Chu Ju's House facts for kids

Chu Ju's House is a children's novel written by Gloria Whelan. It was first published in 2004. This book tells the story of a brave fourteen-year-old girl named Chu Ju. She lives in China shortly after a time called the Cultural Revolution. The story shows how Chu Ju makes a big sacrifice for her family.

The Story of Chu Ju's House

Chu Ju lives in China with her parents and grandmother. Their home is near the Gan River. When Chu Ju is fourteen, her mother becomes pregnant. Everyone in the family hopes the new baby will be a boy.

Family Rules in China

At this time in China, there was a rule called the "Two-Child Policy." This rule meant that families could only have two children. Also, an old tradition said that families needed to have a son. Sons were important for carrying on the family name and helping with farm work.

A Difficult Choice

When Chu Ju's baby sister is born, she is a girl. Chu Ju's father and grandmother decide that the new baby must be sent away. They believe this will make room for a future son. Chu Ju's mother is very sad and begs to keep her baby. Chu Ju quickly falls in love with her new little sister, Hua. She knows she must do something to protect her.

Chu Ju's Brave Sacrifice

To save her baby sister, Chu Ju makes a huge decision. She secretly runs away from home. This way, her parents will only have one daughter left, her new baby sister, Hua. Chu Ju hopes that by leaving, Hua will be allowed to stay with the family.

Life Away from Home

Chu Ju begins a new life on her own. Her first job is on a fishing boat. She cleans fish and mends nets. After that, she finds work with silkworms. This job is very hard, and Chu Ju and the other girls are treated badly. Chu Ju is the only one who knows how to write. Her parents paid for her to go to school, which was unusual for girls then. She writes a letter to protest their unfair treatment. Things get a little better for the girls, but Chu Ju loses her job.

A New Family and Home

Next, Chu Ju meets a kind woman named Han Na. Han Na hires Chu Ju to help her with her rice paddies. Rice paddies are fields where rice is grown in water. Han Na grows to love Chu Ju like her own daughter. When Han Na passes away, she leaves her land to Chu Ju. Chu Ju now has her own home and a way to earn a living.

Returning Home

Four years after she left, Chu Ju decides to visit her family. Her parents are overjoyed to see her again. Chu Ju is very relieved to find that her little sister, Hua, is safe and was not sent away. While Chu Ju was gone, her mother had another baby, another girl named Nu Hai. This time, the family decides to keep Nu Hai, even if it means they won't have a son. After her visit, Chu Ju returns to her rice paddies. She is determined to save money to pay for her sisters' educations.