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*Certain emails contacting Adeline may be posted on the website, if you don’t want it posted you must so say so in your message.
Dear Adeline
I am a 11-year old boy i live in Nashville Tennessee
I love your book Chinese Cinderella.
I felt really sad for how life was back then.
I don’t like Naing she was very mean.
So i home you have a better life in California.
Your reader
Tony
Dear Adeline
I love your book Chinese Cinderella.
I felt really sad for how life was back then.
I don’t like Naing she was very mean.
So i home you have a better life in California.
Your reader
Tony
Dear Teacher:
Thank you for your book and teaching me your language. Through a private message I told you that I bought 6 copies of Fallen Leaves for my closest of friends and family to read. What I did not realize was that my sister in law had a mother just like your stepmom. When I sent her the book it resonated with her. She sent it to her sister. There are so many people that you have helped without even knowing them.
I thank you for your book, courage, and kindness to share your story and culture. It is my dream that I learn Chinese and someday visit your birth country.
Hi Dr. Mah, i read your book falling leaves, i was so moved by your story, as i read every chapter, it gives me hope and courage to live, i want to read your other books but i am now in saudi arabia working as a nurse, its not available here. when i get home to philippines next year i will look for them. Thank you.
Dear Adeline Yeh Mah,
I am a 11-year old Chinese living in Singapore. I absolutely love your books especially Falling Leaves! I am currently reading Falling Leaves and this is my 4th time reading it. Your books are amazing, no kidding.
Regards,
Isabelle
Dear Adeline
I have just read both Falling Leaves and Watching the Tree. I really enjoyed them both so much. Although English I have always had an immense draw to all things Chinese and have visited both HK and mainland China and absolutely loved them and can’t wait to go back again. I did start to learn Mandarin but had to leave the course unfortunately. My chinese doctor helps teach me some phrases but I would love to be included in your chinese lessons.
Many thanks, and I am so glad you found your happiness
Joan
Dr. Mah, you have given me such courage with my everyday life. I know you were sent here by God to give the inspiration to us to live with hope with faith that everything in this world is attainable just by believing. I have already bought your falling leaves and is planning to by your Watching the tree. I know someday no matter what happens I could achieve my dreams. You truly have given me hope despite of all the horrible things that is happening to me I could still find happiness behind it. It couldn’t be replaced of any material in this world. You one of my favorite writers. I hope I could also be one even though I am taking different profession I know I could do it. Thank you so much. You are a blessing to me given by God.
Dear Dr.Mah,
I missed a lesson last night as I did not receive anything in my email, I would really love to continue.
Yours Truly,
Kerstin
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
I liked your book, Chinese Cinderella; a true story of an unwanted daughter and I look forward to reading more of your books.
I was really sad about your life and how you had to go back to Tianjin.
I hope you like your life nowadays.
I was just wondering if I can learn Chinese?
Can you please comment back
Dogus, Everyone can learn Chinese. Including you. However, you need to put in time and effort. Let me teach you. Adeline
Hi, I would like to learn Chinese! Please email me
As a young girl I really enjoyed your books and I appreciate you offering to help us with Chinese as it’s such a complex and expensive thing to learn these days.
Kymberley,
My foundation launched the website on July 1st, 2010. I already have received emails from western readers who are writing to me in Chinese! Please visit and subscribe if you wish to join the fun of learning Chinese for free!
Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Lots of people will write to you and say oh i love the book but i truly love it it made me cry in some parts. Niang was very cruel and there is no doubt about that.It is funny she said you would amount to nothing but you became famous and very truly admired. As for her, she was a creul and heartless woman.I have just finished your book Chinese Cinderella and it was a very nice book. My mother has just ordered the book falling leaves. I know it is for adults and i am only 10 years old but i have already read chinese cinderella and if Falling leaves is based on it i must read it.
Dear Adeline
Today I received my 1st lesson by email, my computer was different from the different settings there. Can you pleaase email me ASAP and help me so I can catch up please!
Thanks so much
Chloe
Dear Chloe, Thank you for emailimg me. Is your computer MacKintosh or PC? If it’s PC, please tell me what program you are using, is it XP or Windows 7? The instructions were written for Windows XP using PC. I will be posting instruction for Mackintosh and Windows 7 on my website.
Adeline
Dear Adeline
It took me and father 2 hours to figure it out thank you we managed though, the things the intruuctions said were different to what my laptop and home computer said on it, but yes we managed.
Thank you your so kind for teaching me and others your language
Chloe
Dear Adeline,
I’m sorry for posting a silly comment. I dare not say anything because I feel very ashamed. Every mistake I do, I can’t accept it and keep on insulting myself. When I’m embarrassed, I can’t swallow it at all. I try to change for the better, but it never works. For the past weeks, I found a bad thing and a coincidence.
The bad thing is, I got impersonated online on Facebook. This upset me, because normally when I get bullied, is always verbal and it never went online till now. I reported it, but I didn’t know how much damage this caused. I feel really upset seeing that my classmates added this fake profile. It feels like no one in class understands me at all. An coincidence I found online, was a manga that had the main character who has a personality just like me. It’s just a coincidence though.
Lastly, I had to say I enjoyed reading your books and hope to read more from you. I’m really sorry.
Yours sincerely,
Ya Hui
PS: Regarding the Chinese language thing, do you plan to use traditional Chinese characters or simple ones? I have been failing Chinese badly(well, not THAT bad, but I often either just pass and fail by 10-20 marks.) in school since primary school, due to the fact I speak English more and despite speaking Chinese at home. Because in Singapore, they don’t teach traditional characters. I really, really hope to improve in my Chinese because my classmates like to slap me in the face that my accent in Chinese is like an English person trying to speak Chinese.
Ya Hui, I will teach simplifired characters. Adeline
Feel really sorry for you Ya Hui. When I learned Japanese last year, I was the same as you. I didn’t speak Japanese at home because my family didn’t understand it. Instead of just classmates bullying me, I have my family as well. I have Facebook as well and I sometimes get bullied online. I also enjoyed reading your books Adeline. I didn’t hardly read at all before that.
Dear Adeline,
I love your books, they are so meaningful. I try to model myself around you, because you are my idol. If you would teach me Chinese I would be really grateful.
Thank you,
Lili Mae
Dear Lili, I will teach you. Adeline
Dear Mrs Yen Mah
I am a big fan of your novels. I have read; Chinese Cinderella, Falling Leaves, Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society and The Mystery of the Song Dynasty Painting (the last one I read in one day, I couldn’t put it down). I was wondering if you were going to write another CC novel. I’ve even read The Secret Dragon Socitey so many times I practically know it by heart (it’s a little embarrasing to admit). Chinese Cindrella and Falling Leaves made me cry, and that’s never happened before. Thankyou so much for writing these stories and sharing them with the world (I live in Australia). You are truly an inspiration, and congratulations on all your success.
I’ve read Chinese Cinderella and Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society only a few times and I still remember them. Niang was very mean and your books reminded me of my family and life at home. Although your view on school is very different than what I think. My life is very hard at the moment as I have someone blackmailing me.
Dear Adeline ,
I read your book for school, considering I am in the 7th grade now and I really enjoyed it. The thing I just wanted to ask you what happened to your stepmother and father? Did your brothers ever apologise for giving you such a horrible drink? When you were older, did you ever approach your niang and fight back? I’m in Australia by the way, which is far from America. I feel so sorry for you how people could be so inconsiderate. I guess it was nice knowing that even an adult, (who once faced the perils of childhood), understands how it feels. I have a loving mother and father but at school I feel small because all the older girls and boys are reallly mean to us. I love writing too! I’m sure I’m not nearly as great as you, but I just entered a children’s picture book competition. My book was about children of all different backgrounds anxious for acceptance and love. Hope you have a great life in America.
P.S How old are you know?
Dear Jennifer, Keep writing and good luck. I am probably older than your grandmother now but inside, I’m still the little girl longing for acceptance. Just like you.
Adeline
Dear Adeline,
I enjoyed your book Chinese Cinderella very much. I bought it yesterday and finished it this morning. I am wondering what happened to your evil stepmother…What a vile woman. I hope I could never treat another human being the way she treated you. I have to place blame with your father as well for allowing the mistreatment. I am glad you listened to ye ye and fulfilled your potential. I am a huge fan of Pearl Buck’s books, and have always been intrigued by the Chinese culture and people. Thank you for sharing your story.
Regards, Elaine Spitzer
Oh thats great, and it was in Falling Leaves? Maybe I missed that part or forgot about it. I might as well read it again.
Adeline,
I am 13 and i have just finished reading you book Chinese Cinderella for school! It is the most touching book I have ever read!When I read this it really made me appreciate what i have in life. Your book has built me up when I have felt down and it is very comforting.I am looking forward to reading your other books such as Falling Leaves!I am ready to read it now!! Thank you so much for sharing your life and letting everyone know how to be strong willed and never give up on yourself! And to also cherish what you have! I am so touched by your words and ready to read more!
Dear Dr. Mah:
I wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your book “Fallen Leaves.” I think you are a courageous and pioneering individual to endure what you had to with your family and stepmother. Life definitely dealt you some tough times but I think you emerged that much stronger from it. I wish you continued success in your writing career.
do peole still have bound feet?
No. Banned by Sun Yat Sen in 1911 AD.
Adeline
Ni Hao Adeline, I just want to ask if you have ever found you dads will? If you want to reply thats fine but if you don’t want to, thats fine as well
Yes! Please read Falling Leaves.
Adeline
Dear Adeline,
I am 11 years old and i have read 3 of your books. They’re really wonderful and I really love them! I’ve read them countless times but they still interest me! My class is using your book’ The Mystery of the Song Dynasty Painting’ in our literature module.The whole class comprising of 42 pupils has already bought your book! I hope you can teach me chinese as I’m barely passing my chinese. Thanks!
Dear Kylynn, I will teach you. Adeline
Hi Dr. Yen Mah,
My name is Kerstin Tieng, a Chinese born & raised in the Philippines and now residing in Canada…I have not studied Chinese for 28 years, and now I’m hoping to be able to learn some. I would really love to have you teach me…I’m sure I will never find a better teacher than you. I have read three of your books,
and I must say that most of the proverbs you have used in your book “A thousand pieces of Gold” applies in my life…and I’m really mesmerized reading it…I felt like I was reliving the past…Thank you Dr. Mah for those wonderful books
Your Admirer,
Kerstin
Dear Kerstin, I will teach you. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Thank you for answering my request…I will certainly enjoy learning chinese with you.
Very Best,
Kerstin
Dearest Adeline,
I just want to really thank you for publishing your book Chinese Cinderella. I do realize that you receive tons and tons of fan mail a day, and really, my message is really no different than any other. But I just wanted to let you know that your book really spoke to me and it does relate to my life at this age of 15. It is really strange how through your books, I am reading the life of a 8-14 year old but I am actually responding to a wife and a mother. It really shows the lengths you went to achieve peace and happiness.
I also dream of becoming a writer one day, even though my mother doesn’t approve. And I was just wondering how you got started? Because CC is written in first person perspective, and I really wouldn’t know how to start. How long exactly did it take you to pre-plan and write it?
I’ve been meaning to write sooner, I just wasn’t sure about how to contact you. Words really cannot describe how thankful I am for your inspiration.
And lastly, this is a request for learning Chinese if you still do have time. Thank you
Dear Sylvie, I will teach you. Adeline
I love your books very much. I stumbles on one of your books at the school library. And after reading it i stumbled on one of your other books. Is you don’t mind me asking are you close to your siblings or is there still some bitterness. You should keep on writting these amazing books. And who is your favorite author.
Hello Mdm Adeline,
I am a student in Singapore.I am now 11 and I have read two of your books, chinese cinderella and cc and the secret dragon society. I was first introduced to the book was by a book review in a magazine. But I took no notice about it until five years later.I saw your book at a school book sale. I remembered the review and immediately bought it. I would also like you to teach me more about chinese as I am already in Higher Chinese class so it won’t look good for me if teacher asks me to write a complicated passage and I do not know how. Please…………………… I am desperate.
Jasmine, I will teach you. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
i love reading your book Chinese cinderella and the secret dragon socitey, it has also been loved by many of my friends who have decied to read it from my enjoyment of reading it aswell. this book has helped with a war assingmtent i have done on ww2 around the world. thankyou for writning such an amazing book. I got caught in every word and have read 4 times over and over as it has been such a thrill to take in.
I cannot belive that you had to experience some of the worlds most horrible devastaions. but thank you again for writing this amazing book it will be the best book i have read in forever.
thank you,
Kailtyn.
I think your books are FABULOUS
Adeline,
I first picked up Chinese Cinderella without noticing anything special about it, to be honest, but as I started to read it, it grew on me. I find it as a major inspiration for me – even if my life does not match yours – but it gave me the awe knowing that you forced that painful dread of wrighting it away and contuined to publish it. It is now one of those books that I’ve memorized page numbers so I can re-read them at night before I go to bed. That book truly opened my eyes and made me realize that one little spat at school, or with my mother, or even a break up isn’t the end, and that it could always get worse, or better if I believe so.
Thank you so much for publishing that book, it sits proudly as one of my favorite books today.
Shawnee
Adeline,
I would just like to say thank you for the many ways you have touched my life. At the age of ten I picked up your book, finding the title more appealing than any of the others located on the shelf. I had no idea what inspiration I was purchasing. At the time, I could not fully comprehend your heart-wrenching tales. It was several years later that I came accross Falling Leaves. I am now sixteen years old, and I rediscovered both of your writings the other day whilst going through my old books. After devouring both books once again, they have taken on a deeper and more lasting meaning that I was not capable of feeling at the tender age of ten. I cannot thank you enough for sharing with the world the hardships of your life, and would like to send my tardy, yet hopefully meaningful, consolations in regards to Ye Ye, your Aunt Baba, and PLT. I would also like to thank you for helping me through the minor issues of Middle and High School. Without your writings I would have severely overrated the pointless troubles and ponderings of my comfortable lifestyle. Thank you bunches for being such a thoughtful and meaningful role model, and congratulations on the triumphs you have made despite the many obstacles in your life.
With Love,
Kellie Renee.
Dear Adeline,
I’ve just finished reading your book “Falling Leaves”, after readig “Chinese Cinderella”. I’m so touched by your story that I can’t stop thinking of you and your family. I’ve recommended your books to my close friends and family, specially to the young people, like my 27-year-old daughter and teen-age nieces. You are an example of determination and kindness. Your story also shows that seeking knowledge and generosity brings fullfilment and happiness. I’m writing you from Salvador/Brazil. My native language is Portuguese. I wish that you keep writing. Thank you for sharing your feelings and opening up your experience. What’s your next book? Congratulations.
Hello Adeline,
I read Chinese Cinderella 3 years ago & was looking up my local library for “Falling leaves” and stumble on your website.
i am 13 and am very interested to learn mandarin and would like you to help me.
Thank you.
Joanna
Cambridge, UK
Joanna, I will teach you Chinese. Hopefully, the Chinese language will open new horizons for you. Adeline
Hi. I don’t know how I came accross your book but it’s one that I personally own. I normally prefer Japanese stories but reading Chinese cinderella made me more interested in the Chinese culture. Well I still love Japanese but now I want know more about the Chinese culture as well. Anyway, I cried many times while reading your book. I couldn’t imagine growing up with somone like Niang. I assume that her and your Father were already passed away when you published the book. You are very strong and I admire you. Did you ever try to find out when your true birtday was? Did you track down people and figure out or did you just keep your Father’s? If the book did not say “The true story of an unwanted daughter” on it then I wouldn’t have believed it all really happened. This is one of my favorite books now and I will definately read Falling leaves. It must have taken alot of strength to write this and relive your past.
Dear Adeline, I just finished reading your book, Falling Leaves. It was very interesting and didn’t put it down until I was finished with it. I had to come to your website to learn more about you. I’m glad I bought the book.God bless. Deborah
hello Adeline
thankyou so much for writing Chinese Cinderella i cant believe all the emotional heartache you went through no child should have to go through that i almost cried in the part where your father forgot your birthday and also in the part where plt was given to jackie im so sorry for everything you went through be strong i have told my friends at school ( yes im only 11 and at primary school) to read your books there amazing and i cant wait to read falling leaves
thankyou god bless sarina
Hi Adeline,
Firstly I would like to tell you that you are nothing less than an inspiration.
Secondly, I would LOVE to finish learning Chinese.
In 2007 I travelled to China with my school group for two weeks. It was wonderful. However I wished to continue learning Chinese in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 but there were not enough students for the subject to run.
I noticed your post about learning chinese one character at a time and if you still do it, I would really like to recieve your emails.
Phillipa.
Phillipa, I will teach you. Adeline
Hi Adeline,
I know that in Chinese culture it’s rude to call an adult by their first name if you are a child, but anyways…
I am Chinese and live in Singapore, and want to read your book Falling Leaves. Do you know any stored in Singapore which have it? I have already read your Chinese Cinderella and I’m sure that Falling Leaves will be even better. Chinese Cinderella is an amazing story. Thank you so much for writing it and publishing it, thereby exposing a extremely sad life to the world, and now make me think of my problems not so big.
I owe you one.
Love your books,
Sophie L., age 10
Director of Designs
of Silver Star co.
and Cidney’s
(I live in Singapore.)
Dear Sophie, Ten years old and already a director of designs! Congratulations! You can get Falling Leaves from Amazon.com or order it from your local book store. Adeline
Hi Adeline….
I hope your having a nice trip so far.I’m ready for your Chinese lessons.Looking forward…
Don Li
Don, I’m in transit and emailing you from Hongkong Airport. Just flew in from Nanjing where Bob and I had a fabulous time. Three hours wait before we fly to London. However, Cathay Pacific lounge supplies the weary travelers with hot noodles, baos and sandwiches. Not too shabby. My language website is taking a long time to be developed. Stay tuned! Adeline
Hi Adeline,
Chinese cinderella is a book my class is reading at the moment and I am very sorry for how you were treated when you were young. Have you found your fathers wil?
Dear Adeline,
I am 19 now but read Chinese Cinderella when I was 10 years old. I have recently reread it along with Falling Leaves, and reading these books now as an older reader has motivated me to learn more about China and its history and culture. I was so moved by what I read that I am now planning a trip to China next year where I will volunteer at a school in Yangshuo teaching English, and then travel for a few months to see all the different aspects of life in such a huge country and how different it is to where I come from (London, UK). I thank you for introducing this totally different culture to my life.
Adeline,
I have just read Chinese Cinderella, and it was the most touching story I ever read! I saw what you said about the one-character-a-day for Chinese. I hope that you can teach me also because I really want to learn Chinese.
Christine, I will teach you. Adeline
my wife, my 16 years old boy and me all have read your wonderful story Falling leaves. Just want to say thanks for writing this book. we all love it.
I would like to participate in the Chinese word a day offer.
Sharon, I will teach you. Adeline
Hi everyone and Adeline,
I’m Chinese and I have read 5 of you books:
Chinese Cinderella
Falling Leaves
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society
Watching the Tree
China, Land of Dragons and Emperors.
I know 2 other books which is:
A thousand pieces of Gold and The Song Dynasty. I am still tying to find the 2 books, but I will find it eventually. I want to know if there are other books written by you. Does anyone know any others?
Dear Li, I plan to write a book on learning the Chinese language.
Adeline
To Adeline, your books are really interesting. I will try to read all your books. Though the book you are planing to write, I might not read. I really do but I have already got books from my Aunt in China about learning the Chinese language. I am Chinese and speak Manderin. That’s why I am learning the Chinese language. I already can read some of the Chinese language and of course I can speak it. The thing is I need to learn how to write it.
I will teach you how to read and write Chinese characters. Stay tuned. Adeline
Hello Adeline,
My class is reading your book,”Chinese Cinderella.”I really enjoyed it because of how you explain it. Even though I had to reread it I still enjoyed going back rereading it. my Humanities also enjoyed reading it and teaching us the meaning of the Chinese symbols that you talked about in your book.
Thank you For Reading For Reading this
Demetrias Sewell
Dear Adeline
I am currently reading Watching The Tree and it’s a very interesting book.
Last week I decided to check out your website and I saw your offer for 1 character day Chinese lessons for free. I talked to Mother and asked her if I can do it, she said yes if you are not already to busy.
