A Girl Named Faithful Plum

The True Story of a Dancer from China and How She Achieved Her Dream

Kids, People and Places, Non-Fiction, Asia, Biography, Literary, Beautiful and Interesting, Performing Arts
Cover of the book A Girl Named Faithful Plum by Richard Bernstein, Random House Children's Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Richard Bernstein ISBN: 9780375984341
Publisher: Random House Children's Books Publication: September 13, 2011
Imprint: Knopf Books for Young Readers Language: English
Author: Richard Bernstein
ISBN: 9780375984341
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Publication: September 13, 2011
Imprint: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Language: English

In 1977, when Zhongmei Lei was eleven years old, she learned that the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy was having open auditions. She'd already taken dance lessons, but everyone said a poor country girl would never get into the academy, especially without any connections in the Communist Party of the 1970s. But Zhongmei, whose name means Faithful Plum, persisted, even going on a hunger strike, until her parents agreed to allow her to go. She traveled for three   days and two nights to get to Beijing and eventually beat out 60,000 other girls for one of 12 coveted spots. But getting in was easy compared to staying in, as Zhongmei soon learned. Without those all-important connections she was just a little girl on her own, far away from family. But her determination, talent, and sheer force of will were not something the teachers or other students expected, and soon it was apparent that Zhongmei was not to be underestimated.

Zhongmei became a famous dancer, and founded her own dance company, which made its New York debut when she was in just her late 20s.  In A Girl Named Faithful Plum, her husband and renowned journalist, Richard Bernstein, has written a fascinating account of one girl's struggle to go from the remote farmlands of China to the world's stages, and the lengths she went to in order to follow her dream.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1977, when Zhongmei Lei was eleven years old, she learned that the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy was having open auditions. She'd already taken dance lessons, but everyone said a poor country girl would never get into the academy, especially without any connections in the Communist Party of the 1970s. But Zhongmei, whose name means Faithful Plum, persisted, even going on a hunger strike, until her parents agreed to allow her to go. She traveled for three   days and two nights to get to Beijing and eventually beat out 60,000 other girls for one of 12 coveted spots. But getting in was easy compared to staying in, as Zhongmei soon learned. Without those all-important connections she was just a little girl on her own, far away from family. But her determination, talent, and sheer force of will were not something the teachers or other students expected, and soon it was apparent that Zhongmei was not to be underestimated.

Zhongmei became a famous dancer, and founded her own dance company, which made its New York debut when she was in just her late 20s.  In A Girl Named Faithful Plum, her husband and renowned journalist, Richard Bernstein, has written a fascinating account of one girl's struggle to go from the remote farmlands of China to the world's stages, and the lengths she went to in order to follow her dream.

More books from Random House Children's Books

Cover of the book A Pony for a Princess (Disney Princess) by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Wild Girl by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Cracking the AP Calculus AB Exam, 2020 Edition by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Little Genie: A Puff of Pink by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Starsight by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Confessions of a Former Bully by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Punk Farm on Tour by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Journey into the Mind (Disney/Pixar Inside Out) by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Harriet Spies Again by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book The Big Battle (Disney Big Hero 6) by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Take Your Octopus to School Day by Richard Bernstein
Cover of the book Akiko on the Planet Smoo by Richard Bernstein
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy