1. Ch.1 Journal Prompt:
Classmates decide to go to the home of a woman they don’t like and threaten her. The woman is a member of your family. You don’t want to go, but your classmates will cause trouble for you if you don’t. You cannot get help from anyone in authority, such as teachers, the school principal, or the police. What do you do?

2. Ch.2 Journal Prompt:
What is the purpose of Chairman Mao’s campaign to “Destroy the Four Olds”? Does this seem like a good plan? Why, or why not? How would you describe the Four Olds?

3. Ch.3 Journal Prompt:
Discuss the reasons for the student group’s criticism of Aunt Xi-wen. Do you agree with the student group? Why does Ji-li feel she has no choice but to go along?

4. Ch.4 & 5 Journal Prompt:
Discuss the reaction to the announcement that graduation is automatic. Why does Ji-li’s elation evaporate as she watches Du Hai roar with laughter? What does she realize? Do you think exams are useful?

5. Ch.6 Journal Prompt:
Discuss the dismissal of Song Po-po. Do you think Song Po-po felt exploited? Should Ji-li be happy that Song Po-po is gone?

6. Ch.7 Journal Prompt:
What are the responsibilities of the Neighborhood Dictatorship Group? What does the detention of the ragpicker tell you about Six-Fingers’ ability to make wise decisions?

7. Ch.8 Journal Prompt:
Why does Dad decide that Grandma should spend some time at the park? What does Ji-li realize as she sits with Grandma during the first visit to the park?

8. Ch.9 Journal Prompt:
Examine the Red Guards’ reasons to have struggle meetings with teacher Wei. What methods are used against her? What does her suffering achieve for China?

9. Ch.10 Journal Prompt:
How does Ji- li qualify to join the propaganda for the blackboard newspaper? Given the reaction of her classmates, why does she decide not to participate?

10. Ch.11 Journal Prompt:
Discuss Jili’s encounter with the scene-shop foreman. Why does he let Jili see Dad before talking to her? What does he mean by “not come to a good end”?

11. Ch.12 Journal Prompt:
Why do Jili and Chiang Hong envy each other? How do Jili and Chang Hong, a Red Guard, bridge the gap between them?

12. Ch.13 Journal Prompt:
What does the article say in the Workers’ Revolt? Why does Jili suspect her parents of hiding things from her rather than offer them support? What would you do if your family were a constant source of embarrassment to you?

13. Ch.14 Journal Prompt:
Why is Jili replaced at the exhibition? How does Jili react? Why won’t she respond to Bai Shan’s interest in her?

14. Ch.15 Journal Prompt:
Examine more closely Chang Hong’s claim that “the sweat of honest work will wash the black stain from your back and purify your mind so that you can follow Chairman Mao’s Revolutionary line” (233). What is work like in the rice fields? How will facing the “challenge of the double rush” help Jili remold herself?

15. Ch.16 Journal Prompt:
Based on the treatment the family receives from Thin-Face, what conclusions can you draw about the Cultural Revolution?

16. Ch.17 Journal Prompt:
What are some ways Ji-li has changed since the start of the Cultural Revolution? What are some of the changes she names?