THE CRYSTAL RIBBON

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 [Published: SEPTEMBER 2017]