So dear Adeline if you are not to busy can you please teach me Chinese with your 1 character day/Chinese learninng website/daily emails.
I would really appreciate it if you said yes, but if you are to busy, sure I will be disapointed, but I will understand, I cannot and will not force you to teach me Chinese.
I am a very big fan, I own coppies of all your books,
From a huge fan in Australia
Chloe.
PS. I understand that you would already have lots of people to teach and sign up, already, bye:)
PS. Before I read Chinese Cinderella I wanted to read A Little Princess, I bought the book last month, and guess what, this was ironic since you loved the book as a little girl too, the copy I got had an introduction by you, Adeline Yen Mah.
Chloe, I will teach you. Stay tuned. Adeline
Good Day Mrs. Mah,
I am currently reading Chinese Cinderella for the second time and I am finding it even more enjoyable than I did the first time around. Your positive message is one that I would like to spread to as many people as I can. I will always remember you for the quote “One single positive dream is more important than a thousand negative realities”. Please continue to write anything that your wonderful mind can produce, and I will be sure to be one of your readers.
Eventhough I have already had a years worth of chinese instruction in highschool, and will be studying it in college, It would my honor to receive lessons from you via email. I plan to compete in a chinese speaking competition in the coming spring, and what a thrill it would be to win first place and say that my victory was thanks in part to the wonderful Adeline Yen Mah! I will be looking forward to your lessons, and one day when I make something of myself I do hope very much to meet you.
I wish you the best of health and happy times until that day.
Yours truly, Tevin C Scott
Tevin, I will teach you. Stay tuned. Adeline
hello adeline our class read your book and we all just love it. We feel sorry for you but you overcame those obstacles I just wanted to say thank you for the encouragement you gave me.
Dear Adeline
My name is Lucy and I am 11 years old. I live in South Australia. I have a Mum, Dad and brother. I loved your book Chinese Cinderella. I am about read your other two. It is inspiring and really makes me realise how lucky I am.I want to read falling leaves. You seem like a strong minded and warm hearted person. Your book makes me feel sad and happy at the same time. Even though my parents love me i can almost Feel your pain from your descriptive words. The book is interesting and I loved every word I read. I did feel very sad in one part of the book about your duck PLT because I absolutly love animals and want to help them. I have always wanted to go to China. It is an educational book but in an interesting way that would make people want to learn. Your Aunt Baba seemed like she was a lovely person.
From Lucy Thorpe
dear adeline,
i have just finished reading your book,’Chinese Cinderella’ and that is by far the most touching story i have read in my life! i’ll have to be honest, at first i was not interested in the world of reading, but after i read your book it has just opened a whole new world of books and reading. i am willing to read your book ‘Falling Leaves’. i would like to ask you a question, did you visit Aunt Baba after you were told you were going to study in england?
please reply as i am willing to hear from you. you are my biggest inspiration.
sincierly,
yasmin.s
Hi,
I am not Adeline but I would like to say that before Chinese Cinderella, had not read anything very adventurous. I stuck to Cathy Cassidy/Pink cover like books about Teenagers and Life… the BIG issues!
ANNA xx
Hi Adeline!! I was really moved when I read Chinese Cinderella. This was the first book that made me cry. Honestly, I don’t really know what to say right now because I’m not good in speaking English. [so please don't mind if my grammar is wrong] Thank you for sharing your life, because if you hadn’t I will still be the shy little girl that was always teased by her cousins and siblings, so thank you.
i am a high school freshman and have just finished reading chinese cinderella, it was a fantastic book and made me realize that there are people that are much less fourtunate than me and that non-fiction can be interesting. i was wondering though did you ever see any of your friends from your firsst schools again? such as wu shun mei?
Hello I just want to say that your book was really great. Although it was very sad I thought that it was a great story. Sometimes I would think of how you felt. I think that you are a great author, I loved you book. I like the way you never gave up on what you stared and I feel great of having to read you book. Your book has inspired me to never give up and always do my best.
I like your book Chinese Cinderella. I like it because i think it’s kinda funny and helpful.
Hello there Adeline! I am 13 and my class read your book Chinese Cinderella. I enjoyed it and would like you to teach me Chinese, please. I read some of the comments people left you and noticed some people from my school, like Christina and Dianna. I feel sympathy for you because of your past… I’m trying to find Falling Leaves!!
Sincerely,
Alexus A.K.A. Emoticon
I’m doing chinese cinderella in class 2!
Ohhh, I forgot to put some words in.
Anyways, when I read Chinese Cinderella I found it extremely hard to put down. I hated to leave class when I had to and one thought I always had when I went to my 7th grade Social Studies class was, “are we reading Chinese Cinderella today.” I’ve read other books that were hard to put down but yours just touched me!! Also, you are not alone! Hundreds-no,thousands(perhaps millions) of children had/have to go through what you went through.
I like your book the Chinese Cinderella. It is the best book I have ever read. What I like about it the most is that it actually happened in real life.
I like your book Chinese Cinderella. I think it’s one of the best books ever. The book made me realize that education comes second, after family.
hey i read your book it is really good once you get deeper into and i know know you fell even if i don’t get treated like that cause i but my self in your shoes i know you was going to get better and believe in your self. i am just like you i go to school to learn and i try so hard to do my best in school but anyway let’s get back to talking bout the book. i like the book i wish i could get a copy but they don’t sell any down here were i stay at but i cry every time i read the book that book because i hate to see kids get treated badly cause i put my self in there shoe and i know how they fell well can i have you number so i can talk you bout something that i need some help wit and more stuff that i can’t say right now well bye talk to later
Dear Mrs. Mah,
I love your book Chinese Cinderella. It is so inspiring to people that someone can have a horrible life at home and still go to school and do their best, to achieve in high standards, and to learn what you need to. I feel horrible that that had to happen to you, its not fair that you were chosen to live the life you were given. I dont know what I would do if i had the life you did. I also would have NEVER had the heart or the bravery to write a story that was so personal. I hope life goes on better and continues to get better.
Love
Chyenne
Helo, Ms.Mah
I haven’t yet finished your book but so far it is very good, and I would like to ask a question, couldn’t the doctors save your mom? I mean with like surgery or was she too young to have you? I really feel sorry about the loss, I can imagine how all of your brothers and sisters treated you just cause of the you were born, it still wasn’t your fault, maybe it was already time for her to go.
Sinceraly,
Francisco Nunez Ariza
I love your book. thank you! Your book was great.
Hello Adeline I read about half of your story and i think that it is great. I was wondering why did you want to be a writer and did you ever regret that you didnt get your trans fare. Did your borthers ever get obn your nerves. Did you ever go to collage. Why do you have’t to walk to school and i thought your father had a car. Have you ever wanted to do something so bad just to get away from your family. I thought the thing about how you and Aunt Baba were so close and are yall stil close till this day or is she gone. HOw many5 children do you have. DO you like have that chinese rug thing hanging anywhere. Are you still married and do yall have that rule where you cant marrie anyone rom your clan. Thanks for listening hope you writ back
Hello Adeline I read about half of your story and i think that it is great. I was wondering why did you want to be a writer and did you ever regret that you didnt get your trans fare. Did your borthers ever get obn your nerves. Did you ever go to collage. Why do you have’t to walk to school and i thought your father had a car. Have you ever wanted to do something so bad just to get away from your family. I thought the thing about how you and Aunt Baba were so close and are yall stil close till this day or is she gone. HOw many5 children do you have. DO you like have that chinese rug thing hanging anywhere. Are you still married and do yall have that rule where you cant marrie anyone rom your clan. Thanks for listening hope you writ back
The book Chinese Cinderella is a a good book that I have read so far. It is full of amazing things of the early 19th century, thank you for making a book that gives summary of your life.
Helo, Ms.Mah
i feel really mad because ur family did such bull to u. I about laughed when u wrote about ur bros wizzing in the cup and said it was orange juice and u drank it but then i remembered that it actually happened.
peace out yo, stay funk fresh urs truly CARLOS
Hi Adeline,
Thank you for your beautiful books.
Can you please put me on your Chinese Learning website for daily emailing. Thank you so much.
Liliane, I will. Adeline
Dear Dr. Mah,
Thank you for your wonderful books. They are beautifully written, heart warming, inspirational stories.
Thank you also for your generous offer to teach chinese!
May I please be added to your chinese class? Thank you again!
Warm regards,
Susanne
Hello Adeline Yen Mah!
Can you please put me on your Chinese Learning website for daily emailing, I would love to learn the Chinese Language for it fasinates me very much! Thank you!
Love Chloe
Hello Adeline Yen Mah!
I absoluley love your books! From the fine literature, to the descriptions of your life and to the development of China. There are so many reasons why your books are in the hearts of souls all across the world.
I would absolutley love for you to put me on your chinese learning website. One of the things i found very interesting in some of your books was the use of proverbs. Especially how you used a lot of traditional Chinese.
With many thanks to an inspiring person.
Callum.
Callum, I would love to teach you. Adeline
Hello! I would like to learn Chinese. Please include me in your daily mailings. Toni
Toni, I will do so. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Please may you also put me on your chinese learning website. I love Chinese Cinderella, and am borrowing falling leaves from the school library. I am facinated by chinese and would love to learn it too!
Thank you Chloe
Dear Adeline,
Please may you also put me on your chinese learning website. I love Chinese Cinderella, and am borrowing falling leaves from the school library. I am facinated by chinese and would love to learn it too.
Also can you please tell me how you are going to teach me too.
I tyed to contact you before and it accidently came out in I think it may have been chinese.
Thanks Chloe
亲爱的阿德利纳
能否请你把你的中文学习网站我，教我中文。你教我怎样才能请您解释一下你将如何做，当你生活在另一个国家。
还
Dear Adeline,
Please may you put me on your chinese learning website. I love Chinese Cinderella, and am borrowing falling leaves from the school library. I am facinated by chinese and would love to learn it.
Love, Meredith
Meredith, I will teach you Chinese. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
I love the Chinese Cinderella and I want to see if you had any advice about any other books that you have wrote. How did you like getting the book: Paper Magic: Paper games, solitary? I know how you life was and I was about to cry when I read about you getting separated from Aunt Baba! Are you having a great time with your life now than it was back then? Like I said I love your book!!!!!!!!
Please write back when you get a chance. Bye!!!!
Hello Mrs.Adeline Yen Mah!My name is Rose and I am in the 7th grade. My Social Studies class has been reading your book Chinese Cinderella and I have really enjoyed it. This story has really touched me. I wish I could recommend this story to middle schools worldwide.I really feel for you and all you had to go throw as a child NO child should ever have to go throw that situation, and especially with their own family. Mrs. Adeline Yen Mah I commend you for this excellent story! May God bless you with many more wonderful, loving years.
Love,Rose B.
Dear Adeline:
Would you please put me on your Chinese learning website. Many thanks!
Fanny
Fanny, I will teach you. Adeline
dear Mrs.Yen Mah,
when i read your book in my english class i was heart broken to think that my life was hard urs was much wose i am so glad that today u are happy with ur life! i cant wait to read falling leaves! when i read the last page of the book i was sobbimg in tears i ttok the book to heart and i hope that u ever got anew duckling i hope u can name it plt. that was the most saddening part int he whole book. u truly lived a cindereela life
p.s is Aunt Baba still alive today?
~kayla
Dear Mrs Mah,
Your autobiography, Chinese Cinderella, got through to me. It was such a beautiful story, I loved the ending. After reading it, I just HAD to get Falling Leaves. I got it! I’m half way through, but I was wondering…
Do you have any more pictures of your family? Or you when you were older? I’d love to see them!
I was also wondering about Karl, did you ever see him again?
Please reply!
Crystal. <3
I deeply commend you on your successes and pray your story continues to inspire many young and old. I am so anxious to read Falling Leaves to find out if Aunt Baba moved with you to the states and whether or not you reconnected with Wu Chun-mei and Victor Schilling (as they are called in Chinese Cinderella). Please help me to learn Chinese along with the history of their characters.
Dear Mjahdah, I look forward to teaching you Chinese. My dream is that one day, all my readers and I will write to one another in Chinese characters. Or switch back and forth between English and Chinese. Adeline
Hi Dr. Yen Mah
My daughter (12), bought home your book “Chinese Cinderella” after being issued it as a class study assignment. She urged me to read it and I was and still am truly heart-wrenched and fully grounded by your story. I’m 38 and poured tears of associated recognition of spurred ambition. But, unfortunately I diverged to the alt path due to the lack of anyone to feed me the support and belief in myself that is a great necessity in everyone’s life. As you mentioned in the end my yearnings continue to plague me. I still put on a false sense that everything is okay and not remembered whenever I deal with any blood related family members and continue to remain the ‘black sheep’ despite my successes(which have all been debunked to nothing).
Hi Adeline,
I’d just like to say that you are an amazing person and an inspiration to everyone. I am studying Chinese Cinderella and I think that you were such a strong character. Thank you for this book <3
Dear Adeline,
After reading Chinese Cinderella i had to know what happened to you when you got older! (obviously you wrote)but i had to find out more. So i found Falling leaves and i am about half way through it and i love it!! You are an amazing person who has gone through soo much pain, it makes me feel selfish when i think my life is hard but it is no where near hard compared to what happened to you. You have inspired me soo much….you are truly an amazing person and don’t ever doubt that!! God bless!
From Emma
Dear Mrs Adeline Yen Mah
I Aakanksha Madan from Mumbai would like to learn chinese. I am a big fan of your since I read your book Chinese Cinderella. I also made a poster on you.
with regards
Aakanksha
Dear Aahanksha, I will teach you. Xie Xie. This means Thank you in Chinese. After my first lesson, you will be able to type the two characters in Chinese. Stay tuned. Adeline
Hello,Adeline Yen Mah,
I have greatly enjoyed your stories, like the Chinese Cinderella Story. It was a really moving story, and im very sorry that you had to go through it. And in some parts I evena ctually cried!! Thankyou for writing such a beauitful, and moving story, I hope there will be more in the future.
Sincerley yours,
MichelleLy
Hello Adeline. My name’s Jess and I’m from Australia. I’m in 13 years old and my English class is currently studying Chinese Cinderella and we were each given a character out of the book to depict. My group was given you. What I would like to include in our depiction is a quote of what you thought of your Stepmother Niang. Thankyou for your time and I cannot wait for your reply!
Jess, She inspired me to study hard and prove to her (and the world) that her low opinion of me was not correct. Adeline
We are reading your book Chinese Cinderlla in our class. I just thought that I should tell you it is a really good book.We have been reading your book in class for 4 days and im already on chapter 15.My favorite part was when her brothers offerd her orange juice but it had uren in it.The only reason is because it is very funny.
Courtney, What if you were the recipient of the urine-laced orange juice? Do you still think it’s funny?
Adeline
Oh, Courtney! You really didn’t think that was funny, did you? It was awful cruel, and disgusting behaviour. I’m sure you would never have thought it funny if it had happened to you.
Dear Adeline:
Please put me on your Chinese learning website. Many thanks!
Dan
Dan, I will do so. Thank you for your interest. Adeline
Im enjoying your book and I been told that you have classes, I would love to join but I live far away. If there is any way you could send me lessons through email I would enjoy that.
Thank you.
Mercie, The lessons will be sent to everyone via email. I look forward to teaching you. Adeline
Hello Mrs. Mah
It’s me Dianna again. I was thinking about somethings from your book. I was wondering if you could answer them. My first question is Did you ever find you father’s will and if it did what did it say? What happen to your first husband? Did Niang force you into marriage like your she did your older sister. Did you ever get another duck or another animal? How’s life treating you? Do you have anymore family alive that you know of like your brothers or sisters? How did you feel when your Nai Nai pasted away? And how did you feel about your baby sister getting beat by your stepmother?
Diana, Please read Falling Leaves. Adeline
I never had a hero or a role model, until I read your books. You really did go through a lot. Today I read your learn Chinese. I am 14 years old and I would like to learn Chinese please. I currently speak Cantonese but would like to learn Mandarin. I can not read nor write Chinese either…. But learning Mandarin would be great.
Dear Kevin, I will teach you Mandarin Chinese. Stay focused, work at it and you will be typing to me in Chinese in three months.
Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Im A Half-Japanese, Half-Filipina Girl Who Is 12 Years Old.
We Read Your Book ‘Chinese Cinderella’ For A School Project, This Was My 3rd Time To Read It. Evertime I Read It I Always Cry At The Pain you Went Through.I Never Knew About Your Book ‘Falling Leaves’ Until I Saw It In My School Library And I Hid It As The Librarian Was Away. Me And My Friend Searched Everything Through Your Books Because Your Books Really Taught Us Essential Lessons In Life. We Loved Hearing About Your Life And When Niang Was Cruel We Deeply Felt The Pain You Felt And We Hated Her For Putting You Through A Hard Time.
I Think Your A Beautiful Person Inside And Out And I Would Love To Speak Chinese. At The Moment I Only Speak English, Filipino And A Little Bit Of Japanese. Im A Huge Fan And I Love Everything About You.
I Love You So Much!
-Carissa Sora
Carissa, I will teach you Chinese. Work hard and type me a message (in Chinese) soon. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Thank You..I Cant Wait. Im Really Happy your Replied!
x
Hello Ms. Adeline,
I felt so honoured and happy that you had written back! It would be lovely to learn Chinese, for my mother is a translator and knows many languages. I know only French and English, Latin, some Spanish and a little Malay. My school teaches Latin and German and Chinese – but I was never allowed to learn Chinese in school, for my parents did not want me. I feel tremendously lighthearted and blissful at the thought that I shall soon be learning Chinese from my – and I’m sure many other peoples’ – role model. I was thrilled to have been able to write to you already. I’m looking forward to learning the “delicate”, beautiful Chinese language. Hopefully I’ll eventually be able to write letters to you in Chinese, with my translation beneath it, though I daresay there shall be plenty of mistakes in it. But I’ll learn from them.
I can’t wait to read Falling Leaves! I hope I shall be able to read it soon. I’ve always loved reading, and have read much, ever since I learned at age two. Reading is so wonderful, so delightful for me. I’m glad we have that in common – we both love reading. It does lighten the soul marvelously, does it not? And you have, in writing Chinese Cinderella, written a book that is not only a powerful story in itself, but also teaches a valuable lesson. It is one of the rare books that tells and “proves” an important yet simple lesson in a tale that is not boring or simple, but one that is moving and sophisticated enough to attract the interest of older people. Chinese Cinderella – what a touching tale of your miserable childhood, when you strived to survive and worked so hard to overcome the odds against you, eventually earning your father’s approval to go to university!
I’m sure Falling Leaves has many more details of your childhood. Had I known it had existed, and told a more thorough tale of your life than Chinese Cinderella, I would have searched for it and probably bought it instead; for I am one of those curious people who prefer as detailed a story as possible. Chinese Cinderella was a moving, touching story, simple yet sophisticated. I’m sure Falling Leaves will be even more so.
How sorry I felt for you – and for Precious Little Treasure – when she died due to Jackie’s bite! What a cruel fate! I love animals – and that includes dogs – but I couldn’t help feeling furious at Jackie when he sprang upon the helpless, special, darling little duckling. But I believe she is now in that beautiful place you described so long ago – the place where no one needed a ticket to enter and where everyone was treated equally.
Yours truly,
Haleema
I’m a Chinese girl who started reading Chinese Cinderella when I was 12 years old. I really love reading Chinese Cinderella a lot. I could feel the sadness that you want to express in the story. I sometimes even cried after reading the story. In parts when your Niang treated you badly and how your dad sided your Niang, I really am very upset. I could not imagine what will happen to me if I were to experience the same things as you. You really inspired me a lot! I wish you all the best in everything and God bless.
Dear Adeline,
I’m a teenage Mexican-American girl who lives in the U.S. I’ve read your book “Falling Leaves”. It was such a heartbreaking story, I kind of wonder, How can a little girl can resist so much? I really hated Niang for what she done to you all this years. I feel guilty for not understanding your situation but I do know the feeling of wanting getting attention from a parent.I love learning Languages, I know English,Spanish,and Japanese. It would be great if I learn Chinese from you. I know you don’t know me, but after reading your book you’re like a Grandmother to me,. It would be an honer if you reply.
sincerely yours,
Giselle
Dear Giselle, Thank you. I would love to teach you Chinese. Stay tuned. Adeline
I read ‘A Thousand pieces of gold’. Absolutely enjoyed it and thank you for the education.
