Bound

Bound
by Donna Jo Napoli
Published by Simon & Schuster (2004)
184 pages; ages 12+

Synopsis: Xing Xing lives with her stepsister Wei Ping, as well as her stepmother. Xing Xing is a slave in her own home, constantly serving her stepmother, as well as Wei Ping, whose feet are broken and bound. While Stepmother spends the family money and tries to find a suitor for Wei Ping, Xing Xing finds comfort in the companionship of a fish. This story morphs the classic fairytale of Cinderella with ancient Chinese culture.

Genre: Fairytale; Historic Fiction; Romance; Problem

Warning: brief language and mild sexual discussions, including suggestions of rape.

Recommendations: Beast by Donna Jo Napoli; Breath by Donna Jo Napoli; Song of the Magdalene by Donna Jo Napoli; Zel by Donna Jo Napoli