A Smile Among Thorns: Xiao Cong (《荆棘丛中的微笑：小丛》)
Yang Xiaoyan (text), Hu Tianshui (ill.)
21st Century Publishing Group, China, 2020
ISBN9787556847433
About the author:
A native of Nanjing, Jiangsu, Yang Xiaoyan is an elementary school English teacher and children's literature writer. She has penned more than 20 books for young readers, including Things about the 5th Grade 4th Class, Green and His Fruits, and Ai Dongxi. Her fantastic storytelling won her the "Reading Friends Cup" Children's Literature Award, the Bing Xin Children's Literature Award, among others.
Abstract:
Xiao Cong's family lived in Nanjing. Although they were not rich, their life was stable and happy. As the war heated up, they were forced to move to Chongqing.In Chongqing, life gradually got on the right track, and Xiao Cong started to fall for her new city. Until one day, another bombing shook the city, Xiao Cong took his younger siblings and hid in the air-raid shelter...
Jury statement:
“The story is set during China’s War against Japan. Through a panting plot and vivid characters, the readers will find themselves immersed in a world where the fate of the protagonists areskilfullylinked with that of anation. The highs-and-lows of a family become an integral part of the nation’s history. In this emotionally powerful story full of twists and turns, we get to know the History, to respect it and to learn it while cherishing the peaceful and tranquil life we now are granted with”.