Hello Adeline!
i fist heard your name when i was 8 years old, (I am now 20), i read every one of your books by the time i was 10, and have been wanting to write to you for a decade now, and i finally got around to it!
you helped me indirectly through childhood, i devoured every word you wrote whenever i was upset or lonely, cover to cover repeatedly, and inspired me to stick to my education. i have so much to thank you for, and will never forget you for as long as I live.
you also instilled a desire to learn chinese, and who better to learn it from than you! So yes I am also interested in taking part, and i promise I will be typing characters by the end of the lesson
Again, I am forever in your gratitude, and your wisdom is a beacon of light
Timothy.
Dear Timothy, Thank you. I look forward to teaching you Chinese. Obviously, you have to do your part and work at it. However, if you follow my lessons, I predict you will be typing a letter (in Chinese characters) to me in less than three months. Good luck! Adeline
PS. Please tell your friends and family and anyone else who wishes to learn the Chinese language.
Dear Mrs.Adeline Yen Mah.
Me and my class have been reading your book, Chinese Cinderella, Which we all find very Heartbreaking. I come to you with this message from myself to you. I have read ahead of my class, Something in common between you and me is our love for books that can draw us into the world where the words are the worlds script, So I have finished the book that you have written and I find it 100% absolutely astonishing and heartbreaking. You have been through so much that would more then mentally scar the mind of a child, yet your courage has remained, Losing friends and family that cared for you, And gaining those who disrespected you along the way. I am not afraid to say I cried reading your story and feel that this is the least I can give you to because of your problems that you faced back then. You kept true to yourself, Aunt Baba, And Ye Ye. They are surely and extremely proud of you. I wish you the best and may you always be forever hopeful.
Your fan, Devon Smith.
~ “Books are worlds in which we can live in, Take us away.
Words of insperation to what we believe, Take us away.
Each chapter a part of the life we experience with courage, Take us away.
But in the end, We must return. Take us away”
I am a teacher and my class is about to start reading Chinese Cinderella. I would love to be able to teach them chinese with your lesson. Please add me to your list.
Rebecca, Thank you. I look forward to teaching you and your class. You will be typing Chinese characters after your first lesson. Adeline
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
I have just read your story, Chinese Cinderella, and I think by far it has been the most captivating book I have ever read. I’m only thirteen years old, and to think of me being in your situation is pretty much unimaginable. I can’t believe that you went through so much abuse and neglect and still worked hard at everything to be able to one day protect your Aunt Baba and Ye Ye. I cried when your little chicken PLT was taken by Jackie, I cried when your Ye Ye passed away, I sympathized with you when you were being sent away to different schools, I felt the pride when you made your Ye Ye and Aunt Baba proud, and I hurt whenever Fourth Brother and Niang were wrong to you. You worked so hard to achieve so much when they didn’t see your accomplishments. If I was your mother or father, I would be the proudest of them all. I am very thankful to live how I am today.
Your story has truly insipred me, thank you.
Jordan
Dear Mrs.Mah,
Hi! I’m posting a reply here right now because I would like to be emailed the Chinese lessons.
Also, on another note, I’d like to say that I really loved your book, “Chinese Cinderella”, and was really touched by what you went through as a young girl.
Dear Justin, I will be emailing you Chinese lessons very soon. If you pay attention and concentrate, you will be typing Chinese characters after the first lesson. Good luck! I hope you will soon write me a letter in Chinese. Adeline
-Justin
Dear Adeline,
I read your book Falling Leaves for my living wax museum. You book made me cry so much. I know there are horrible people out there but you book brings that really into reality. You had to have been made of iron inside and out. I would definitely crumbled half-way through. You are officially my new role model, seriously! You are the most amazing person ever to have survived so much. I am so glad that you have your own loving family. You certainly deserved that. If you lived nearby I would have loved to meet you in person!
Thank you for shoring your story,
Jasmin
Dear Dr. Mah,
I am a 12 year old British student, and I found your book (Chinese Cinderella) in my school library. I read it and I felt so captivated by the account of your life and through the eyes of only a child. I feel so lucky to be so fortunate, and it is such an eye opener. I cried when Ye Ye passed away, and I gritted my teeth at Niang’s cruelty, to you, a child, and I tryed so hard to understand it, but luckily, I cannot, as I could not even bear to think of how much you have been through. in addition I went on to read the adult version, Falling Leaves. It was significantly more poignant, and to see it all the way through as well, and up to the moment. I am truly blessed to read your book, because, it enlightened me to how lucky I truly am. Because of you, I strive to make the most of every opportunity in my life. I have such a deep respect for you, and I now understand the Chinese culture a little better, and for this I am greatful.
You are an exceptional woman, and this is the least I can say. I understand that a message from me, an insignificant 12 year old school boy from Britain could not really mean much inbetween messages from doctors and lawyers and all kinds of other people, but you, Dr. Mah, make me proud to be an individual.
Thank You.
~Jamaal M Mens
Dear Jamaal, Thank you for your email which meant a lot to me because it obviously came from your heart. Although you are only 12 years old, you understood perfectly.
I don’t know you but I advise you to learn Chinese. Soon I will be sending regular Chinese lessons to you via email. Think of me as your surrogate Chinese grandma. It will make me so proud if you will write to me in Chinese in a few months’ time.
Adeline
Adeline..i was introduced to your book by my art teacher who had just completed a exhibition of 30 paintings based on your proberbs..magnificent!! and i remember half listening to a interview and reading on ABC radio (australia) and hearing a about the ritual “misplacement” of baby girls in china…was this you and if so what book was that from….i am half way through “fallen leaves” but it doesn’t appear to be the one.
Kind regards
Robyn
Dear Dr. Yen Mah,
I just finished reading ‘Falling Leaves’. Having a young daughter adopted from China and also being privileged to host a number of exchange students from the same, your story gave me a much better insight as to the inner workings of Chinese family life. I am much more able to understand my most recent student’s family and the hold her mother, aunts & uncles have over the life decisions that she makes, such as becoming an architect instead of a concert pianist (her passion, which she has lain aside). They also compare her with her male cousins, as if she is somehow less of a person. Never-the-less, I have become a surrogate father to her, she has become my daughter’s Jiejie, and, over the past four years, we have become a Chinese-American family.
As both of my daughters are fluent in Chinese, I would appreciate your assistance in helping me to, possibly, also learn the language. Like your husband, when I have travelled to Beijing and attempted to speak Chinese, I am looked upon as if I was a creature that had three heads all speaking nonsense at the same time. The only characters I can actually read are the numbers, mountain, mouth, China, person, big, small, man & woman (helpful for finding the right ’squatty-potty’). My youngest tells me that I should not even try to speak the language because I fracture it so thoroughly. I hope that maybe you can help.
Dear Ron, I will be glad to teach you Chinese. Don’t be discouraged by other people’s comments. Please believe that one single positive dream is more important than a thousand negative realities. Stay tuned. You will be receiving my lessons soon. Adeline
Hi Adeline,
Good to see you and Bob at the Philharmonic event last night.
Bobbitt told me of your plan to send out chinese word a day … please sign us up.
Thanks,
Stacey Williams
Hi Adeline,
My class and I read your book Chinese Cinderella for english in school.I’m not that interested in reading but when I started reading your book I couldn’t put it down.I think the things Niang done were horrible as the same for your father.I just wonder have you found your fathers missing will?
My class hoped that you would come to our school, but I doubted it as we live in Ireland.When I read your book it thrilled me but also saddened me at what you went through.I would love to write more i’m just not sure what to write so i would hope you reply,
Leah Coonan
Dear Leah, Thank you for writing to me. Please tell your teacher and classmate and family and friends about my One Chinese Word A Day lessons which will be emailed to you very soon. You will be able to type Chinese characters after the first lesson. If you keep studying the Chinese words I send you via regular emails, you will soon be able to read Chinese. Adeline
Hi Adeline,
I am enjoying the book that you wrote very much. I am wanting to know and learn alot more about your culture and family tradition’s. I think you are so brave to write a story about your childhood that was not so great. I am wondering are any of your have any of your brothers,sisters or any of your family still alive. Are you married or Do you have any children of your own? I would love to come visit you and hear your stories of your childhood and maybe you can hear some stories of mine too. I know sometimes you think back on your childhood and cry yourself to sleep but
YOUR ARE NOT ALONE!!!!! i hope you write back i would love to hear from you.
Hi i cant wait to learn alot more about your culture and your lauguage
by the way love the book!!!!
Kayla, And I can’t wait to teach you Chinese. Adeline
I am wanting to learn about chinese language please teach me
Dear Kayla, I will teach you. Adeline
Hi Adeline,
It was over a week ago that you said I’d get an e-mail, but I haven’t received one. Could there possibly have been a problem?
Thanks and kind regards
Miriam
Dear Miriam, Delay is due to practilities in getting my language website up and running. Please be patient. You will be hearing from me. Adeline
Thankyou
Miriam
Hi Adeline
I would love to learn chinese. I am currently around half way through your “Falling Leaves” and can’t really put it down. You are answering so many questions I didn’t know I had. My understanding of Buddhism and Zen (or more properly my lack of understanding) is being challenged on every page.
I did not go out to look for a book but was simply looking through a few books in a charity shop and liked the look of the outside of yours, started to look at a few pages and was sold.
Many many thanks to you.
Dear Adeline,
i have recently read your book Chinese Cinderella the story of yourself, an Unwanted Daughter. I was touched by your inspiriting story and believe every kid should read this and understand how lucky we all are that we a have someone loving us. I really love your book and read it over and over. I am sorry for asking this but did you ever see a picture of your mother? I hope you write back.
P.S. my hole class has a blog all about your book.
From Laura Mason
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
I am in year 8 and my class and i are reading your book Chinese Cinderella. I cant believe you had to go through all of that at that age. It would have been so hard for everyone else. You really did have something strong in your heart. Your book changes my feelings each chapter. You had to go to all these boarding schools and make new friends and you were treated unfairly especially by your father. I am sorry that you did not have a father like other little girls do. Your book really helps me understand more about a bit of the Chinese culture and I think your book is really good. I am so glad everything turned out okay for you and you finally got what you deserved.
Dear Adeline,
I have just read your book Chinese Cinderella The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter. This book is great it made me feel so sad and happy at times. As soon as I picked it up I didn’t want to put it down. It is story worth reading. By the sounds of it my class liked it as well. We are doing an assessment on it and I am loving it. It is a book that I will want to read again in my own time. I hope you write another book like the book of yours I have just read because it is one of the best books I have ever read. I look forward to getting a reply from you.
From Kate
P.S. Please do not put this comment on your website, Thanks.
Hello Mrs.Adeline Yen Mah,
I have just finished reading ‘Chinese Cinderella’ for a school assignment and I loved the book since I started reading!!! For our school assignment we are writing Chapter reviews and we didn’t really understand why your Father left Tianjin. Was it because of the business or any other particular reason? Anyways, I was really touched by your story and I had a moment where I actually cried. I felt very, very sorry when PLT died. Thank you very much for sharing your life story, it has been a great experience reading this book!
Dear Ms Mah
It is a honor i am writing to you.
my class had to read Chinese Cinderella and I was so thrilled to be reading it.I just finished it and i thought it was a sad story about your childhood but amazing how your father and your grandparents were so supportive at the end and how you followed your dream.
I am so proud of you because you had so much courage and faith and you just kept trying and believing no matter how hard things got.And i will be reading the rest of your books. (please do not put this on the website thank you)
Regards Isabella
Dear Isabella, Thank you for writing. Please tell your teacher and classmates about my gift of One Chinese Word Per Day. I hope you will be fluent in Chinese soon. Adeline
我學習中文時， 我可以。三江源回答這麼多回來。我們有新的技術來寫中文在我們的電腦 在學校。
我的老師和同學的人很高興，我們聽到您的意見。同時，我們很樂意為您寫回。三江源
Remember I’m just learning.
Thanks
Isabella, I am proud of you for typing Chinese characters! Congratulations! Adeline
Isabella
hi i tried hard very hard t read your book but i cunldbt your stry is so sad i would love to meet you
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
I am glad that there is an opportunity on your site to write to you. I have read two of your books, Falling Leaves, and Chinese Cinderella. They are very moving. I can relate to them a little bit, for I myself as well as my mother were emotionally abused by my father. I did also enjoy reading it from a cultural aspect,currently I am a third year in college, and am studying Asian Studies, so it was wonderful to here from a first hand account about the way Chinese culture was when you were growing up. I would, if you don’t mind, like to learn more about China from you. So far in my studies, I have only learned about Japan and Korea, my school doesn’t teach much about China, and I am interested in learning more. I do look forward to a reply. Once again thank you for this opportunity.
Cordially,
Amanda
Dear Amanda, You will be hearing regularly from me. Stay tuned. Adeline
Dear Mrs. Adeline Yen Mah,
I would like to subscribe to you teaching us chinese.
Thank you
Dear Ms Adeline Yen Mah,
My name is christina and I’m from Australia. I loved your book “chinese cinderella”. The first time I picked it up,I just loved it! I waited to years to get the book and have started it and I’m more then half way! I was so touched and your stories make me thankful for everything around me! Although I have not finished the book, as soon as I stopped reading for the time being I knew I had to send you a fan letter because I love it and I have shared with you your suffering just throught reading the book!!! I’m sure your story has touched all your readers as much as it touched me. Keep up your work and I really appreciate it and my mother and I hope to watch it as a movie someday!!!!
I hope you can reply.
thankyou.
Dear Tina, It means a lot to me to know that children in Australia are reading my books and writing to me. Thank you for your email. In return, I will send you regular emails to teach you the Chinese language at no cost to you. Please learn one word per day with your mom. That will be my gift to you. Stay tuned. You will be hearing from me. Adeline
Hi Adeline, please can you email me a character a day. How many characters would I need to learn before I can read a Chinese newspaper or even a Chinese menu please? I am Chinese and rather ashamed of my almost zero knowledge of the Chinese language.
Dear Adeline,
Just finished reading “Chinese Cinderella”. Thanks for such wonderful piece of literature and for sharing your life with us. Life is beset with obstacles and it’s up to us to rise up triumphantly or totally soaked in despair. You have taught us to persist and to emerge triumphantly. Yes, we would like to learn more from you…Not only the Chinese language and culture but also all the rest necessary to live a full life! Kudos to you and May God continue to bless you always.
Dear Adeline,
It is so nice to meet you in person today!!
Nancy
Dear Nancy, I enjoyed meeting you also. Please tell your students to visit my website. Thank you. Adeline
We are in book club right now discussing your book. What was the reaction of your siblings regarding this book?
P.S. How did you get the background details of many of the things in your story being that you were so young at the time.
Dear Carol, Some memories stay with you for as long as you live. Adeline
I love reading, and I’ve bought a copy of CHINESE CINDERELLA. I’ve never cried before reading in a book, but the first time I read it, I found I had tears in my eyes. I was horrified. How could anyone be treated like this?
Dear Adeline
My 14-yo daughter & I were glued to reading yr book ” Falling Leaves”.Indeed it’s like “Chicken Soup ” for the soul.Sometimes we are overwhelmed by our own personal issues but had been helped by noting that mamy others have similar issues or worse.
We are now reading your other books.
Keep up the good writing effort.
Jack Xie
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
testing
Dear dr yen mah, i am doing an assignment for english on chinese cinderella and i am wondering if there was anything that might help me with this. your book is amazing and i was touched by it, all the things you went through and yet you came through and survived. i am truly inspired
thanks from molly
testing testing
Dear Adeline,
Will you be making any appearances in the LA or Orange Cnty areas in the near future?
I would also be interested in participating in your Chinese lessons. You would be interested in learning that the LAUSD has a new “Learn Mandarin” program at several of our Elementary School sites, including the one I continue to work at on a part-time basis. Our Principal, a close friend of mine, Susan Wong, is from China and was instrumental in the design of this wonderful program!
Sincerely, Judi Welch
Dear Judi, Thank you. Stay tuned for my Chinese lessons which I will email to you. I have met Susan once and sent her a copy of my history book. She is intelligent and dynamic. Please tell her and your friends and family about my attempts to teach Chinese to anyone who has a desire to learn. Regards! Adeline
I just completed Falling Leaves. I have suggested it to my book club.
Not knowing it was about child abuse, I simply chose it at random at my local Barnes and Noble in Santa Monica ! I read after work and well into the night for four days until I had read every word ! Adeline, Thank You !
As a four year old, I contracted Polio like your half-brother, Franklin. This was 1948 in Los Angeles. My father had just returned from the war in the South Pacific, my parents had a new baby boomer, one year old, and were struggling to start a business. Then, disaster. I nearly died and was wheelchair-bound for a year and ended up in braces, the only child to return to my school a post-Polio victim. I was always excluded and teased.
My mother was unable to deal with my disability as she was emotionally fragile. I was subsequently both physically and emotionally abused.
Unlike your “Niang”, my mother did love me but was unable to express it nor deal with a handicapped, imperfect child. She would languish in bed for days on end, crying, and miserable. She was medicated with the Valium of the day, Miltown. My sister and I knew to keep away.
I so related to your loneliness, emptiness, quest for love and attention. I also became a gifted student and people pleaser.
I am now a retired Special Education Teacher who spent her life trying to give back by means of empowering the physically disabled.
I have four grown children and 7 healthy grandchildren.
I have been blessed.
Thank You for your beautiful and heartwarming book.
Judi Welch
Dear Judi, I read your second message first. Thank you for sharing your story. Keep in touch! Adeline
How nice of you to respond so quickly ! What a small world it is that you know my friend Susan Wong ! We received our Administrative Masters’ together many years ago. She is a wonderful person and has done wonders for our Chinese families. She has translated many IEP’s for me !
I would so enjoy hearing you lecture or discuss your books if you’re ever in the Los Angeles area….or in Orange County.
I will tell Susan tomorrow about our communication ….Thanks so much !
Judi Welch
Pacific Palisades
Hello Mrs. Mah, i am chinese and come from vietnam and hong kong. i first found your book at the school library, i learn chinese and i do learn english but the thing that amazed me the most was when you went through are the sadness through your childhood and never gave up. i’m sorry for PLT, your book was amazing that i saw many books with your quotes. i read your book just like how you read the book” Little Princess”. I;m sorry if i get the name wrong but i’ve been following your quotes. May God Bless You Adeline for writing a fantastic book!
Hello, I’m a relatively new reader of your books. To be quite honest, I haven’t yet fully read any of your books because I was barely introduce to your writing this past Wed. I was at Borders with my sister and I accidently stumble on, . After reading the background of the story, I got really interested in your writing and your life.
I’m also interested in your announcement – http://adelineyenmah.com/announcement-one-chinese-character-per-day
I would LOVE to learn Chinese. Honestly, I have been trying to learn Chinese but the programs are too expensive.
Dear Rebecca, I look forward to emailing you Chinese lessons. Stay tuned. Adeline
OMG!! Hi Mrs.Mah!!! I love your book, CHINESE CINDERELLA!!!I think it was the first book that made me cry!!! It must have taken a lot of bravery to be able to write a book that big about the most saddest and hurtful moments of your life. I wouldve just loved to forget that…Im very sorry. I love Nai Nai!!! Your very lucky to have an aunt, grandma, and grandpa like that!!! Where is your Aunt now??? Where should I send a message if I wanted to learn chinese??Chinese is a wonderful language and being able to learn it from you is such a honor!!! I am reading your book at school and i have to do a project on it. I am going to be making a brochure for a tour on your life from the places you were at in the book!!! Well i cannot wait to learn chinese from you! KEEP IN TOUCH!!!!!!!
Dear Ice, I look forward to teaching you Chinese. Stay tuned. Adeline
Dear,
Mrs.Mah
My name is Tanisha and I really love your book. An I would love to learn more about your life style it seems pretty tough being an outcast. You have such an interesting life story. I have one question why did your stepmother slap her daughter like that I thought that was mean of her. The reason why I like your story because I feel like an outcast an it seems like no ones listening to what you have to say. An I would love to learn more about your culture and your language!
