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2002
finalists.

2002 Hackmatack

Children's Choice Book Award/Prix littéraire - le choix de jeunes

This exquisite and moving short novel brings to life the world of China in the time of the last Emperor. All citizens had to submit to the will of the Monarch - for men, this meant shaving their heads and wearing a single pigtail. Women were to totally submit to the will of the men in their lives and the seeking of any education or independence was forbidden. Perhaps cruelest of all was the tradition that, at the age of four, girls had to endure the excruciating pain of having their feet bound - the toes bent back toward the heel and tight bandages applied to keep the feet from growing. Tiny feet were a sign of beauty and would ensure a girl a good marriage and thus a good future, although they had to endure years of constant pain and permanently misshapen feet.

Into this society is born White Lily. Her childhood is carefree until the terrible day when her feet must be bound. But White Lily wants more than what society has dictated, and with the help of her brother she eventually finds a way to both free her feet and realize her dreams, teaching her family that some change can lead to a better life.

Foot binding was not abolished in China until 1949, and the author's own Great-Aunt had suffered from it.

An unforgettable story for ages 9 and up.