Red Kite, Blue Kite

Title: Red Kite, Blue Kite
Author: Ji-li Jiang
Illustrator: Greg Ruth
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: 2014 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner
Grade Level: K - 5

Tai Shan loved to fly his red and blue kite on the rooftop with Baba, his father. However, because of the Cultural Revolution, Baba was sent to work in a labor camp while Tai Shan was sent to live with Granny Wang in a small village nearby. Tai Shan dreamed of going back home with his father and being free to fly their kites. Baba walked for hours every Sunday to fly kites with Tai Shan. One day, Baba said he would not be able to visit for a while so they would use a kite signal where Tai Shan would fly his red kite in the morning and Baba would fly his blue kite at sunset every day. They communicated this way for a while until Baba's blue kite did not appear for three days. Baba had escaped the camp to tell Tai Shan that he was being moved to a different labor camp and would need Tai Shan to fly his blue kite in his stead. Baba was once again taken away and for months, Tai Shan flew the kites while waiting for his father's return. One day, he woke up to a sky filled with red and blue kites and saw his village friends with his father flying his blue kite again. There are few books about China's Cultural Revolution that are suitable for younger children. It also has a great message that even when physically separated, loved ones still share a greater bond. I would use this book to introduce students to the Cultural Revolution which is outside of American history. We could also discuss different forms of communication and make our own communication system.

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