Dear Mrs. mah, I just finished reading your book “the chinese cinderella” I am so sad because you gram-pa died and PLT. I love animals but jackie made me from killing PLT. Your book said you had a second marriage what happened to the first? Did Niang force you to marry the first. What happen why did yall get a divorce? How was it to lose PLT? Did you ever get another animal? Did you ever find your father’s will? I wish I could see you face-to-face. What other books you have written would recommend to me? If you ever want to meet a bunch of seventh graders who has honor for you and your books then come to North Rowan Middle School. It is located in north carolina spencer charles street. My friend Christina has written you and has very high hopes for you to write her back. PLEASE write her and me back… your #1 fan dianna canon :0)
Dear Dianna, Please read Falling Leaves and stay tuned. You will be hearing from me. Soon you will know the Chinese language. Adeline
Hello Ms.Mah, I’m Christina Yang and I’m so in love with your book “Chinese Cinderella”. Once my teacher told my class that we’re going to read this book, I was so interested in it that just makes me not want to stop reading. I’m sorry about your mother and what Jackie has done to you. Yes, I was very angry at what I heard about PLT. This book will be locked inside my heart forever, because once I read your book, I could imagine how horribly it is for you that was in the blame of everything. I’m not chinese but hmong and yes I would be really interested in learning your kind of language and culture.
Dear Christina, Stay tuned. You will be receiving my Chinese lessons soon. Adeline
Hey there Mrs.Mah,
I’m so in love with your book “Chinese Cinderella”. It’s one of the most amazing books that I’ve read so far and I will always cherish your book into my heart. What your Niang did was very terrible and I’m very unhappy with her. Now and days everyone would said or ask me: “Christina are you and Adeline cousins or related?”, I would be like ” umm, apparently me and Adeline is not cousins or related but I’m a huge fan her”. Some says that “Chinese Cinderella” is a good book but I say that it’s one of the most fascinating book that I’ve read and from this day forward I’ll never forget that book no matter where I go, that book will always be remembered. When I was on one of the chapters, it got me angry when your Niang was talking with your friend saying that you can’t go back to the birthday party because your busy. Now that part just makes me mad and how could your father sent you out to an orphan house? Couldn’t he have a heart to trust or to believe you and how awful of him to take your Niang side of every thing. But as of me reading your book, I’ll always be by your side even when your miles and miles away from me, I’ll truly remember your great book. It was a book of sadness but a book that will be cherish and locked inside our hearts forever and ever.
Your huge Fan, Christina Yang
Awesome post. It’s so good to see someone taking the time to share this information
Dear Mrs. Mah,
I love your book Chinese Cinderella, it was amazing.
I am currently reading Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society! I’m already half way through, it’s so interesting!
I want to get Falling Leaves, too!
Everyone in my class LOVES your autobiography! I even heard some boys talking about how angry they were at Niang for being so cruel to you!
I also read your announcement – http://adelineyenmah.com/announcement-one-chinese-character-per-day
Please teach me Chinese! Please, please, please!
I would LOVE to learn!
I also drew a picture of you and PLT using Paint.
It’s not that good but I love drawing and I am still training hard! When I become better I’ll draw another picture for you!
And also, could you tell me if you saw Aunt Reine’s family again?
Thank you!!
Dear Elizabeth, I promise to teach you Chinese. I will show you how to find your very own Aladdin’s Lamp. After the first lesson, you will be able to type in Chinese. Stay tuned! Adeline
I purchased your paperback (lighter for travel) Falling Leaves, expecting to take it on a month long trip my husband, and I are taking to Europe at the end of the month. Well… I looked at the first page started reading and could not put it down. I read it in a couple days, I enjoyed every minute of your book. What a strong person you are in many ways, I truly admire you. I am finding myself so interested in Chinese history, something I never gave much thought to. Even though I have read a couple of books that incorporated the history of China, your writing gave me a clear understanding of the events from the 30’s through the 90’s. How lucky you were to have Aunt Baba in your life, and Grand Aunt too as an example of strong women.
Since retiring three years ago, and going through several eye surgery’s in the last 8 years,I feel blessed to have the time, and vision to read books such as yours. I hope one day to visit China, it’s on my list. I am lucky to live in a beautiful city in So Calif 4 block from the ocean, enjoy lots of time with my 6 year old granddaughter, volunteer work with children, and the elderly, and my garden. I am going to purchase Chinese Cindrella for my granddaughter to read. A close friend of mine is 4th generation Chinese American, she laughs as I find her family history more interesting, and fascinating than she does. One of her grandmothers who lived in San Francisco, China town, still had bound feet when my friend was a child. I have never written to an author before but your booked moved me so, I felt compelled to write you a note.
What a wonderful person you are to continue to educate people, we all need to know more about our world, and the people and cultures that live in it.
My eye surgery was at Jules Stein UCLA, I read that your parents were friends
with the Steins. I know nothing about them and wondered how they came to know them?
Thank you again, may you, and your family continue to be happy you certainly deserve it.
Dear mrs. mah,
I was wondering if you will answer some question for me. My name is dianna canon. I am 12 years old and can fill your pain when you were younger. I love your book on the chinese cinderella. Here are my questions. Were you the un wanted child in your book? Did you and jakie ever become friends? Where do you live? Is. Is there any way i can get you to come to my school, because my grade loves you and your books. My school is North Rowan Middle. It is located at north carolina spencer on charles st. Please com love your
#1 fan dianna canon please write back!!!!
Dear Dianna, Chinese Cinderella is my autobiography. Jackie never liked me. I cannot come to your school but I would love to teach you and all your classmates the Chinese language. Stay tuned for the first lesson. May your future be shining and bright. Adeline
Hello Mrs. Adeline Yen Mah.
(I hope I’m on the correct thing)
I saw your wonderful invitation for teaching us Chinese, and I would be honored to have you as my teacher. Thank you for this wonderful gift!
Sincerely,
Kira
Dear Kira, You are on my subscribers’ list. Please invite your friends and anyone who has a thirst for knowledge. Adeline
Can you be my teacher also? I would love to have an honored person like you teach me.. :0)
Dear Dianna, And I would love to teach you Chinese. Stay tuned! Thank you for subscribing.
Adeline
Dear Adeline , I Have recentley been reading you’r book ‘Chinese Cinderella’ And i admire it ! You are a FANTASTIC WRITER ! It was a very good true story also very sad ! I LOVED the letter you recived off Aunt Baba it braught warmness to my heart .I Felt extremley sorry for ‘PLT’ Your duckling having to watch her being killed as she ment the world to you . I normally don’t read books but after reading this book i think i will carry on ! It was so good when i got to the last page i wanted to know what happend next ! I Can’t wait untill im older to be able to read ‘Falling Leaves’ . Thank You For Such An Amazing exprience !
Kaitlin Louise Gillam
Wales
12 xxx
Hello Ms. Adeline,
I’ve written here before but can’t help writing again. Your book Chinese Cinderella means so much to me, for I have the same opinion of myself that you used to have of yourself. You are truly inspiring!
I’ve read it many times, and each time I felt your sorrow, your loneliness, your fear, your pain, and your happy times with your kind Aunt Baba, joyful schooldays, and the bliss of being with Precious Little Treasure.
I felt very sorry for you as I read your story! It was a touching tale, and I was extremely happy for you when you won first place in the writing competition with Gone with the Locusts. Your excellent future and education in university came from your own hard efforts, even when you weren’t supported or encouraged by anyone but your caring Aunt Baba. What a brilliant example you are to others: that through hard work, no matter what others’ opinion of you, you can still become an outstanding person. You are an admirable, exceptional role model, one whose example I shall always follow!
Ms. Adeline, I sincerely would love to learn Chinese. It is such a beautiful language, and its characters look so “soft” with their brushstrokes. I’d love to subscribe to your new program that teaches people the Chinese language, once it starts. Thanks for such a tremendously wonderful gift!
I hope you find the time to write back, even though this letter is very short, and there isn’t much to reply to. It would make me feel immensely honoured, though.
I’ll always remember you and your story!
Thanks,
Haleema
P.S. I love A Little Princess, too! It’s a magical, interesting story.
Dear Haleema, Thank you for your email. It means a lot to me that you are interested in learning about China and the Chinese language after reading my books. Once my language website is set up, you will be hearing from me every week. Please remember always that one single positive dream is more important than a thousand negative realities. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
My name is Phoebe O’Shaughnessy and I am 13 years old.I recently finished your book Chinese Cinderella, and i would like you to know that i absolutely loved it. I look up to you with greatest pride and admire your persistance as a little girl. It must of been a hard time and part way through the book I was very worried about you. I just kept on saying to myself, “she will be fine… she wrote this book so she must be!”
Thankyou for sharing your work with the world and may you continue to suceed in life always.
Love Phoebe
hello,
right now im in the sixth grade class and for our reading assignment our teacher required us to do a report/biography on someone and I chose to do the assignment on you! For once I’m actually reading a book from the library, your book is very amusing. In our class we recently just finished learing about China and one of my mother’s friends is right now in China teaching 1st graders English, he’s going to be there for a year and might go back afterwards. I have a question, I was wondering what is your favorite food, snack, candy, or anything like that? For my report I am going to do a 1st person narrative and I thought it would be fun to bring a treat into the classroom of something you liked to eat! Although I know that your favorite afternoon snack are potstickers I was wondering if you had any other favorite things. Well thank you for taking your time to read this I hope you will have time to write back.
Dear Yazmine, I love apples. Especially Fuji apples. I also love persimmons. Especially Fuyu persimmons. Adeline
Thank you for answering my question it helped me a lot! I am almost done with my report, and I think bringing in apples will be a little easier then bringing in potstickers don’ ya think? Haha but thanks for your help!
Dear Adeline;
My daughter Maria (12) and I read “Chinese Cinderella” as required by her school as a parent /child project. My daughter was really impressed by your story. Right after she finished I started reading it. I can tell you that when I was done I went straight to the library to get “Falling Leaves”. The whole story is a testament of your strengh and your virtues. You really made sweet lemonade out of sour lemons. We would really enjoy your chinese lessons if you are still doing them. If you ever come to Illinois on tour, please let it be known so my daughter and I can be there.
With respect and admiration;
Nelida & Maria Brito.
Dear Nelly and Maria, The Chinese lessons have not begun as yet because the website is not ready. But your names are on the list. Thank you for writing. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Byee!
I am a 13 year old girl and I go to Riverdale High School.
I just finished reading your book, Chinese Cinderella, with my class.
We were all split into groups and I chose to read your book because it seemed interesting. When I finished reading your book, I was touched. I was crying when I read chapter 14 and 15. Those 2 chapters where very sad. I found it cruel that Niang would just send you away and I found it really heartless that your father forgot your name and birthday.
I have much more to say but I have to go now. I hope to hear from you (if possible)
-Sierra
Hi Adeline
This term my year 8 class has been reading your book, Chinese Cinderella. We have to do a ‘Black box Report’ wherewe have a box and put things we have learned and information on China on all 6 sides..
All 3 of us think you’re book is very touching and emotional, but you still never want to put it down.
We have learnt alot from you, even though we dont know you. Your story is inspirational and enjoyable.
Thank You for sharing your story with us all.
Amy, Kim & Tyla
dear adeline,
it is soooo good and it makes me so grateful for the life i have. i just wanted to say that i loveeee your book and i will continue to read your novels! KEEP WRITING 
LOVE , ABBY LANE (:
my class had to pick reading groups and do project and we chose CHINESE CINDERELLA!! i LOOOVEEEE tht book
hey adeline i love your books so are you planning to release any new books this year?
Dear Sharney, Yes! I hope you will learn Chinese. Adeline
Please add me to the list. I am one of those whom purchased Rosetta Stone’s Mandarin. You’re right about the cost. I personally wonder about the effectiveness too. But, I am utilize any tool to learn more.
On another note, I read your Chinese Cinderalla to my daughter (Cristal) when she was 9 years old. It was a great way to read her to sleep plus a connections when I was away. We continue to read similar books too. Love books that give examples of resilience, determination, good nature, and quality values.
Take care.
Rob J>
Hao ren
Dear Rob, You are on the list. Adeline
Very magnanimous of you to be thus moved to teach us Chinese. Please count me in. I finally got hold of a copy of “Falling Leaves” in our local library here and am in the middle of reading this very moving account of your life. I think I will recommend my sister and niece to read it as well. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Thank you for inspiring us.
Dear Talji,
Thank you for your interest. You will be hearing from me. Response has been fantastic. It will take a few more weeks to get my Chinese lessons website established. Don’t worry. Your name is on the list. Adeline
I have read all your books and I like all of them. Can you send me the weekly Chinese lesson materials which was mentioned in your May newsletter?
Dear Euphemia,
Of course I will. Tell your family and friends.
Adeline
Many thanks
I am currently a college student, but your novel has haunted me since childhood. Dr. Yen Mah, I felt compelled to tell you that I have never read a book that so completely spoke to me, so completely touched me. No one else seemed to understand my dark pain. But your book was like a breathing person to me– much like how you poured over your copy of “The Little Princess,” I clung to “Chinese Cinderella” as the only thing on earth that understood me. I understood the endless aching loneliness, the terrifying sick feeling of isolation, the self-hatred to the point of not wanting to live. The feeling of wanting to be like “all the other little girls.” I have gone through healing, but never will I forget those cold dark nights of wordless pain and hopelessness. I pray that you get my message, to know that you have truly, deeply touched another human. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Adeline Yen Mah.
Dear Chery, I understand only too well what is in your heart. We, the walking wounded, recognize one another. Good news is that having survived such a childhood, please believe that you will be able to achieve any goal, climb every mountain. I will soon be sending you my Chinese lessons via email. May your future be filled with sunshine and happiness. Adeline Yen Mah
Dear Adeline,
I have just finished reading your book Chinese CInderella for about the 5th time and every time your stepmother still angers me about how she could treat a human being in such a way and the story of your loss and pain still brings me to tears. I do not know how you would have made it through but I am glad you did because that just proves that they were wrong. That anyone who ever put you down or said you’d never make it were wrong, for I am sure they will look back now and regret what they said for you have become succesful and you are now a accomplised author whom I now look up to when ever i need strength.
With my deepest love adeline you are my idol who i shall always believe in
Amelia xx
Hello Mrs. Mah,
I just finished reading your book tonight., I could hardly put it down. I am half Chinese and Half Filipino. Both my grandfathers came from mainland China and went to the Philippines to leave the hardship in their motherland. They eventually married Filipina women and stayed there until their deaths. One grandfather was even the president of the Koumintang party in the middle part of the Philippines.
Your story reminded me of the injustice that women in Chinese families endured. My mother was not allowed to go to college by her family and wanted her to marry at a young age while my uncle was given whatever he wanted. She left her home, got a job and paid for her college tuition. This gave my mother a lot of bitterness in her life and even until now, she has never understood why she was unwanted. In turn, when she got married to my half Chinese father, she lavished my brother with everything he asked for and I was insulted and not given the same attention as my older brother. It is a vicious cycle and my mother does not see that what has been done to her before, she is doing to me now. Like you, I am trying to make her love me, even until now. Make her proud of me. She is living with me here in America with my husband and son. My brother and his family is here too in another area, same state. I do feel that even how much we provide for her, care for her. She will always see my brother as her precious child, whilst me and my family are just people who she can stay with for free.
How unfortunate of us to live in such conditions in such times. Yours was from before and mine, is still going on. Did you even recover from your hurt and betrayal? Did you ever get to forgive your family? How did you cope? Maybe someday, I too will be able to comprehend what is going on with my life….
Hello Adeline,
I just finished reading “Falling Leaves” and it really is one of the best books I’ve ever read! Thank you for sharing your story. The pain in revisiting so many parts of your life must have been very difficult. It is amazing that Niang’s poison did not taint your soul.
Please include me in your Chinese classes. What a lovely thing for you to do!
I look forward to learning.
I wish you all the greatest luck and love for the rest of your life.
Sincerely,
Judy Gordon
Dear Judy, Thank you. These Chinese lessons will be my gift to you. You will be hearing from me. Adeline
Ms. Mah,
I love your books very much. You draw the reader into your world and you fully help us to understand and empathize your feeling. Odd question though: Do you think in retrospect that your stepmother was mentally ill in any way? Just a thought…
Thank you for making a non-reader hungry for more!
Virginia
I’ve read Chinese Cinderella so many times and I love it. I’m just beginning The secret dragon society.
I love everything chinese. I’d like to learn the language, but don’t know where to begin. Any Ideas?
I enjoy learning about different cultures.
Love Miriam
Dear Miriam, And I would love to teach you Chinese. Soon I will be sending you your first lesson.
Adeline
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!
Wow, I’m so thrilled!
Thankyou so much!
Hi my name is amerie and im 12 years old and I just finished your book Chinese Cinderella and it was the bast book ever! I would read it a again and a again!!!! I love the so much because it was a true story and i can just imagin how you were treted and how hard it was just to grow up. Then again I love the book!!!
Thank you, Amerie, for writing to me. Please visit again because I will be making an announcemnt on my website in a few days. Would you like to learn Chinese? Let me teach you! I will show you how to find your own Aladdin’s Lamp which is hidden in your computer. Rubbing it the right way will enable you to type Chinese characters all by yourself. KEEP TUNED FOR BREAKING NEWS!
Adeline
Dear Adeline,
I think you life and what you have been through is so interesting, shocking and amazing to hear about and to learn what it was like in those days. What a story it must be to tell, so very emotional, please write more books on the Chinese Cinderella stories, I just love them. They send me off in another world instead of revision.
Thanks!!
Dear Adeline,
I read your story for Yr 8 English. I remember my friend being obsessed with your book about 2 years ago, before she left my school. I really wished I read it. This book really got through to me. When I read your book, I became you. I smiled when you were treated fairly and I was crushed when you were put down. I cried when PLT died.
I am only 12 years old but I am not grateful for the things my parents give me. I usually want more. But your book has opened my eyes. I am envious of your strength. You never gave up and you made it and became a very successful person.
I am sorry that Niang prevented you from reading your father’s will. I bet he is watching over you now and is proud of you and has realised that you are not bad luck.
Thank you for writing such a beautiful story.
i love your books, are you planning to write more?
Please keep visiting. I am planning to teach all the children who wish to learn Chinese the Chinese language. I will show you how to find your own Aladdin’s Lamp. When you rub the lamp, a genie will appear who will help you read and write Chinese.
Adeline
That will be great
, my dad knows Chinese and he can help me 
Dear Wendy, I look forward to teaching you. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
Thank you for writing Chinese Cinderella. It has helped me in my life to appreciate how much and how little I have. I think of myself to be like you. I am the youngest child of my father’s first marriage. My mother and father separated when I was 8 and I have always had mixed feelings about them. Although they are my parents, I am aware that they are both good people with good hearts but have done many bad things. I relate to you since I have always felt unwanted. Before I was born, my sister whom I love and cherish was already intelligent and beautiful and perfect. Everyone said my mother was too old to want another child, but I don’t think she ever wanted another baby , not what she got anyway. My father had always wanted a son and 2 years before I was born, my mother had an abortion. I am positive that it was a boy, but since they already had a child in China, she was forced to give him up because she was living in China also. I always think that if that baby had survived, I would never had been needed to exist. I know my father was disappointed for another female. I’d always to needed to excel in school to be loved and now, at the age of twelve, I had shed so many tears of my unwanted-ness that I can no longer shed a single tear without shedding a whole bundle. My Ah-ma and Ah-goong (my grandparents), and my Ah-Gia (big sister) are the only ones who’ve ever truly loved me and never seen me as another way to make money. From 2nd grade I’d won many poetry competitions describing my life to strangers through rhymes and limericks. Now, I share that story of my life with you. Hoping you, one of my 5 main heroes in life (the other 3 being my sister, grandma, grandpa and her husband who’s been just as supportive of me as she has) would understand the pain that I am constantly in. My grandma was and still is my Aunt Baba. She is nurturing and caring and even on the days of my dark moods and thoughts that I am worthless, she comforts me and says that I am better than the man who’d been the source of my pain for so long, her son, my father. I now live with my sister, her husband and my grandparents. My father remarried someone half his age and they have the son he’d always wanted. My mother has also moved on and is getting her life straight. Although it seems as though everyone has moved on from that dark time in my family’s existence, I have not. My family has never known the pain I still have from being eight years old and watching my parents attack each other on so many levels. I’d seen those people I still consider strangers united by love and to be that young and see the same people you’d thought you’d known kill each other, it broke the innocence in me. I have now shared my life’s story with you and all I ask in return is a response. I don’t expect one though. And also, I would bet all the money in the world to say that when your grandfather died, yo were more beautiful than your Niang thought. I’d never had a chance to read falling Leaves but I bet that it was a great story. I only had a chance to read Chinese Cinderella by accident and the school library didn’t have Falling Leaves. I wish you a long and happy life, filled with everything for your family that you’s never gotten as a child.
