Ying Chang Compestine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ying Chang Compestine
Compestine in 2014
Born	張瀛 (1963-03-08) March 8, 1963 (age 62) Wuhan, Hubei, China
Occupation	Author
Language	English
Alma mater	Central China Normal University University of Colorado Boulder
Genre	Fiction, children's books, cookbooks, historical fiction, cultural studies
Notable works	Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (2007)
Spouse	Greg M. Compestine
Children	1
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	張瀛
Simplified Chinese	张瀛
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhāng Yíng Wade–Giles Chang1 Ying2

Ying Chang Compestine was born on March 8, 1963. She is a Chinese American author, speaker, TV host, and chef. She has written more than 27 books. These include Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (novel), which is about her childhood in China. She also wrote Morning Sun in Wuhan, a novel for middle schoolers.

About Ying Chang Compestine

Ying Chang Compestine grew up in Wuhan, China. Her family was seen as "bourgeois" (meaning they had more money or property). Because of this, the Red Guards (a group during the Chinese Cultural Revolution) took their belongings. Her father was even put in jail twice. Due to these hard times, Ying was sent to live with her grandparents.

She studied English and American literature in China. She also taught English there. Later, she worked as an interpreter for China's earthquake bureau.

In 1990, Compestine earned a master's degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado Boulder. She met her husband before finishing school. Before becoming a famous author, she taught sociology at different universities. She taught in both the U.S. and China until 1998.

Her Work and Career

After moving to the United States, Compestine taught sociology and writing. She taught at universities in both the U.S. and China. She has won awards for her teaching. These include the Master Teacher Award from Front Range Community College and the International School of Beijing.

Compestine has hosted cooking shows on Chinese TV. She has also appeared on channels like the Food Network and Discovery Channel. She was a food editor for Body + Soul magazine. She also writes for other magazines like Cooking Light and EatingWell. Compestine is also a spokesperson for Nestle and Celestial Seasonings.

Her Writing Journey

Compestine started writing after her son was born. Her first book was a cookbook called Secrets of Fat-Free Chinese Cooking (1997). She began writing children's books after her parents passed away. She missed China and her family very much. Since then, she has written many books for kids and teens.

Her book Revolution is Not a Dinner Party (2007) is based on her own life. It tells about growing up in China during a difficult time. This book has won many awards. It was named one of the Best Books for Young Readers by the American Library Association in 2008.

In 2014, Compestine wrote Secrets of The Terra Cotta Soldier with her son, Vinson.

Her recent picture book, Growing Up Under a Red Flag (2024), shares her childhood memories. It tells about her life during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This book has received great reviews from many places. It was also chosen as a Gold Standard Selection by the Junior Library Guild.

Another recent picture book is Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu (2024). It has also received good reviews. It was featured on California TV stations and chosen by Common Sense Media.

Her latest middle-grade novel is Morning Sun in Wuhan (2022). It has been praised by The San Francisco Chronicle and The Mercury News. The New York Public Library named it a Best Book of the Year.

Her young adult novel, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts, is being made into an animated TV series.

She has two new books coming soon. One is The Chinese New Year Helper. The other is an untitled Chinese comic cookbook.

Speaking Engagements

Compestine is a popular speaker and chef. She has given talks on cruise ships, at resorts, and on private jets.

She speaks on many different topics. These include how to overcome challenges, based on her life in China. She also talks about healthy eating and cooking. She shares tips on writing and publishing books.

Her main speaking topics are:

• Inspirational talks
• Healthy eating and cooking
• Writing programs, including her Writer-in-Residence Program. In this program, she works with students and teachers. She helps them get excited about reading and writing.

Awards