she is sent to a Chinese colony to be educated, she must contend with the disdainful attitudes of her hosts, who consider the Hsien to be savages, even as both the Chinese and the Hsien are at constant risk of attack from the truly savage neighboring people, the Dog Heads. In reality, the princess is a fair and wise leader, even at a young age, with a brilliant mind for military stratagems. Her leadership skills are put to the test when war breaks out and the Dog Heads begin to move in.

Prolific Newbery Honor author Laurence Yep (Dragon's Gate) contributes a remarkable tale to the Royal Diaries series. This fictionalized account of the real-life princess will introduce young readers to a long-ago land with a fascinating culture and edge-of-seat adventures, and will certainly inspire some to delve deeper into Chinese history. As in all the titles in the series, a section in the back provides context and historical background. (Ages 8 to 14) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8 This entry in the series covers four months in the life of Princess Redbird, a member of the royal family of the Hsien people. Decades before, China had invaded their land and now the Hsien live in an uneasy peace with the invaders. With an eye to the future of his people, Redbird's father sends the 16-year-old to a Chinese school to learn the language and the customs of the Chinese, and also to be a representative of her people. Once there she also learns the joy of reading while studying under Master Chen. Her schooling is interrupted when a neighboring tribe, the Dog Heads, begins attacks on both the Hsien and the Chinese. The attacks escalate and all Princess Redbird's knowledge is required to help set up an alliance between the two to defeat the invaders. Before the Hsien forces triumph, many are killed, including Master Chen and Redbird's father. She, however, has discovered a talent for diplomacy and the foresight and practicality to look ahead for the good of her people. Characters are well drawn, especially Redbird and Master Chen. Historical notes are appended describing China of the sixth century and the real Lady of Ch'iao Kuo (a title bestowed years later by the Chinese). This worthy addition to this series features a feisty heroine who must take on adult responsibilities too soon.

Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; First Printing edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439164834
• ISBN-13: 978-0439164832
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laurence Yep has been fascinated with tales of sibling rivalry from the day he was born. His older brother, Tom, chose his name Laurence - after a saint who died a particularly gruesome death. Laurence has been trying to get even ever since. Laurence Yep now lives in Pacific Grove, California, with his wife and is one of children's literature's most respected authors. His award-winning titles include Newbery Honor Books Dragonwings and Dragon's Gate.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Long but interesting April 4, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

When I first got this book I expected bamboo, chopsticks, honorable monks and all that other stereotype Chinese stuff. But I saw that life in sixth century China was not that way. The Chinese were beyond bamboo but the Hsien people to the south weren't. The Hsien who lived in Southern China at the time lived a peaceful life in the forests until the jealous Dog Heads (who I think were from India or Vietnam) came and the Chinese help them. The Hsien send their Princess Red Bird to become a liasion and makes a clever plan to defeat the Dog Head Elephants. This Clever Book-loving Princess records in Five Scrolls her life living with her Father the king and then later her brother King Little Tiger who was a royal pain like this other Chinese rich colonist girl who ends up living with Red Bird. But I think lot's of kids who love books can relate to Princess Red Bird. I hope you like it as much as I have.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the Royal Diaries collection and Laurence Yep fan November 11, 2001

By Athena

Format:Hardcover

The year is 531 A.D., southern China. A sixteen year old Princess Red Bird (later Lady of Ch'iao Kuo) of the Hsien people is living through a time when China is slowly gaining back power and where land is always fought over. Red Bird is an educated princess as she is sent often to learn chinese and academics from a chinese colonist family lead by Master Chen. As she is the only one in her family who can speak and understand chinese, she is imperative for diaplomatic missions as an interpreter. As the Dog Heads, an enemy people of the Hsien and Chinese, start attacking, Princess Red Bird must help her people survive. She wants to join two cultures in an alliance, the Hsien and the Chinese. With her effort and wise, natural leadership skills she will shape her people.

I might be biased when I say I love this book as I am from Southern Asian descent. However, Laurence Yep gives his smooth historical fiction effort as usual and if you have a penchant for his books, it's a definite read. For everyone and the Royal Diaries fan, this shouldn't be a miss. It is far more longer than most of the other Diaries and has more plot incidents than many of the others. A very educational read for anyone interested in asian history. It's a definite recommended read. Go for it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Girl Looks For Peace April 22, 2002

By Christie V.

Format:Hardcover

This book is about a Hsien Princess who goes through troubled times. She is sent to a Chinese settlement to learn how to speak, read, and write Chinese from her teacher, Master Chen. At the town she is named Princess Redbird, but is regarded to as a savage. Soon a hostile tribe called the Dog Heads start attacking the Hsien and the Chinese colonists. Princess Redbird is called upon to be an interpreter.They form an alliance but soon find there is a traitor in thier midst; For Princess Redbird's father's group is ambushed and killed. Her brother, Little Tiger, is named king. Soon the Chinese settlement was overrun by the Dog Heads. She sneaks there to find her Chinese family had been enslaved or killed, including her beloved teacher, Master Chen. Princess Redbird has to collect the broken pieces, defeat the Dog Heads, and uncover the traitor. During all this she finds time to read. She reads about Master Meng and how he describes peace, though it doesn't seem real to her. In her reading she was able to come up with an idea to defeat the Dog Heads. All she needed was careful planning and a little bit of magic. You must read this book to see how the brave princess defeated the Dog Heads and bring peace to her people and the Chinese. I never knew there had been a South China monarchy. I also didn't know there had been feuding tribs in South China. This book is a great learning source and I would recommend it to any reader.