Dear Karen, I understand everything that is in your heart. Believe in yourself and visit often. Keep a diary. Make good friends. Your whole life is ahead of you. Good luck! Adeline
Thank you for replying to me. it means so much and I would like you to know that I consider you one of my biggest heroes
Hi again if it doesn’t bother you Adeline would you like to tell me if your big sister was happy with her marrige please reply this will mean the whole world to me ohhh and by the way happy cinco the mayo happy 5th of may!!!!
testing testing 123
Hello im reading chinese cinderella for school and i find it a good book to read i would recomend it
May i ask what happened to your stepbrother/sister in the end?
Hello my name is Octavia Brown and i have read your book Chinese Cinderela and i liked it. some of it made me wanna cry because of how you and the kids were treated in the book. Even after all that you went through you didnt give up no matter what they did, and i look up to you for that. By reading the book it showed me that no matter what people say or do you kept you head up and got through it. And i thankyou for that
Dear Adeline,
I recently read your book Chinese Cinderella and The Secret Dragon Society, for a book report. It was absolutely fantastic!I have to admit it was the best book I have ever read. I used to read a lot, but lately I haven’t and when this book report came, I read your book and ever since then I have to keep reading. Your book is so gripping it’s a huge adventure! For a few moments it actually felt like i was one of the characters in the book! You have taught me so much. About people, culture and life itself. I know so many people have written about your brilliant books, though its all very true. I am 13. I have the rest of my life to read, and I will do that, thanks to you!
Hello Ms. Yen Mah,
I’ve read all of your books. What an amazing writer you are. The struggles you have overcome is beyond words. I wanted to get in touch with you and perhaps ask a few questions. I am the Korean daughter of a Korean mother who lived in Korea during the war. Like you, she has stories. She has lived a life that no one around can completely understand. My mom 70 years old and is now starting to forget. I wish to write a book for her. I don’t know where to begin. I only know her stories. I don’t know if you would take the time to talk to me, maybe get me started, but I just loved your books, and they have stuck with me over the years. When I thought of writing for my mother, the first person I thought of was you. Thanks you so much for sharing your life with others, and hopefully I will be able to share my mothers story with you.
I just want to ask you if you will make more posts like this one, well will you ?:)
Yes, I will! In fact, I would like to teach you (and everyone who wishes to learn) how to read and write Chinese. Please visit again soon and watch for the announcement.
Adeline
I read your books Falling Leaves and the book A Chinese Cinderella. These are two pieces of inspiring literature. These books showed me that I can get through the adversities that might be in my way. I also liked how you put in the chinese phrases; it allowed me to connect to you a little more. May God bless your life and soul. With Love – Eugenie (15 years old)
I just read your book and I couldnt put it down for one second.At times when I was reading yet I cryed especially at the part where your pet got killed, I am so sorry. I lived your life for nine years with my step-mom so I know how you must have felt.Right now I am reading Falling Leaves and when I am big I would like to write my story too. My family too consider me as bad luck but I i tend to ignore them most of the time and focus on my studies, i see thats the only way and your book helped me alot. Maybe I will meet you some day. You are an inspiration. I am from Srilanka and I am 13.
Kind Regards,
xxx
Hello Adeline Yen Mah, My name is Ashonda Little from Detroit MI. I’m a 9th grader to ply mouthed Educational Center. My teacher Ms. Lee assigned our class to read Chinese Cinderella. I really enjoyed this book. It’s very touching and understanding, it allows the readers (my classmates and I) to understand what you were going through. I’m glad my teacher Ms.Lee chooses this book for our school to read. It’s the type of book that doesn’t let you out it down, i’m a very emotional person and this book brought tears to my eyes especially chapter 11 PLT. I imagine how it would feel to be in your shoes. This book is great for people who actually and still do live the way you did. It really made me appreciate everything I have. You showed me to just continue to work hard, because it will all pay off in the future
. <3
hi Adeline,
i am currnetly doing a book project on chinese cinderella and the secret dragon society,i chose your bok for this project because it opened my eyes up to the world which people have to survive under extremely harsh conditions.It has also made me realsie that mabye for my career I could travel to the poor countries of earth and help with their needs- I want to make a difference to those whose have less than us.I have to make up five quiz questions and and the answers, it would be awsome if you could give me some questions and answers for it
thanks anyway, Imogen
Hey Adeline,
My class just got done reading Falling Leaves and we have to do 3 projects on this book. I am now working on my 3rd project, in which is a scrapbook that I must do on the story. This book has truly inspired me and I would like to thank you for opening up my eyes to the world. I have now seen what people are really like and what love really means. Your love for your Aunt Baba and your family is truly greatful and I am glad to see that you have a lovely husband and 2 beautiful children that love you. After everything you have been through, you defintily deserve it. The book is absolutly amazing and I have recommended it to several people. Thank you for your inspiration. You are an amazing person. (:
Dear adeline
I have just recently read your book chinease cinderella and it has made a big impact on me. The book made me cry at some points and i was heartbbroken when PLT was killed. I really felt the emotion and felt connected to you in some way it was definatly the best book i have ever read and i am about to start reading falling leaves. And please may i ask what inspired you to write about your life ? and thank you
hi i read your falling leaves book when i was 13 and i have read chinese cinderella. your books were so sad i even cried your stepmum sounds horrible.
Dear Adeline,
Your book Chinese Cinderella has changed my life! While reading it I cried many times and it would be a great honor if I ever met you. The way you were treated by your step mother sicked me, I felt so bad for you. But I had joy in my heart when I read that you became successful! You never gave up and it gives me hope to never give up, for that you are my personal hero! I hold your story close to my heart and always will.
P.S. I bawled my eyes out over the chapters of PLT and when the girls at Sacred Heart weren’t kind to you or you never got letters or visits. I am a huge pet-lover and hearing how much PLT loved you then sadly died broke my heart. And that you never got gifts or letters from your family.
My dearest hero,
Adeline, its awkward to address you in this way, considering how I’ve idolized you over these years and that this is public domain, but what the hay…I read Chinese Cinderella when it first was came out; I was seven at the time, and it has been the one constant dream of mine to meet you, in one way or another. At first, I was only drawn to it because of the title as I am also Chinese and at that point in my young life felt like Cinderella, but as I read about your life, I felt a powerful connection to you and your story. I have never felt wanted by my family, and cried myself to sleep for years reading about your pain because it was mine as well. Like you, I found that reading, writing, and escaping through words as my salvation and I credit much of who I am now to you. I was a quiet child, with my whole being captivated by books, discovering refuge from the pain, confusion, and rejection of my family. Though my scholarly accomplishments went unnoticed and my loneliness grew, so did my personal library. I sincerely thank you, because the pain you shared showed me I wasn’t alone and your success compels me to thrive in a future I create.
Hello Adeline,
For out Novel study this year in Year 11, we are reading you book, Chinese Cinderella. Most of us dislike reading,but thanks to your book we have all really enjoed reading it and studying it. We all felt emotional through reading the book. Reading your life story has really opened up our eyes to the cruel childhood you had. We all wished that we could of helped you, you didnt realise how bad it was when you were younger until you grown up to realise. We were wondering what your father had written in his will?
and also, do you keep in contact with any of your other family? eg. Brothers and Sisters.
We would be really gratefull if you replyed,
Thank You,
Charlotte, Beau and Monique.
Please read Falling Leaves. Adeline
hello, im from new zealand and in our year 11 english we are reading your novel ‘chinese cinderlla’ and there is a question i want to ask you, in the end when you left your family to go to europe, was that the last you have seen of them? or are you still in contact with them?
thanks, beau
Read Falling Leaves. It gives the rest of the story.
Hi… I just finished reading “Chinese Cindarella”, I’m a 16 year old male from Canada and nearly pushed tears out, coming to the part where PLT gets mauled by a wreckless, and ferocious mindless German Shepherd. and another part.. After reading this book I ultimately feel spoiled. I wish I knew you back in those days. I’m very heartfelt about this book; it’s so unique and powerfully touching. I wonder what it feels like. To have gone through your whole life being born here growing up being treated as worthless, and growing up into a shining light, astonishing the world, showing it what you are. I admire your spirit and heart, your strong personality, and everything. I feel proud inside for you. Very very great work, you’ve done it. well all I can say is that you have my respect and gratitude.
dear andeline… Thanks for your message.it would meant the world to us that you replied ! besides for all the sad times in your life did you ever have happy times and when ? please reply ! you rock our world and you inspire us so much!
xoxoxxo 
thanks
alexa and holly
I think you are an amazing writer.I am 8 now and I have read about 100 stories.And’Chinese Cinderella’ is the best story I’ve ever read.The chapter ‘PLT’ has made me want to cry.Actually,I don’t think your step-mother should slap you for no reason.I hope you don’t treat your children like that…….
Yours,Sierra
Dear mother adeline, I’m 13y.o and i have read lots and lots of books,but none of it has touched my heart and made my tears fall off!T_T
While reading one of your book [Chineese Cinderella] I kept on imagining that i was in your situation and i cried and cried, i mean tears kept falling of my eyes…
I’ve just borrowed the book from my school library and wished to have books of yours in my home!!!
I’m really starting to admire you and will always remember what your Ye Ye and aunt baba said.
So are you free from your prison now, since you went to england?
Mentari,
Living in Qatar, with my happy family.
dear adeline,
i am doing a report on you, because you are my favorite auother!!!!!!!!!!!
katie
Dear Adeline,
For a school book report I chose to read your book A Chinese Cinderella. I had no idea that your book would move me so much. Usually I do not enjoy reading books assigned for school projects but can honestly say this is one of the best books I have ever read. I’m the kind of teenage girl who reads silly teen books like the Twilight Saga and I never expected to enjoy a book like yours. I have recommended your book to all of my friends and my mom is currently reading A Chinese Cinderella. I look forward to reading your other books in the near future. Your life story has inspired me to try harder in school and proves that if you work hard enough anything is possible.
Thank you for your amazing books!
Dear Adeline i wish for u the best of the best i hope u reply if u could only tell me wat ur fathers will was i would be really glad even if u don’t tell me his will i wpould be pleased for u to reply ….
sinceraly,,,,lulu thank u!!!!
Hello, I belive this is really a really good webpage with terrific stuff. That may be why I plan to ask you if I can talk about your site on my website if I provide you with hyperlink back?
dear andeline… we admire you as we have both chalenged many difficulties in our lives and we would just love you to repy>> even if you wrote one sentence. it would mean the world to us. did you ever get to see that picture of you and your mother? thanks adeline. we truley love your books! es[ecially chinese cinderella. xoxoxoxo
holly and alexa
Dear Holly and Alexa, Thanks for your message. Read every day and visit often. Adeline
Hey Adeline Yen Mah. I have read your book Chinese Cinderella. I thought that this book should have been written because the little girls that are like you can have someone to realate to. I think that maybe the people that don’t like their parents should read this and see how lucky they are to even have the chance to have wonderful parents. I am a fifteen year old girl. When i read this i thought “Maybe I am lucky to have parents that pay attention to me when they want to and out of the blue.” My parents are 32 (mother) and 34 (father) and a step-mother that is 32. My mother is an alcoholic and my dad has promblems. I love my parents with all my heart. I would do anything that i could for them. My parents are a bit wrong but i get payed attention to. Adeline i would have loved to meet you. You are an inspiration to me that maybe i don’t have it that bad off, and that their are people in this world that have it worse off than I do.
Thank You for reading this and I hope the best for you…
Chyanna Marie Zuver
Dear Adeline,
I have posted a comment on the proverbs page which pretty much summarises the impact the two books have had on me; it is very powerful writing. As a teacher of English, I find it an excellent resource to stimulate student’s sense of justice and empathy.
I am compiling a resource for my students, a concept map on A3. This will comprise of a family tree and a double time line of significant family and world events. I have a couple of questions to ask. What happened to Grand Aunt? She resigned from the bank in 1953 at the age of 87 and you mention that the on your visit to China that the bank had been re-named. I presume that the bank was nationilised by the communists. When and how did this happen? Is the fur coat that Niang is wearing in the photograph in Chinese Cinderella, the Russian sable coat that your father brought for her when they were courting?
I find it interesting how the subtext of the book, power and how it is used and abused is played out in a couple of vital situations. I have a theory that economically and socially powerful people confuse the boundaries of their power; that is they consider themselves invincible. The two tragic examples in the text are when your father ignores the advice of his doctor and fails to send your mother to hospital for post natal care. Was this an example of sexism or the arrogance of power or perhaps just the wrong decision made by a young man? Your father clearly loved your mother and I have no doubt that this poor decision haunted him over the years. The second example is Franklin. The spoilt brat with a toxic personality. Niang had given him the impression that he could do whatever he liked, whenever he liked. He didn’t have to wait until he got home to eat the strawberries. I can imagine the chauffeur or Susan encouraging him to ‘have another strawberry…’ while quietly reflecting on the quality of the soil in which they were grown.
Regards, Alistair Andersen
Dear Adeline, you are such an inspiration! I just finished both Chinese Cinderalla and Falling Leaves and feeling totally connected. Any plans to bring the play of Falling Leaves to Melbourne, Australia?
dear adeline it has been a long time since i sent messages to you. When i read your books i understood every word of your stories. it touched me. When i read falling leaves especially i thought it was all a lie. When i searched you up and your books i started crying. I couldn’t have been wronger. My friend is going in a situation as you. She read falling leaves first before me and her parents got divorced. She is getting a stepfather and is scared that what you have been through is going to happen to her. She is chinese but she doesn’t know how to speak much of chinese. I love your books and i’m going to post more messages to you more often. Before this message ends everyday when things go bad i will contact you and send you a message to know more about my life as i grow up.
From your friend: Nicholas
Thank you, Nicholas. Not all step-parents are awful. Some are very nice. It depends on your friend’s luck. I look forward to receiving your future messages. Adeline
thank you adeline so much for your comments. You are a very nice person and i promise when something exciting in my life happens i will tell you all about them. I would also like to know if you don’t mind, how you are soo good at english? oh! wait i read chinese cinderella and the secret dragon society. Your aunty was nice in that book! it was funny when you were saying to your aunty that you called your stepmom “MAMA” and then she said that you have to call her “Fathers New Woman.” i like reading your books and i’m 11 years old as well. I’m Vietnamese and my neighbours are chinese and they are really nice like you. We sometimes have a great time going over at their house. I am waiting for your new upcoming books so i’m really trying to find the best one to suit me. Right now i’m reading chinese cinderella and the secret dragon society. I just started but i’m already adicted to it.
Thank you Adeline and i will keep in touch
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
Your books, Chinese Cinderella and Falling Leaves, are amazingly interesting to hear about. Our class read the books in class, and I found that I would stay up later than usual to read your books. I love everything you write and how you write it. I have only one question to ask you. Do you still talk to your siblings?
Thank you!!
~Katharine S.
Hi Adeline!
At school I’ve been reading your books and I absaloutely love them! I think Chinese Cinderella is really sad and I kept crying when I read the bit about Precious Little Treasure. I am in the middle of reading Chinese Cinderella and the Mystery of the Song Dynasty Painting. I was surprised how many of my friends know about it!
I think it was really brave of you to write your life story in Chinese Cinderella because it was so heart-breaking!
Thankyou!
From Louise (10 years of age)!
Hi Adeline Yen Mah
Today is 4/23/10..I live in Chico California in a very small unknown town..Today i just got finished reading your book Chinese Cinderella. I was so pleased that this book had touched my heart and very soul because i was once in your position also! Im at the age of 16 going on to the age 17 on October 1st. One thing is i was doing research about your book Falling Leaves.I really want to read it but cant afford it yet so i got to wait a bit for the money to purchase it and when im done reading it,i’ll tell you how much i a pleased with it. I wish one day to get to see you in person! That’s one wish i would love to accomplished.Thanks for writting th e book Chinese Cinderella..I was like you too!!I love to read.Reading for me came to life like i live in those stories and craved for my parent’s love. But now its all over for me. Nice to send you this note Yen Mah. God Bless you and may he be with you always and succeed in whatever you do and what you touch may become defined beautiful as more than ever..I really treasure and cherish you Yen Mah..i wish i was as strong and brave like you
Dear Adeline yen Mah ….
I would like too ask you to questions about your book chinese cinderella? i am 13 years old and i really enjoyed reading your book. I admire you. 1) What was the hardest period of your life ? 2)how did you feel about your mothers death? do you think it was your fault? do you blame yourself? 3) after how your dad treated you, do you see him and do you treat him well? please answer 2 of my question asap… i really admire you and i would love to know and show my class. I loved your book!
Hello Adeline,
i am a student at med high school in cyprus. In my English class we are currently in the process of reading your book ‘Chinese Cinderella’. We are all enjoying it so much, especialy what you had to go through when you were young, Niang didnt sound like a very nice person! Anyway, we wondered if we could get in touch with you in anyway (Like on skype or msn).It would be very nice to hear from you.
Yours faithfully,
George.
hello my name is cailyn carraher i am in the 6ht grade and i go to park place middle scool in monreo washington i am doing a report type essay on a person who is famouse or not famouse that you look up to or that changed are life in history i chose you because i am a writer writing my own book myself and i like how you whent through all that to finnely get your dream. the essay is called the hour of the hinprbles so i was wondering if i can interveiw you, get something from your life or something like that so i can do my essay report thing i really do not now what to call.
I just finished your book and it was so wonderful. My parents were older when they had me and my brother. The older siblings were just different from us. While I enjoyed the book sooooo much, I was especially spell bound and couldn’t tear myself away at the end when it came to the deaths and reading of the wills. I went through a similar situation and was just hooked in because I could relate to the “feelings” around it. I could just feel your intense pain at the betrayal, denials, and passive/aggressive behaviors. I’ve never experienced a book that has taken me to that depth of what I went through during that time. It’s something so hard to put in words. I also was just sick hearing about the duck. And both furious and sick about the celebration for making class president. I just can’t understand Niang or how she could even live with herself. It makes me really wonder how she could think the way she did. Adeline…you are an inspiration and a very special person. You have blessed so many with your talents.
To Ms Mah.
I was very touched by your book, Chinise Cinderella and Falling. I just finished reading it and found they were astonishing. I wonder how you coped all those years. It must have been really hard to cope as a child.
I was curious and wanted to ask you a question; what was the reason you decided to write an autobiography about yourself.
Hello Adeline!
I am Hailey Adams from the seventh grade in Issaquah Washington. In my english class we have been given an assignment to read a biography and make a scrapbook that ties into the story. I was looking through my school’s library and could not find a single person’s life story that interested me, that is until I browsed even further and found your book,”Chinese Cinderella”. I have read it and found it very interesting. Now I am in the process of creating the scrapbook. I have found it a very interesting process and find your life story touching. I especially liked your relationship with PLT and Wu Chun Mei. Thank you for writing this story. It has very much helped me, and it saved me from having to create another simple report on a house held name that everyone else has done. Thank you very much.
Dear Mrs Adeline,
I just got finished reading your book Falling Leaves. I was so touched by your story that I had to contact you and share my thoughts. Your writing is so vivid and powerful that it makes me feel your pain. What you went through was just unheard of. I think about how sometimes I hate my family and how I say that its the worse family to be in, when in fact there is way worse than what I have. I should be thankful and I am after reading your book. As I read on and followed you through your ups and downs I really enjoyed hearing of your success. Too read as you became a strong successful woman is amazing! Anything is truly possible if you strive to achieve it and never give up. I learned that from you. Thanks You.
