Customer Reviews

Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is the story of a thirteen year old boy from the farms of central China who, with his widowed mother, moves to the big city, Chungking (now spelled Chongqing). Because life on the farm is so uncertain, and, in fact, rather dangerous because of banditry, Fu will be apprenticed to Tang, a master coppersmith. The book portrays a turbulent time, after the fall of Imperial government, and before a new order could arise, a time of war and disunity.

I often read this book with my sixth grade class. The author is Western (she left America for a career as a teacher and missionary in Shanghai, Chungking, and Nanking) and sometimes this bias shows through, as does her distaste for rabble-rousing young revolutionaries (early communists?), though perhaps her sentiments would be shared by many modern Chinese.

Still, the book makes fascinating reading. It introduces the reader to a China that has passed into history (thank goodness - it was such a violent time), yet many authentic cultural ideas and customs that are presented in the book persist, such as payment of debts on New Years, crooked streets catching ghosts, etc. There are even a few Chinese expressions. Some are translated into English (like FangXin - let down your heart) and others are kept in Chinese, such as Tuchun (a military governor).

The book is well-written, though quite episodic. This episodic nature can be an advantage, though, since it may be possible to shorten the book when presenting it to a class by skipping some chapters.

Also, in the back of the book is an appendix, keyed to the chapters, that explains some differences between the China of today and the China of the 1920's.

The characters are well drawn. Although there is little character development outside the main character, Young Fu does have to deal with a lot of the issues confronting a young man growing up. His adventurous spirit and willingness to embrace new ideas are contrasted with the attitudes of others around him. This openness to change (and to Western ideas, such as Western medicine)usually lead to his successes.

Some of the main issues dealt with in this book are: superstitions, the value of education, the roles of foreigners in the China of that time, the value of education, the effect of war and politics on a large, though backwater, town, as well as friendship and family.

This book is probably appropriate for very high fifth grade through ninth grade. It makes excellent material for a sixth grade class, but they may some guidance or orientation, because the life depicted is so different from our own.

The illustrations help when explaining ideas such as "Wedding Chair" or "Load-pole."

Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze is a wonderful book that I could continue reading a long time. The literature provided by Elizabeth Foreman is rich with interesting characters and a lush background. It seems like you want to get inside of the book and find out what's going on in their heads. The story is set in 1920's China after the Empress dies. There is turmoil and mayhem. Looting and theivery is expected every day. Corrupt soldiers wander the streets looking for an unexpected peasant to push around. Fu is a young boy from the countryside who has come to the city after his father dies. Fu Be Be is Young Fu's mother and she is wary about moving to the dangerous and exhilarating life of the city. Fu is an apprentice to a craftsman named Tang. Immediately Fu is thrust into a whirlwind of responsibility and he shows his soft side. Many obstacles are thrown his way, but he always keeps his humanity intact. When an American woman needs help from a burning building, Fu pushes aside the tales of them and how they can inflict evil upon contact. To see an Chinese book being written by an American is refreshing for the mind.

This book won the 1933 Newbery Medal for best contribution to American children's literature. It is the story of five years in the life of a young Chinese boy, begining at age thirteen. He and his mother, following the death of his father, travel to the city of Chungking (now, Chongqing) where he is to be an apprentice to Tang the coppersmith. This book is a vivid and well-presented account of life in central China in the 1920s and young students can use the book as a starting point to the study of twentieth-century China. The author (1892-1958) lived in China for several years, holding a number of teaching posts. An interesting approach was used at a local school. After reading this book, the following school year (6th grade!), the students read Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth."

I was sorry to see that many kids had trouble reading this book.
It's true that it may seem to bog down in spots, but only to build up to the next interesting bit that comes along.
This book is very well written, but, alas, it is not geared towards the younger set. One could compare it to, say, the Hornblower novels, or A Single Shard...
Perhaps the problem is with the Chinese culture being so different, but the main thrust of the book is a rags-to-riches theme, much like Horatio Alger's books, but not so simplistic.
People who have read the other works I mentioned should enjoy this book with little or no problem. But I know that there are cultures which I don't want to read about, maybe the Orient isn't your cup of tea (pun?)...
I wish it had been longer, as thick as "Shogun" or something...

He had many problems in this book and it was great wondering how he would come out. The only draw back was the Chinese language. At least there was a glossary in the back! I think it had a nice plot and the problems were believable. Also, the author had a good way of describing things that we probably have never seen. For example: The five dollar watch. Over-all, I thought that it was a wonderful bookk to read, although it was hard to follow at some points.

I had to read this book for school. Personally, I thought that it was pretty good, but it is kind of hard to start. Also, I noticed quite a few generalizations about Chinese people in the book. I myself would recommend this for people who are 12 years old or above, because younger children may get tired of it.

Great book with huge insight into Chinese thinking and culture. Full of adventure and drama, with a rich cultural background. Very educational, with a focus on character issues! Definitely recommended for teens and adults or a challenge-loving younger student.

Young Fu, 13 has just arrived in the Chinese city of Chungking from the country. In between working at the copper shop where he's an apprentice and studying with the teacher that lives above him, he manages to squeeze in adventure such as, cheating the fire dragon of it's prey, saving silver from the Ban-keh, and rescuing a fellow worker from the Ya-men.

Fu leaves the country and heads to the city to serve as an apprentice to a coppersmith for seven years. Being in the city is a new experience for him. He must learn how to deal with the cruel remarks of his fellow apprentices and how to handle money, to stop thieves and to avoid those who would take advantage of him in the market.

Despite the book's old publication date, this is still a fabulous read.

Set in the turbulence of the early 20th Century this lengthy YA book presents China in political, social and cultural upheaval. The author, who was personally familiar with life there, depicts the gradual coming-of-age of her teenage protagonist, Young Fu. At 13 the rural farm boy arrives with his mother to start a new life in the great city of Chunking. Apprenticed in advance to a firm but kindly coppersmith named Tang Young Fu starts learning the basics of that artistic trade, while Fu Bebe clings to time- honored traditions (the Four Olds)--consistently reproaching new ways of speech, dress, behavior and transportation. To ensure the favor of the gods (one in the kitchen, and one in a street shrine) she spends precious cash on incense.

Young Fu grapples with many adolescent challenges during the next three years: bandits and beggars (both of whom have their own Guilds which demand extortion for protection), hazing of new apprentices and country folk in general, marauding soldiers, a river in flood, a hospital in flames, buying from slick merchants, gambling with professionals, and the greatest of all evils: opium smuggling. As he matures over the fifteen chapters to near manhood Fu manages to impress his demanding but fair master with his honesty, creativity, ingenuity, courage and morality. Even as a youth this resilient fellow can claim a Foreign lady and an elderly scholar as his Friends.

Readers are introduced to Chinese words and customs, as well as snippets of Chinese history and many proverbs which reflect centuries of wisdom and observation of human nature. Young Fu's world experiences the turmoil of the Chinese Nationalists who are grimly determined to reform the entire country, by wresting power from rival warlords. For better or for worse, it is up to readers to decide. A glossary of cultural terms and extensive notes
supplement the actual text of this book: YOUNG FU proves an
excellent introduction to Asian YA literature and won the Newbery Medal in 1932. This interesting and enjoyable book should appeal to young adults aged 13-18 and students of the Far East.