76. Mei Li, by Thomas Handforth

 

76. Mei Li, by Thomas Handforth


 

Handforth, T. (1938). Mei Li. NY: Doubleday & Company. 

The story takes place in North China.  The main character, Mei Li is preparing their home for New Years Day when The Kitchen God will come at midnight to every family in China to tell them what they must do during the coming year. Her brother San Yu was preparing to go to the New Years Fair in the city.  Mei Li sneaks out of her home to go with him.  Mei Li has her three lucky pennies and her three lucky marbles.  On their way into the city they meet a beggar. Mei Li gives one of her lucky pennies to her. They arrive at the Great Square at lunchtime.  She takes her second lucky penny to buy firecrackers but is too afraid to pop them. She meets circus performers, a black bear.  Under the Bridge of Wealth was a tiny bell and under that was a priest who said, “ring the bell with a penny, and you will have money for all the year.”  She is afraid so she allows San Yu to throw her last lucky penny and he hits the bell. They then visit a toy shop.  Outside she sees a hawk trying to get her brother’s thrush.  She hides under a basket.  Her Uncle finds her and he, Mei Li and San Yu jump onto some camels and race to the city doors before they close.  The beggar girl holds them open until they are out of the city.  They finally make it home.  That night the Kitchen God appears. He reassures Mei Li that this was her house and palace.

There are not many resources for this book.  I’m sure it is because of its age. This would be a good story to use for Chinese New Years and discussing other cultures. It has an outdated theme of girls have courage, too.  In the time period it was written, women were still considered second class citizens by many. 

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