Yours Truly,
Keeana
Dear Adeline,
I am 13 years old and i will be 14 soon. i am so touched by your book at such a young age After reading it the first time i cried I thought, that poor poor girl nobody on this earth should be treated that way. that night when i finished reading the book i layed in my bed thinking about the story and how lonely it must have been and how sad you must have been but you did have some kind family members right?
I too have rough times in my childhood. But not nearly as sad as yours :’(
I love your books so much their very inspiring. I would love to meet you your an amazing person and you must be VERY strong to have gone through all of that sorrow in your childhood.
God bless you adeline! thank you for sharing your story with us
I hope life is better than ever for you now!
i forgot to mention i love readiong i finished ur book in one day and i’m doing a research report for school i live in california moreno valley i live by a sreet named abedul god bless u
u r a super hero!!!!
OMG I read this book when I was like in primary about four years ago. It was an ispiring novel and it really touched my heart. Unfortunately I have not had the time read all your other books as I am in highschool now in year nine. I really thing that you should be congratulated on the many hearts you have inspired and enlightened and the hearts that will be inspired and enlightened with each and every book that you write in the future. Thankyou Adelaine for making realise what wonderful and loving parents I really have.
Love Loredana
Dearest Adeline, thank you for writing this book as i has inspired me lot, though i have a happy family but i cant help feeling that you had a sad childhood as your parents did not love you, you are very good writer and i love your books. i cried terribly when i read on how you were treated by your siblings and parents. you are a clever and firm woman. nothing can change what you decide. Ms. adeline, i am really happy to know that you are happy now with a caring husband and two fillial children. have a happy and good life ahead!
God Bless You and your family
love, kelly
dear adeline, i read chinese cinderella with my mum over the easter holidays. i am 11 years old. your story really touched us both. we were sad when plt died. you were a very brave child. you desevred lots of luck. did you see a photo of your mother? do you have a family of your own? do you live in england? thank you x
Dear Adeline
For the past few months my ninth grade class has been reading chinese cinderlla. It is a phenomenal book. the saddest part in the book for me is when PLT got killed.You have been through alot of things in your life when you were growing up. You had a family that did’nt appreciated you and a father that did not show you any love. With all the pain that you went through you rose above it all and became successful with your life.
I hope you have more successes in the future
Sincerely,
Alexandra
Dear Dr Yen,
I found your book, Chinese Cinderella , very well written. I am a student at a school in South Africa doing a assignment where I have to interview you on the book. If I can get a reply from you, I will be most flattered. I hope you a doing very well in America, and hope to read your other great novels. Thank you
Dear Adeline,
I have recently read together with my calss Chinese Cinderella.It was a heartwarming story which gave me hope and shows how when you’re in the deepest depths you can still comw through and be strong. From the minute i picked up your book i couldn’t stop reading. Now I would like to get Falling leaves which I also heard is fantastic.
i would like to ask you some questions on your book including if you ever found out what your mother looked like? Please reply.
Best regards,
Sarit
Hi, I just want to know what happened after falling leaves. I know that Aunt BaBa passes away and you found your father’s will, but does “James” split the money with you the way that he should or does he stick to niang’s will?
Please read A Thousand Pieces of Gold.
Adeline
Dear Ms Mah
I am doing a report on you and I was wondering if there was a certain place or possible a historical event that influenced you. If you could e-mail me a reply that would be great.
hi my name is daniel chavez,and im 16 years old,and i am a shopmore in farragut high school.just finished your book of chinese cinderella and it is interesting and loving and sad story. when i started reading your book i started to think of my whole family that it would happen the way it it happen to your family.when i started reading i was about to cry because it’s a sad and true story that happen to you spending all the hard times about your ciblings. i’m vary sorry about your lost mama that past away giving birth to you been sick for couple of days i’m a big fan of you and i also like your book.
sincerly
your number 1 fan daniel chavez
and can you send me a message to my yahoo mail when you have a chance
Dear Ms. Mah,
I am doing a research paper on you. In order to complete my paper I need to know, what are some of the places that influenced you? Or a historical event? If you could e-mail me that would be great. Thank you
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
I read Chinese Cinderella when I was seven in my english Kumon and I felt like I wanted to read more. My parents bought me Chinese Cinderella the book and that night my mum and I started reading. We felt like readng more and could not stop. Once we finished the first one I got Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society. Reading a few chapters of Chinese Cinderella is the best part of my day. I have learnt from your book that if you set your mind to something you can achieve it. Are you writing another book for children? I would love to hear from you.
Regards,
Monica
Dearest Adeline,
We have been reading your autobiography in class, it’s made a lot of children around me realise how much of an escapade a child hood can be. I can relate to you’re childhood. It makes you want to read it even more when you can relate. It was such a compellig tale of a daughter who has been maltreated by her stepmother – let a lone you – your siblings too.
My childhood was a struggle, and as you grow up, you realise that you aren’t a lone. I had a pet just like PLT. It was a beagle. I loved it. I cared for it. It was my best friend at the time. Until my father came home and put it down, he didn’t like dogs roaming our house. Thankyou for letting your story out there. You’re an inspiration to me, one day, i wish to write and publish my own autobiography too.
Thankyou Adeline.
Dear Adeline,
As a university student in Australia your book, Chinese Cinderella, is compulsory for me to read in one of my subjects. Out of all the books I have read, yours is the only one I feel compelled to write to the author and tell my thanks.
I am touched by your heart and your goodness. I cried in your book, and although I can’t say I have ever been unloved, I could almost feel the pain your were feeling. How I wish the world was a better place!
Thank you for sharing your feelings and experience with the world, I know many children will have learned a lot from reading it.
Take care, and keep writing!
Alex
Hi Adeline,
I read your book and it touched a part of my soul like nothing else ever has. I cried and cried throughout,you are a brilliant writer and i felt as if i was you.You sucked me into your story, it is finominal. Just have one question, did you ever get to see a photograph of your mother? It has been getting on my nerves ever since i read your book.
G-d Bless
Thanks
Gila (13)
Hi Adeline,
I have already read your book once in class (I am 13) I am noow reading it for the second time as I will need to learn all the different relationships of your family throughout the book for my exam:Common Entrance which gets me into my senior school. I am now at school in London. I love your book. I loved it when I first read it when I was 10 and I love it even more the second time. I love writting creative pieces and I am not bad at it! Your book leaves me curious did Niang and Siblings, Father ever read this book? Where they angry because you told everyone how you were treated?Where they sad that they put you through all of it and they now knew how you felt? Please write back I would love to know.
From Grace
hello adeline,
your book truly touched me
it is amzing what you have been through you are a inspiration to all.
We have an assignment about you and i would very much appreciate if you could answer a few questions for me
thanks holly nivison
Hi Adeline
Im here to say that i read your autobiography ”Chinese Cinderella” Im so shocked that your Niang was mean to you i was about to throw the book when i was at the part when Niang told you you had to get a job because of school fees that was mean to say to you and you were 14 Then your Father didnt even know your name or YOUR BIRTHDAY he didnt even try to take interest in you you were completely invisible to them i also thought the part when you was at Sacred Heart ( the name of the school sounds beautiful ) and you get an egg that shows that you were cherished and loved and it said that your parents had never came you went 730 eggless days until someone gave you an egg oh i was so happy for you when you made friends with Rachel Yu and Mary Suen that was my favorite part oh then they said you were going to be most successful even when you said you were NOTHING oh i was shocked that you won the international Playwriting competition and your name was in the paper and for the first time your Father recognized you and was proud of you You went through so much im glad that its over know and you could live your life now
i think i saw that you have other books i would like to read them
Dear adeline, i just read your book chinesse chinderella iloved it. I thought they way you were treated by your step mom was terrible. I think she treated you that way way because you were a wink link to her. I find it sad about your duck PLT and how your aut baba and yeye got treated. i love all your books and have read Chinesse Cinderella twice.
Hi Adeline,
My Name is Deja. The past month my ninth grade class has been reading your book. “Chinese Cinderella”, The book was really interesting and I really enjoyed it. It made me happy and sad at the same time. All the pain you conflicted from an unloved family I know had to be terrible. Being unloved by your father I really understand. I didn’t know my father for 10 years of my life and it always hurted me in side because I could never understand why he never thought about me, wanted to know what I looked like how was I doing never came to see me. He disappeared from my life. Even through I know him know doesnt make the pain and tears and thoughts go away. It’s funny beacuse how can you love someone you hated so much. You had your aunt Baba was the key to your heart she was someone you can run to when things went wrong but for me I didn’t I kept lots of my feelings locked inside beacuse it never seemed liked no one cared. I have many of friends but I can never really express my self to them. I have a question for you through.. How do you let go of pain you endored in your life? How do you forget?. Your book really touched my heart and I am happy you turned out successful and i hope happy. To me there is always a happy ending.
Love,
Thee Imperfection Cinderella
P.s Thank you.
Dear Deja, I understand only too well what you are going through. My escape was to live in the imaginary world of books. Adeline
My ninth grade students at PEC Prep just finished reading Chinese Cinderella. I have asked them to contact you with their thoughts and feelings about your story. They should have some interesting thoughts.
Ilene Judith Lee
9th Grade Humanities Teacher
PEC Prep High School
Detroit, MI
Dear Ilene, I love hearing from your students. Thank you. Adeline
hi, i have just read your book chinese cinderella, i havent been able to put it down.
This is a very moving story and i felt i was living your life with you,it was quite emotional to read. I am now going to buy fallen leaves.I am glad life came out the other side for you. kind regards Tracey
Adeline,
I just finished reading you book Chinese Cinderella. I was amazed by the story! you have inspired me. thank you! your book was very touching!
Hello!!
I just read your book Falling Leaves. I enjoyed it very much. I cried the whole night because I think that you are very poor and your niang （娘） is really very unfair.
I really cried out loud when your little bird (PLT)got bitten by the dog. I felt really sad and really wanted to save it if I could.
I wish you all the best!
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
First of all I want to say that your book was amazing and I enjoyed every word!!!!
I relly wnt to stay in touch with you (by e-mail) so I can hear the smaller details from you like:
Did you ever find your fathers will?
Did you love your father and Niqng?
Are you in touch with youe half siblings?
and I really want to know more about the way your parents and family treated you.
I want you to understan pne thing even though I am only 13 years old I imagend how I would behave if I was in your shoes.
I am a Jewish girl who lives in Israel and in the past I lived in the U.S.A. and my parents wanted me to read a book in English and i tried to read tons of books and I wasn’t able to finisj any of those books until I found your book so thank you for a spectacular book and I jope you fo wrte me.
From Gali Lahav.
Hello!!!
I love your book Chinese Cinderella… I cried soooooooo much!
We read it at school and it is one of my most FAVOURITE books! I dressed up as chinese cinderella (you!) on world book day!
I REALLY like that you shared your life with us and it shows us and tells us how people have to live with all of the child abuse that goes on in the world! I love the sound of P.L.T. your duckling… that’s the point that I cried!
Where in the world did you get all of this information from about your life!
I suppose you wrote a diary or something!?
I just PRAY that you will forget all of that has happened and that you will leave it behind!
Those parents of your’s MUST have loved deep down inside their hearts and Niang should of learned a lesson.
I desperately want to read Falling Leaves, but I just can’t find it ANYWHERE!
I want you to know what a talented writer you are because of what has happened in the past it is AMAZING that you got this far in life with an AMAZING reputation!
You are one of my favourite writers and I would just LOVE to meet you!
Best regards,
Jess!!!
PS Bye!!!
Dear Dr. Yen Mah,
I cannot tell you how much your story has touched me. When I was only in third grade we had a book fair at my school which your book Chinese Cindrella was showcased. It stood out to me and quickly grabbed my attention. Over the past 9 years I have read it about 30 or so times. When I found out about Falling Leaves I knew I had to read that as well. I am now in my last year of high school, and a lot of things have changed with me, but Chinese Cindrella and Falling Leaves are still my favorite books and I’m pretty sure it will always be. I really could relate because of I had gone through a similiar situation, but not as extensive as you have gone through. Your book has given me hope when I went through hard times, and much strength. Over the years I’ve been trying to contact you to tell you what an inspiration you are and hopefully you’ll be able to read this.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
My name is Christina, but my friends call me Chrissi. I am 14 years old. Your book was one of the 4 that I am required to read during the summertime (for my advanced placement courses.) It was the fist book I picked up (out of the four) and in less than an hour I am on chapter 15. I cried aloud, and yelled and voiced my thoughts on the injustice you went through. WhenI read that you had a website, I knew I had to contact you.
Allow me to explain: Books are my best friennds. Altough, for sometime now, even though I devour them faster than ever, they have not held the same emotional conection they once had. Thank you for helping me to come back to myself…thank you for giving me my best friends back.
I hope to hear from you soon,
Chrissi
Hi Adeline ^.^
First off I’d like to tell you that I finished reading Chinese Cinderella for the second time and I will be reading Falling Leaves the next time I go to my library.
I’ve had mixed thoughts about what I want to be when I finish school, and what I should study. My first option is a youth counsellor but I also want to be a nurse, but after reading Chinese Cinderella for the second time, you have inspired me to be a youth counsellor.
Your story has brought so many tears to my eyes, and made me even more thankful with what I’ve got. You have amazing strength and I know you’d be such an inspiration to so many other people out there. I know myself I wouldn’t be able to live through what you have been through and like I said your strength amazes me.
You didn’t deserve the to be the unwanted child, no child deserves it, I am very glad that life turned for you and you got your wishes to go to England. I just hope your happy now. Thank you for sharing your story, you are my inspiration
Hi Dr. Adeline Yen Mai
Hope you are well.
My name is Parvin, I’m 10 years old, and I was given the book ‘Chinese Cinderella’ by my adoring older sister. I am learning Mandarin at school, and I like to read a lot. I am reading chinese cinderella for the third time now, and I find it fascinating. I starting reading the book when I was 9 years old. I’ve also read the book ‘A little princess’ which you mention in your introduction. I really enjoyed reading this book, but I found it very sad.
I’m going to read more of your books.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many kind regards
Parvin (UK)
Dear Parvin, Please write to me again next year in Chinese. Adeline
dear adeline
we are reading chinese cinderella at the moment and have realized how lucky we are
from orla and india
Dear Adeline
I really (L) chinease cinderella it was so emotional i would love 4 you to come and visit my school in slough it would create a lot of happiness in my heart!i know i may sound a bit stupid but did you ever find your fathers will and i hate niag to bits she was so mean and horrible to you, but as they say beauty=mean ugly=clever and okay=clever or dumb but personally i think you are beauty but not mean clever though less people are!
i think that you are better than any author alive !
Dear Dr. Yen Mah,
I have just read your book Chinese Cinderella, given to me to read by my English teacher Mrs. Martinez. Truthfully I was resistant to start reading your book because, of my thought of a repetitive “Cinderella Story”. Never the less, I was highly recommended to read your book by Mrs. Martinez. So, I started to read and I was fascinated by the “Author’s Note” and the “Preface” just in the first few pages, let alone by the actual story. The history of the Chinese language and just one name in it clinched my interest. I am so thankful for my teacher who strongly encouraged me to reads this book. And as for your story, it truly helped me realize how loved I am and to never take advantage of that. Also, your story has sparked my interest in Chinese history, specifically in the Chinese language. I cannot wait to read your book Falling Leaves!
Throughout your life who would you say inspired you to have the morals you do? Also, at any point did Niang ever call to attention what she did wrong towards you?
I truly believe you are a true testimony to what people need to do in extremely difficult times. I am sure you are told this all the time, but, you are an amazing and inspirational person. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Stephen C.
Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Stephen, China is a big country with over one billion people and a long and fascinating history. Please read China, Land of Dragons and Emperors. It will introduce you to Chinese culture and history. Adeline
Dear Adeline,
I picked up Chinese Cinderella and I did not want to put it down. When I read your words, it seemed like I was actually there. Chinese Cinderella made me look again at how glad I am to be placed so in the world. I am sorry about how life has treated you, and hope it treats you better in the future. How could you stand it? How could you even keep caring about people who have treated you so? You seem the most incredible person, with the kindest heart I have ever heard of. Thank you for opening up to me- the world, through your eyes.
Hoping you the best of fates,
L.A.C.
My English class and I have finished reading your book “Chinese Cinderella”.I just wanted to tell you how much your book has inspired me to reach my full potentail. Thank You
hello my name is abilio and my english class just finished reading your book chinese cinderella. I was very touched and felt a lot of emotion coming from it. the way the miss treated you and you still pulled through to be a great better person. have you ever thought of what type of person you might of turned out if you were favored in the family? mabey you woulnd of force yourself to be the best but i know your probably a kind person no matter what. your book in an example of what one must do in life that even if things get tough you get back on the horse. That is what makes the world spin.
Hello! My name is Juana. My class and i read your book Chinese Cinderella. i thought the book was really amazing and super interersting. The details were shocking by the way they used to treat you. I really wished that wouldn’t have happen to you or anyone in this world because everyone has to get treated equally. How are you doing now that you are older? Have you told your kids about your life experience? If so how did they reacted? I hope i get to hear from you soon. Love Juana
Hello Adeline,
I just finished reading Chines Cinderella in my English class and I loved reading every chapter.I admire you as a strong independent women because of all that you whent through. Your book as made me change the way i think about life.And Im looking foward on reanding Falling leaves.I have a couple pf questions.Did you ever see your Aunt Baba again after she worte you the letter? Also did you ever get to see a picture of your mother?
We recently read your book “Chinese Cinderella” in our English class. I don’t know how a person can live knowing that your own family does not care about you. This book has thought me one thing, even if a dream as simple as in going to college, seams as if it will never happen, you must still have fait, because wonderful thing could still happen.
I also have a question for you
What did you major in at college?
Also how is England like? i am planning on traveling their soon.
hello adeline,
i have many question for you redarding your book Chinese Cinderella. First question is how did you survive all those years living with Niang and going through the abuse? My second question is did you ever get to see a picture of your mother? I love how you explained your feelings in this book. I Read this book for my english class before then i never knew this book excestced. Now that i know abtout it i will recommed it to everyone your story has touch me to live my life to the fullest beacuse i know there is other girls my age out there suffering and probaly going through worst. Thank you Adleline for writting your story to the whole wrold.
Dear Mrs Mah,
I was touch by your book,Chinese Cinderalla.It was the best book i have ever read!It was very intresting and most of my schoolmates in school were asking me to lend them after reading.One part of story have also came out in my exam when i was in primary 5 last year.Good Luck!
Dear Adeline,
I have just finished your book Chinese Cinderella in English class, and I just want to tell you how I felt about the book. I loved the book very much and I thought it was amazing. I am eager to read more of your books whenever I get the chance. I am so happy at how your life turned out in the end. The book was sad at times and I like how you never gave up. There are so many things i want to know about you and what happens later in your life. First, what happened when you got to England? And how long were you there? I also want to know, what did you do when you finished college?
I’m so happy for you and how successful you are. I hope that your life has been well and that you are happy now. I also hope that your future will be full of happiness.
Dear Adeline,
I read your book in my English class and I thought it was a good book. I remember when your pet PLT died by the dog and that was a sad moment because i have a few pets and love them very much too. I like how you got over all your pain and everything and i am glad you are not in any more pain. I think you are a very good writer also. Do you have any pets today that you love as much as you loved PLT? Also, How did you feel when Niang died?
Sincerely,
Dax
PS- please reply, i would appreciate it.
Hello Adeline
All I wanted to say is that we just finished reading your book in my English class and we loved it.I hope you write more books so we can enjoy them.Your book is so far the best book I’ve read my entire life. I will tell all my friends to read itand I’m sure they’ll like it like I did.
Did you like school in England?
Do you like living in New York?
I have read your book Chinese Cinderella for my English class, and I thought it was very interesting. One of the parts in the story that I liked was how it tied into the political events occurring to China during that time, and how it may of had a major effect on your life. Something I was wondering was what has happened to your entry for the playwriting contest after you won? I am sorry if you explained anything about it in your other books, but it was something I had thought about once I finished reading Chinese Cinderella.
Dear Adeline,
I was just writing to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed reading your book, Chinese Cinderella. Not that I take pleasure in reading about others unfortunate lives, but in knowing that you ultimately triumphed through it all. I also wanted to compliment you on how well put together your book is, and how the structure of it all urges the reader to continue until the very last page.
Along with these comments and compliments, I had two questions I wanted to ask. In writing the book, did you go from an original script to a version aimed more at younger reading audiences in keeping true that you said “Although Chinese Cinderella was written when I was in my late fifties, inside I am still the same little five-year-old yearning for the love of my parents.”, or was it just a coincidence? I was also wondering if you preferred the newer version of Cinderella more or less than the Chinese one?
Sincerely,
Omar
Hey ADELINE!!
I’m a student in Sunny Slope high school and my name is Ramiro Lopez and I loved your book “chine censorial” and I jus wont you to know I enjoyed reading your book and to kip wreathing good books and wish u a good career in wreathing good books
“Do you ever wish your family was different?”
“Did you ever get another baby chick?”
Your book is a very emotional book that goes from being unloved to being a very outstanding person. If you were related to me I would treat you with respect because you deserve that and much more. I hope you are doing well now and that your family loves you.
Hello there Adeline!
I really liked your book , its very touching . What is the difference between “Falling Leaves” and “Chinese Cinderella”? What inspired you to write a book? Have a blessed day!!
Hello,
I liked how you stood up to Niang. Also when you were going to plot against your step mother. How was it going to England? Did you make up with your step mom? It was amazing how you endured all that pain and suffering. It gives the people hope and encouragement. Do you like the Chinese version of Cinderella or the American version?
Cordially,
Sebastian Kee
Hello Adeline (:
I have recently finished reading your book Chinese Cinderella in my English class. I have enjoyed reading your book. I’ve been very touched by it. I believe many other kids can relate to you and are treated the way you were but jus can’t seem to tell anyone. And I also believe you were a very courageous as a child. Other than your grandfather believing in you, I was wondering if there was anything else that encouraged you to succeed? Also did you ever find another pet friend like BLT?
Hello Adeline, I read your book Chinese Cinderella in my Sophomore English class. I really liked your story and and admired your courage to keep fighting to show you were somebody. I want to ask if you know now what your real birth date is? I also want to know if you keep contact with your family(sisters, and brothers?)
HEY ADELINE!!
I’m a student at Sunnyslope High School. I really enjoyed reading your book you tought me alot about how your whole life was. I’m also sorry about PLT i also had a pet that i loved as much as you.
Here are some questions for you.
How did you deal when your aunt baba was separated from you??
Do you still keep on tach with your old friend??
Well hope you have a great life..
Dear Adeline,
I reseatly read your book Chinese Cinderella in my sophomore english class. You’re story of your life is interesting and sad, I’m glad it had a some what happy ending. I would have given up if my family had treated me so wrongly.
What did you feel everyday living in your father’s home?
What was it like in the convent school in Hong Kong?
hello miss. I really like your book. At first i thought the book would not be interesting to me, but then i kept reading and found that i could relate to it. How long were you a obstatritian? Was it dificult to write about your life?
hey adeline, i really loved your book! its ma second favorite book!
even doh i havent had a hard childhood like yours, i still feel like i can relate to your book “chinese cinderella”.
did u ever find out about your fathers will??
do you remember your actual birthday?? or do you celebrate it november 30?
Hey there Adeline. (: I loved your book Chinese Cinderella. I thought it was very well written and didn’t actually consider that it could have been a real story and just assumed that it was fiction until it was over and I studied it more thoroughly; to my surprize the touching story of Jun Lings hardships and overall accomplishments were true. How did you get up the courage to write such a detailed book about your childhood? How did your father feel when you wrote it?
hey hi hope you doing good after all you been trough i just wanted to ask you how was school in england?
Dear Mrs. Yen Mah,
Your memoir has stolen many hearts of my English class. I was shocked to see how much you went through as a young girl. The book has showed me that there are many people all over the world who struggle through life more than others. Also, there are many Cinderella stories out there. I have two curious questions for you. At what age did you graduate from college? What was your genetic mother’s name? Thank you for reading this!
Dear Adeline, I am a sophomore in high school. We had to read your book, Chinese Cinderella for our English class. During the beginning of the book, I did not like it at all. But, as it progressed, it got much better. Especially when you were rescued from the convent. I had a couple of questions for you as well. First, did you have any other pets other than PLT and the dog? As for my second question, I would like to know how many years of schooling did you go through to get where you are today?
Sincerely, Roy.
I really liked your book I think it was really emotional and interesting. I belive that you helped many people that feel like this and have been through this situation. I really would like to know if you ever got to tell your step mother and your dad about the way you felt. you also enspire me and other people too because you became a writer like you wanted which is a great example that makes me see that you can acomplish what you want. also I would like to know how did you feel about going to so many different schools and having to make new friends and leaving friends behind.
Hi Adeline,
this is oscar writing to you.i just wanted to tell you how much i enjoyed reading youre chinese cinderella book. it was facenating reading every single page you wrote.i hope i meet you some day,because i think youre a great rider.
Dear Yen Mah,
I really loved your book, Chinese Cinderella, it was so mean of your stepmother to treat you the way she treated you. Your book is very touching it made me really sad when they killed PLT just because it was yours. its also must be really sad that your father didn’t even remember your name and your birth date. Even though you were treated very bad you still went through school and sometimes made soom of your dreams come true, like for instance, when you finally got your dad to let you go to England with your brother to go study. Your book really inspired me by teaching me that even though you are not treated equally there are stil people that love you. Also that if you try your hardest you will sometimes get what you want.
how is it that you went through all your life and not really letting problems affect you in life? For me it would have been very difficult going along great in school and going along with life if my mom didn’t love me. Also, did you ever get to see your aunt baba? It seems that she really loves you alot keeping all your report cards and always being there for you when you needed it. Thanks for teacing me the true meaning of life that if you don’t try hard you won’t get anywhere..
Dear Ms. Yen Mah,
I am a student at Sunnyslope High School and have had the privilege to read one of your books, Chinese Cinderella. I was very pleased with the story line and how you brought yourself to life.
I believe that what people go though and what their life experiences are, are what will define who they will be later one. Have you ever heard the quote, “Whatever does not kill you, makes you stronger.” I feel like I could relate to your writing, because of my life experiences and what I have been through. Thank you for allowing outsiders in on the secrets to surviving a harsh world.
It has been a privilege,
Mary Margaret Smack Duemler-Tyler
Dear Adeline, I thought your book was a great read. It had a very compelling story and was inspiring
Dear Adeline, I thought your book was a great read. It had a very compelling story and inspired me to do my best in school.
Dear Mrs. Yen Meh
This year in our English our teacher had chosen for us to read your book and from the first page to the last I could not put it down. I am touched by the courage you had to stay and continue on with your family. You were so smart as I child and so loving I was blown away bye how your family treated. No child should ever have to go through that and yet you still had all the strength in the world to go through that. I am very touched bye the story you have told and it will always be a story that sticks with me. Through out the book I had always wondered you hadn’t just run away? Did you ever get to see your Aunt Baba again? How did you find the strength to stay with your family?
Thank you Mrs. Yen Meh for sharing your story with the world
Hi Adeline,
How are you? My name is Jason and I really love your book The Chinese Cinderela. It was the best noval i have read in years. Did you really skip that many grades in school? Also, i think it was very messed up that your step mother really did that stuff to you. Can you write another book like this because i really liked it?
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
Our class just finished reading your book && it was awseome!
Most of our class enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed it because you decided to share something very personal that happened to you && many people wouldn’t do that. You are very brave for writting Chinese Cinderella.
There are alot of people that are going through what you went through.
You are a great example of someone that never lost hope && Kept moving foward. It must of felt horrible to know that your family didn’t like you. You really inspiered me to move forward , never lose hope , && forgive those that don’t like me.
Why did you decide to write Chinese Cinderella?
Do you && all your sibilings talk to eachother after all that happend?
-Jovana
Hello Yen Mah,
It is an honor to have the opportunity to write to you!
I was very touched by Chinese Cinderella. It is a very unique version of the typical Cinderella stories we are all used to. It was a great relief to find out that at the end you were able to succeed and overcome all the cruel treatments of Naing. How did you manage to set your mind to success, and not letting your problems take over you? Did Naing ever apologize for all the horrors she caused in your life??
Well, I am glad that you were generous enough to share with us your life and that now your life is blessed!!!
Dear Adeline Yenmah,
Our class read your book Chinese Cinderella and we all had different opinions of your book. My opinion personally about your book is that I loved it. It was a book well published with plenty of details that brought a picture to the mind. Your book made me feel as if I was there to view everything that happened to you when you were growing up. Main point is that I really enjoyed reading your book and was hard to put down when the bell rang to go to my next class. I have two questions to ask you my first question is how did you feel when both your father and step mother died? My last question is did you ever get another pet after PLT died?
Hi.. My english teacher made read your book. At first i didn’t lik your book but as we got more into the book it became more interesting. In my English class here at Sunnyslope High School we read your “Chinese Cinderella” book. Normally books that we read as a class are extremely boring and I dont pay attention but as soon as we started reading your book, I was drawn to it and I wish we could have been able to bring the book home.
Raymundo Vilches
Sunnyslope Highschool
The same thing with me at first it was boring and then I was like wow this girl knows how to deal with things that are very bad to handle.
chyanna
I just finished your book Chinese Cinderella, and i liked it so much I’m going to find your other books. I do hope you’ve made a full recovery from your past and that you can have a fulfilling future. also, I have some questions. Do you play to keep writing about your child hood? or move on to a more fictional character. and do you still keep in contact with your aunts?
Thank you for your time.
Hey Adeline,
In my English class here at Sunnyslope High School we read your “Chinese Cinderella” book. Normally books that we read as a class are extremely boring and I dont pay attention but as soon as we started reading your book, I was drawn to it and I wish we could have been able to bring the book home. “Chinese Cinderella”, really impacted me because I know children now are still somewhat treated like how you were. I wish there was something someone could do to change what happened to you. One part of your book meant a lot to me because even though it seemed no one loved you, you always kept your head high and hoped for the best even though you never got it untilt te end. I was hoping you would be able to tell me, What made you never give up? and also, If you could go back and change only one thing, what would it be? Thank you for you time,
Tiffany Traver
Sunnyslope High School
Dear Mrs. Mah
I just recently finished your fantastic book, “Chinese Cinderella”, and would like to compliment you by expressing my admiration for your perseverance. The amount of courage and determination to be the best you could was amazing to me. The book was fantastic, although I am sorry for all that you had to go through to get where you are today. But, in the end, it seemed it paid off. You are now a physician and a writer, two amazing accomplishments that you should be very proud of. However, I do have a couple questions. For one, why did you strive for your parent’s acceptance? The way they treated you was unfair and unjust. As for the other question, what was your main reason for striving for excellence? What was it that drove you toward being the best at everything you put your mind to?
Sincerely, Nick Gager
Your book “Chinese Cinderella” is a very interesting book. I enjoyed it as my class read through it. I was interested in how much determination you had for yourself, I also loved that no matter your age you excelled in school,
How did you go through half your life living in such glory?
Also I would like to know how you had all confidence in each problem you overcame.
-Ben Newman
Dear Adeline,
Your book “Chinese Cinderella” has definitely changed my perspective of life. It’s one of the top books that i loved the most. You have realy inspired me and made me realize that i can do anything that i set my mind to. Even though my life can never be compared to yours and i can never realy feel the pain that you went through i can still understand what you feel
through my own experiences. Your a true leader to all of those people that went through some similar experinces like you.Who inspired you to write the book? How did you overcome all the problems?
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
My name is Roberto Del Toro, I am 16 and one of the top students in my class. I have read Chinese Cinderella in my english class a few days ago. Although I dont really get touched personally by short books, this book made my heart dwell in sorrow for you. Our childhoods might have not been the same but it inspired me to read about your ambition and how you do your best no matter what. I grew up from a hard-working family who were neutral in my academic life. I grew up having Attention Deficit Disorder, it was hard for me to to succeed in my classes until my aunt maria came through to tutor me everyday until I recieved straight A’s. But your academic life was your actual life and that really gave me courage to try hard in my tasks.
I have two questions, Do you still love to read on a daily basis?
Are there still people you know who you were classmates with or grew up with?
I really hope you reply and may your life be lived well.
Love, Roberto Del Toro
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
Hi my name is Brandon Douangmala. I have read your book Chinese Cinderella in my English class. It was outstandingly touching hearing your story of your life. I thought it was a fantastic book and how courageous you were to go through with all of that. I can’t even imagine how hard it was. Your novel Chinese Cinderella, has inspired me in millions of ways. I will always remember this book and to never give up trying at anything.
Two questions may i ask, is your career a big success now? and if you have any children?
Sincerely,
Brandon Douangmala
Dear Mrs. Adeline,
I am truly honored to have read Cinnese Cinderela in my english class and after reading your book i wish to read all books that you wrote. Your book made me feel that no matter how much dificulties are in life i am able to get back up no matter how big it is. Being the oldest sibling in my family i somtimes feel that my parents care more about my younger sibling than me but after reading pages from your own life i am able to understand that my life is not that bad and my family cares about me alot,sure my father also forgets the day i was born like you but even after that me and my father share a close bond even though he dosn’t show it very much. I just know that even though my life has been very rough, there are always thorns to go through before reaching the rose. but i know that my faight in myself will lead me to my goal.I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS I hope you are able to answer them.
Question 1: what ever hapen to aunt baba, did you ever contact her again and were you able to see her again?
Question 2:what happened to your sibbling and what about niang asn your dad?
please mail back if you ever see this. you will make me feel like the coolest person if you write back
your number one reader,
Krystal Fernandez
Dear Adeline,
I was touched by your book chinese cinderella. We currently finished your book and you have an incredible story that you told. All those hard times you went through i’m glad you got to share the experience of your childhood, well I know i’m glad you got to share it because chinese cinderella is a very good book that everyone should read to help them with similar problems they go threw and to know about past history like the opium war.
Thanks For Reading My Comment And Hope You Write Back.
Billy Morales
When I read your Book Chinese Cinderella it really inspired me. I talked to my parents and told them about how we were reading your book and how much I enjoyed it knowing what you went through as a children and also those rough times that you went through and actually stood up for yourself. I just loved the fact that you took your time to write such an amazing book. It was a very emotional book, yet intense as well. A question I have for you is what encouraged you to write this book ? Also, do you still think about your life when you were little ? Overall, I am so glad and thankful to you for writing this book ,because it definately grabbed attention from like the first page and it had a good lesson that was to be learned.
Dear Adeline,
I read your Chinese Cinderella book for English class and I am very touched, I went through a lot of bad times as a child also. I’ve always remembered one saying to help me through, if things are as bad as they can be, you can be sure there’ll be a brighter tomorrow. I do have a few questions, what college did you attend in England? And do your friends still have a pact going?
Dear Adeline,
Hey Adeline I was so touched by your book Chinese Cinderella. The book was so moving to many people out in the world. You have showed teenagers and children that there are more then bad people in this world. You show that if you set your mind to one goal you can achive it. You truly are an amazing Role Model! How did you keep control of your life all these years? Also, how has your life changed since you moved away from your family? Do you sometimes think about everyone in the past? Have you ever had a chance to see you Aunt Baba again? Well I’m really glad I had this chance to write you this letter. And i will be reading Falling Leaves very soon.
Dear adeline i just finished reading your book chinese cinderella,i really loved it i wanted to cry because your book reminds me of ME!!!.Well because i feel the same way like if my parents didnt want me,but i now that deep inside them they do,my mom treats me like a maid which made me more sad when i read your book that when you didnt do one little thing you would get wouped which isnt so kool at all.
adeline i felt like crying when your grandfather ye ye passed away n when your grandmother was telling the story were her feet were bouned oh my god i dont now how she handled that but she did which is good or no i dont know well your grandfather seemed like a really nice man n for you to loose him at a really short age n so good because thats when you needed him the most man how i wished i was there with you holding your hand through the up n the downs because you’r a really nice girl an about PLT was even of your father was a really mean guy for him to do that.but at least you got through it right or do you still think of your duckling i still think of my dog that passed away about 2 to 3 years ago it wasnt kool but you to see your duck getting attacked in front of you by your dads dog was horrible man horrible well adeline i have to go hope you answer to my msj i would love to here about you n even see you well by
sincerely,
Ana Garcia
Dear Adeline Yen Mah
We were reading the book in our class together and i don’t really like reading. But after a little bit into the book I actually liked it. I couldn’t really stop reading I was actually reading a book that i liked for once. I feel really bad for what you have gone through and it was amazing how you still tried hard to earn the respect of your parents. I think that you are an insaration to many other people that have either read your book or heard about it.
I was wondering if you have ever seen the girls at the school that you made a promise with each other. That you will always be there for each other. Have you heard anything about how they are doing or anything like that? I am hoping that i get a chance to read your other book because if it is anything like Chinese Cinderella I know that i will enjoy it very much.
Dear Adeline,
Hey Adeline! Your book is so inspirational and I want to thank you for touching all of our hearts. Many kids can relate to your situation and have unfortunatley dealt with your pain. You were such a brave girl and have conquered so many things that I would only dream of. How has your past life affected you today? Also, do you regret not standing up for yourself when you were a child? Thank you so much for your time and I hope you get a chance to respond to this. Chinese Cinderella is by far the best book I have ever read and I will always remember your inspirational story.
Hey Adeline!
I just wanted to tell you that your book Chinese Cinderella was amazing and I can see a lot of parallels in the book to peoples real life. I think that you give so much hope in childerns lives and even adults who have family issues.
I was just curious, but what made you so ambitious to always read and want to learn even though you had no support from your parents?
What would you do when your family didn’t even give you a chance to stay at the home when you were sent away for the second time? Did you ever just want to stand up for yourself?
Dear Ms Adeline Yen Mah
Your book Chinese Cinderella is very interesting. It is also very touching.
I love how you put the book out so that others are aware of how to be successful and follow your dreams. I give you much respect on how you were able to have patients with your father about many things.
I also have a couple of questions to ask you if isn’t any trouble.
How are you now?
And also do you have any other amazing books out?
Thank you for your time and your amazing book.
Sincerely,
Alicia Peraza
I really like Chinese Cinderella! I think it had a really cool story to it! Was it hard to have a lifestyle like that? Did you ever like lose your temper and yell at your parents? I like the way you would just leave everyone alone and not have attitude or anything like that. I know I would’ve.
Sincerely, Reyna Botello!
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
Hi, my name is Heriberto Farias and I read your book in my English class and absolutely loved it. One of my favorite parts is when you walk or try to walk home from school when you didn’t get picked up. A part that I thought was funny was when your brothers pinched you at the table but my favorite part about your book is how you went through all that much stuff and still came out with accomplishment. How are your brothers and sisters? Do you have a put duck? Thanks for your time and I hope you still keep on writing. Thank you.
Hi my name is Karen and I just want to tell you that I really love your book; “CHINESE CINDERELLA.” Your book really touched me in many different ways. It also helped me understand why it you wanted to prove your family that you could do whatever you set your mind too. In my opinion I think that tins of people can relate to what you went through and that it has inspired them to move forward in life and to not let anyone bring them or put them down.
I have two questions for you. The first question I have for you is that how old were you when you decided to publish your book? And my next question is that how did your family respond to your book when it was out in stores?
Dear Mrs. Adeline Yen Mah,
I really loved Chinese Cinderella. There aren’t many books that really touch me, but this one did. What you’ve been through, will no doubt, inspire others to do great things like you did. Your struggle through life and how you overcame it truly is a miracle. Thanks very much for your story.
If it isn’t too much I’d like to ask two questions. How did you pull through? I know you’ve had the support of your Aunt and Ye Ye, but without the love of your parents and siblings, how did you manage? And are you currently working on another book? If so, please reply with its title, for I’d love to read it. Once again, thank you for your story and God bless!
HI Adeline, I just have to say that you really are a strong person. I really enjoyed how you talked about all the hardships that you went through and still have become someone so successful to day. What was going through your mind at the time that you were facing hardships; what got you through them? I also liked how you sort of showed how truly excited/puzzled you were when you received news that you were going somewhere or something good was happening to you. I was wondering, how did you feel when your family treated servants or your chauffer’s badly? Were you upset?
Thanks, Dylan
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
我是您的书籍巨大的风扇.
Ever since I read your novel ‘Chinese Cinderella’ I have been forever intrigued by your brutally rough life, and it truly makes me think about how lucky I have been as a child. Also I hope you continue to write as you are such a truly brilliant writer. After reading your novel though, I have to ask how did you persevere through all those rough times? And what happened to aunt Baba after you left for England?
Dear Adeline,
My English class just finished reading Chinese Cinderella. I was so touched by your book. I can relate to you when you fight for the love from your parents. You’re very strong and powerful, although you were broken down so many times you never gave up and you made it.
I do have two questions for you. My first, which was worse for you, living at home and being mistreated or being alone at the convent schools? My second question is, How would you rather be remembered, as the Chinese Cinderella or as a doctor?
I really hope now that you’re happy and actually enjoy life. You’re an amazing person and I look up to you and how you accomplished your goal. Adeline, you’re my hero.
Yours Truly,
Destiny P.
my class has just finised reading Chinese Cinderella and it was very well writen. while many may think that the story was horrible,in the sense of your families attitude against you; i found that all those obstacles made you a stronger and caring person. through reading this book i evaluated my relationship with my family and instead of drifting away from them, like most teenagers would, i decided to take a different approach. now, because of your book, i thank you.
p.s. have you had any more pets since PLT?
Dear Adeline,
Ihave read your book “Chinese Cinderella” in my english class. Everyone goes through difficult moments, but you are the proof that keep going is the key to be successful in life. I’m glad that you became an excelent writer as you wished some day. i congradulate you for being an strong person and show all the people that what you lived just make you a better person.
i hope you a beutiful future full of love and happiness, because you deserve all the bleessing of god.
finally I what to ask you just some questions, what happened with your bothers? and Do you hated your family for what they did to you?
i will wait for you answers and i hope you the best.
Aurora Bello
Dear Yen Mah,
Im very happy that you wrote Chinese Cinderella =). I just finished it and i really loved it. Im proud of yourself for opening up yourself. I like the way you explained every part of the story. I have two questions i want to ask you.One of them is how you been?, and the other one is What made you decide the topic of the book?.
Dear Adeline,
I recently read Chinese Cinderella, was an interesting book. Chinese Cinderella is one of the best book i read so far. I felt bad after the dog killed PLT. After i read the book it let me with some doubts and a couple of questions.
Question #1: Did you go to England and study?
Question #2: What inspired you to write this book?
I have recently just finished the book Chinese Cinderella and was wondering if you have had any other pets beside PLT?
*Also, are you still in touch with the two other girls that you made the pact with in the boarding school in Sacred Heart?
*Did you ever see your Aunt Baba again?
*Have you forgiven the people that have caused you so much pain while you were young?
*Did you have any children, if so then how many?
*Did you ever go back to college to get your diploma in Creative Writing?
Dr.Yen Mah,
i loved your book very much and I can relate to it too so that helped me understand the book much better than other people. Your book is very well written and it shows most of the hardships you went through. I love your book very much and I thank you for sharing part of your life story with the world. I hope that you have a happy life because you deserve it!
Adeline,
your story is absolutly amazing. It has definatly made me apprecaite my family more with hearing all the horrible things that were done to you and the way you were treated. And how you stuck with it even though you were the only student left at that school. How did you deal with having such a bad chilhood? and why did you continue to be a doctor for 26 years even though you wanted to study literature?
Hello, my class has just finished reading Chinese Cinderella, and I found the book to be very interesting. I can not imagine the struggle you have had in your life; however, I am amazed by how much you worked to over come your obstacles. I would like to know did you get a degree in literature later in your life and I would also like to know if you have gotten in contact with your old friends.
I just finished reading your book and I found it very intreseting. I’m sorry for the trouble and pain you had to go through. I imagine myself in the position that you were put in and I felt horrible. I could not be as brave as you were. I would be afraid of everything.
Your book is very touching and emotional. It must have been hard to write but its also great how you shared your life with so many people.
I wonder though, do you have happiness now that your being recognized as an amazing writer?
Also, how is your family now? what has changed in your family from the past to now, the present?
Sincerely,
Wendy Garcia
Hi I really like how you pulled thought and never gave up. I guess that you had just enough hope. I had a few questions about the book, why didn’t you just run away? Would you ever go back and change your past? What other challenges did you face? Why did you become a doctor and not a creative writer like you wanted to?
Dear Adeline,
I just finished reading your book and I found it very intreseting. I’m sorry for the trouble and pain you had to go through. I imagine myself in the position that you were put in and I felt horrible. I could not be as brave as you were. I would be afraid of everything.
Your book is very touching and emotional. It must have been hard to write but its also great how you shared your life with so many people.
I wonder though, do you have happiness now that your being recognized as an amazing writer?
Also, how is your family now? what has changed in your family from the past to now, the present?
Hi Adeline,
I just finished reading Chinese Cinderella in my english class, i enjoyed reading about your childhood and growing up in a disfunctional family. I am glad that you were able to over come the challenges you faced and have now become a famous writer.
What advice would you give to someone that has a similar childhood as you?
What was the most difficult part in becoming successful?
Dear Mrs. Yen-Mah I am very excited to tell you that i have recently read your book. Your book Chinese Cinderella was very inspiring. I think that it is good that you wrote your story because there are many people out there that have been in your situation. Your story tells them that sooner or later good things will be sure to happen I plan on reading your next book very soon falling leaves looks like it is going to be very good I am excited to read it soon!!
My first question is what inspired you to write your story down and publish it? My second question is do you plan on writing anymore book? If you do i will be very excited to read them all!
Hello, i have just finished reading Chinese Cindella and i just want you to know that it touched me in so many ways. i love how you push through the hard times because it shows how if you work hard, you can accomplish everything.
I have a few questions for you.
1. If you could take it all back, and make it the way you deserved, would you?
2. If you had to be something other than a writer, what would your profession be?
Sincerely,
Bennett
Hey adeline, i just finished reading your book in my English.Your book really inspired me to do what i want to do not what other people want me to do.Just like you did when your father told you to study and be a doctor but you didnt listen and became a writter.Now your writting books that inspired people to do things they think they cant.Reading your book was really worth it.i also have questions for you.
How did you feel when you won the poetry contest?
At what age did you start writting your book?
Our class just got done reading your book Chinese Cinderella and it was a good read. It is cool that you could share your story with the world. Did you ever get back at Niang for being so cruel to you over the years? What ever happened to the pact with your friends at sacred heart?
yes I agree with Jake. Do you still keep in touch with your friends from all the schools you went to?
hello, i just finished reading chinese cinderella it is a wonderfull book and i think your very brave and i respect that, i have a couple of questions, what happened to aunt Baba? what happened to victor? well i really enjoyed the book take care and i am looking foward to an answer..
Dear Adeline,
I have recently read your book as a class and I really enjoyed it. I love how you found the strength to overcome all of your challenges that you faced so that you were able to become as successful as you are today. Once you went away to college did you have meet up with your brothers and sisters after that? Once you became older and more brave did you have confront your mother and father about how they treated you throughout your life?
i really liked the book.
i liked the way you opened youself and told everone your whole life story
Dear Adeline Yen Mah,
Me and my English class have just finished reading your book “Chinese Cinderella.” I thought your book was great and to know that all of this things happened to you made the book more realistic and touching.
I still can’t believe that your parents treated you like that and I think that you have been a very strong person to be able to go through everything they put you through. Also, that you had a lot of courage to write your book and remember those events in your life.
Two questions I have for you is did you ever hate Niang or your father because of the things they did to you? And What inspired you to write “Chinese Cinderella?”
Hello my name is Armani Gates and in my English 3-4 class we have just finish reading your book. This story was very inspirational and touched me in many different ways. I enjoyed the message that this book had. I wonder was it hard to believe in your self that you can succeed. Also the pact you made with the girls at the boarding school do you keep in touch. When you became a doctor did u ever regret not following your dream of studying writing? What are some life lessons that you still keep with you today. Thank you for writing this wonderful story and I’m glad I had the pleasure of reading it.
Dear Mrs. Yen Mah,
I have just finished Chinese Cinderella for a class, and I find your book a true work of art. Knowing that you overcame everything that happened is a push for me to keep going and not give up because the world seems unfair, so, thank you.
I was curious about two things, though. How does it feel to know that you triumphed over the hardships of the life you had, and what advice do you have for anyone in the situation that you were in?
Dear Adeline, I currently just finished your novel, Chinese Cinderella.
It was amazing, it hit my heart on the soft spot.
I think you are an amzing, hard working person.
Also, I think you were a brave when you were growing up.
Did you and Niang ever become neutral with eachother?
How long does it usually take to write a book?
We just finished reading your book, Chinese Cinderella, and I must say it is a very touching novel. I look forward to reading another book of yours.
How long did it take you to put together your life story?
Obviously growing up for you was a struggle, but how did you manage to overcome any disadvantages?
I have read your book Chinese Cinderella and now I am having to read Falling Leaves for my english class. My question is, what is the difference between the two books?
Also, I am very sorry for all that you went through. I hope that today it has made you a stronger woman. It has definitely made you a strong writer.
I teach ninth grade humanities at an urban school in Detroit. My concentration is world history. One of the books I’ve chosen this year is your autobiography, Chinese Cinderella. My students and I loved your book and found it informative, sad, hopeful, and most of all heart rendering. I have asked my students to email you with their thoughts and feelings. I hope you don’t mind. Most if not all of the emails should come from plymouthed.org. The name of our school is Plymouth Educational Center Preparatory High School.
The first time I read your book I got so angry at your father and Niang that I threw the book across the room at the exact moment that my husband walked in. He couldn’t believe how upset I was. I don’t know if I could have survived what you went through and ultimately succeeded in spite of your parents, but certainly not because of them.
Did you ever see Aunt Baba again after you finished school in Oxford? I believe that the love your grandparents and Aunt Baba gave you was of the purest kind, especially your Ye Ye. I hope you are well and know that you have had a profound effect on both my life and those of my fifty students. I hope you enjoy their mail and don’t think it presumptuous of me to have them write you in the first place. I think they feel very protective of you. I do.
Dear Ilene Judith Lee, Thank you. I have held on to your email because I wanted to give you and your students a special gift. Apologies for my delay in getting back to you.
Please read my announcement regarding free Chinese lessons for those who wish to learn Chinese. This is my gift to you.
Adeline
Dear Mrs Mah,
Yesterday, I purchased your book ‘Chinese Cinderella’ in Cape Town by absolute chance and did not stop reading it until I was done, I don’t think I have ever cried so much for someone else’s pain. Your story touched me because many events reminded me of my life which hasn’t even been half as difficult as yours.
Thank you for writing such an exceptional piece of literature, I know it must have been incredibly painful to write and I’m deeply grateful that you did so. Thank you for inspiring me and changing the course of my life. I am now going to find ‘Falling Leaves’.
An eternal fan,
dee
Dr. Mah,
I bought your book “Chinese Cinderalla more than 10 years ago but today it is still one of my favorite books. The book really opened my eyes to how lucky I am.
What happened to your play “Gone with the locusts?” I’m sure many people would love to read it if you still have copies of it somewhere!
I love your book so much sometimes I would cry
Others I would feel like I was 2 again cause that was
when I had really rough times. But no book ever got to me like
yours and that is why I truly thank you
Sincerely
Sara
hi my name is bob and i liked your story chinese cinderella. I know how you feel about PLT because my brother the dip almost killed my pet worm bob jr. thanks for such a great book. i will read all of them now. bye..
from bob
Dear Mrs. Mah,
I was deeply touched by your books i am very sorry about what you had to go through you are an amazing author and woman. when i would read you book before bed i would end up crying my self to sleep. You Mrs. Mah are an inspieration to all. My teacher Mrs. B is a huge fan of yours just like I. you are just so wonderful i wish that one day i would get to meet you. I am so sorry about how your father, niang, lyidia, gregory, edgar, james, franklin,and susan.
god bless you and much love,
m.pocket
ps. I am reading falling leaves now!
Dear Adeline,
My name is Saamyia, and I am a 9th grade student attending a school in Detroit Michigan. I have a wonderful teacher Mrs. Lee and she really likes you. I believe she said that she has read your book like three or four times or maybe even more, but I’m not sure. My whole 9th grade class is currently reading your very touching book and most of us are on chapters 15 and 16, and we love your book. My teacher has been telling all of the school’s 9th graders how much she would love to meet you, whether it is over the phone in person or even on a video chat. I would really love it if some how I could find a way for you to talk to her. I know that she is going through a lot and it would be nice if you guys had a chance to speak with each other. I would be so happy to be able to see her happy because she has spoken with you. I love when my teachers are happy. I know you would just brighten her day. Now about me, I personally never read a lot of books all the way through and enjoy every page, or even finish reading the book. But your book is just amazing, because it is so true and powerful, and the things that you felt in certain points of your life, I find myself feeling as well. I’m just now completing chapter 14 and I can’t wait to read 15. Your book is the only book that I have read thus far where I enjoy reading each and every page. At this point I don’t know how you did it but you were a strong kid, and I hope I can be as strong as you were. There is so much more that I would like to share with you but I don’t want to drown you with my feelings about your family and how things are going on in your book right now. So I’ll end my letter to you right now by telling you that it would really mean the world to me if you could maybe give my teacher a call. I just know that would make her day.!! It would be completely wonderful if you could write me back. And if you guys get a chance to talk… just tell her that saamyia loves her (that’s me).!!
thank you.!!
p.s you were so adorable as a child, and your picture in the back is beautiful.!!
idk if the picture loaded, but that’s me… i look forward to hearing from you .!!
Dear Saamyia, Thank you. We are presently working on a program whereby children and teachers can talk directly to me via Skype during school hours and discuss my books. Method of application will be posted on my website. Keep tuned. Adeline
Hello Dra Yen Mah,
I just read your book Chinese Cinderella from my daughter’s favorite book collections. My daughter Cy who is now a college graduate read your book when she was in high school.
I cant stop my tears as i read your book. I can relate to your stories in my situations you described in the book. I admire your courage and the unconditional love of your Auntie Baba and Ye Ye to you. I know they are at peace wherever they are now for you are able to fulfill what they believe in you.
I am now finding a copy of your other book, I cant wait further not to read it at the soonest.
God bless you more, Dra Adeline.
Sincerely,
Imee Cruz-Maghirang
Hello adeline, my name is brenda and we r both Chinese
i read ur book many yrs ago and i was deep impressed by your real story. i admire very much of your bravery and so your attitude towards life, i like reading as u do but is shame to say i cant do it as often as before
im now doing my final yr in Uni, hoping that I cud read your daughter’s work after handing in my dissertation!
attitude determined life
Thank you very much adeline, u inspired me alot
brenda
I really couldn’t beleieve the pain and struggles you went through. I don’t understand how anyone could have been so cruel! I was deeply upset when your poor duckling died. What a horrible way to go. You must of hated Jackie the Dog! Also how could your brothers have been so horrible by making you drink their pee! How awful! You went through such a lot and I’m glad you have now got an excellent life. Well…is it excellent??? You must have all those terrible memories.
Hello Adeline,
In Chinese Cinderella, how could all of those events have happened? It’s child cruelty and why were just you sent to boarding school in Tianjin
Because Niang did not like me. Of all her children, she liked me the least. Adeline
My name is Myoung and I am a seventh grader at Frontier Elementary school. I am doing a biography project on you. I think that you have touched a lot of people’s life with your story. I know that it takes a bunch of courage to share things about your family especially in the Chinese Cinderella and Falling Leaves. I first read Chinese Cinderella and now reading Falling Leaves. I would love it if we can write to each other again soon. Huge fan of your books.thank you.
Hello mrs.Adeline Yen Mah
Im really happy to be writting to you…you are such a wonderful lady …i have read your books..they really touched me deep…i love them…they encourage me to be thankful for what life has given me…i really want to meet you one day…now im reading the book called chinese cinderella and the secret society….im looking for you to reply!
love you lots yen jun-ling!love Elizete F
Dear Adeline,
My name is Tarni Stiles, I an 13 years old and I live in Australia.
I was assigned to read “Chinese Cinderella” for a small school project.
When I was reading the book i could feel the pain you were going through. All the times you got rejected and all the times you went through so much just for you step mother and father to love you. Whilst reading the book I felt that I had a contact you, your story has touched me in so many ways. I admire you and look up to you and I will never forget reading Chinese Cinderella.
Love Tarni.
Dear Dr Mah,
I have just finished reading “Falling Leaves” and decided to let you know how powerfully it has impacted. I couldn’t put it down! In every word, I could feel your pain, and I am so happy for you that you now have a fulfilling and happy life.
So many thanks,
Mary G in Australia.
Hello DR. Yen Mah my name is Kailee i’m 12 yrs old. I’m writing a book report on one of your books. What you went through is unbelievable. You went through so much pain and had little protection. You inspire me.
I read both Kitchen Chinese and Falling Leaves last week. Both fantastic.
Your family really gave you a rough time. You are a huge success in spite of them.
Dear adeline yen mah
XxX
i recently read Chinese Cinderella and i loved it!!!this was my first auto biograghy i have ever read. my english teacher recommended it to me she said it was a great book and she was right. i told everyone about it. it has really touched me. you are amazing i am looking foward to reading more of your books!! thank you
Nafisa
Dear Mrs.Mah When you received the play writing competition prize how did you feel?Were you scared of nervous?Your story is very interesting.I could not help crying when I was reading the Death of PLT.It was wonderful for you to tell your life story to us.
Dear Adeline Yen Mah
I am reading chinese Cinderella for the second time I find it the most facinating book. I have just started learning chinese it is quite a difficult language and I am not very good at rembering the tones.I have also read The Mystery of the Song Dynasty Painting.I really enjoy looking at the chinese writing.
Dear Courtney, I am proud of you for learning Chinese. It is a difficult language with no correlation between sound and image. However, I know you can do it provided your persevere. Good luck! Adeline
I can’t believe your Chinese Cinderella stories are true. That must have been really sad. Your books were so good,I couldn’t put it down. I had read so much that I thought I had a headache!
Love your books,
Jenny
Dear Adeline or Yen Jun-Ling,
I have read your book because it stood out in the section I was looking through in our school library.
This is the first book to make me cry that had know horrific war scenes in it. I literally bawled my eyes out at the part where PLT or Precious Little Treasure died. The loneliness was too over whelming and I just burst into tears. I hope you know you aren’t alone. I write when things are tough and have been truely inspired by your courage.
Your Aunt Baba sounds like your heroin. I was amused to discover how supportive your Aunt Baba was, when my Baba (meaning grand mother in Russian and Croatian, which is my background)is amazingly supportive no matter what I do or who I am.
I still scowl every time I think of your Niang. To hold a grudge that long against you just for sticking up for your Little Sister is wrong. You did the right thing by asking her to stop.
Your Nai Nai and Ye Ye sound alot like my Baba (grandmother) and Deda (grandfather). Though both are thankfully still alive, my Deda has pushed me to do my best my whole life and My Baba has been a steady pillar of support and love through out my whole life.
Thankyou so much for writing Chinese Cinderella and any other books you have written. You are gifted. God Bless you for having such courage to write about such a painful past.
From a huge fan, Natalya.
Dear Mrs Mah,
i love your books! I love trying for things at school. i am in the recorder group, a libarian and i am in the film crew. i tried out for student council but failed. i like reading as much as you do and i can lpay the piano,violen and recorder. i don’t really like company and would rather spend my time alone and read books all day. i also do Ballet and chhinese.
you are the best.
Dear Mrs Mah,
you are my hero. i love the books that you right, both fiction and non-fiction. mostly i like the novels. the first book i read by you is Chinese Cinderella. since then i have been loaning that book forever. you are the best writer in the world.
Leila
Dear Mrs Yen Mah,
i have read your autobiography, chinese cinderella for about 10 times. it is a great book. i expecially like novels. will you write some more books for the series of Chinese Cinderella? i like the way you put the famous painting into your secound book of Chinese Cinderella.
Leila
what a moving story!!! absolutely amazing loved every bit of it please make more!!
what a moving story!!!
WOW
I love your book it is really good. Did you ever meet Wu Chun-mei again after you went to college? I would have loved to hear the rest of the story because you ended the book at when you went to college. Did you father and step-mother ever learned to treat you fairly? I have lots of question