Super Short Summary

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine is a young-adult historical novel that follows nine-year-old Ling Chang, who lives in 1970s China during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Her parents are doctors, making them targets of persecution. Ling’s family’s survival is threatened as they endure harassment from Comrade Li, sneaking American radio and letters while facing bullying at school. When hostile neighbors accuse them of being bourgeois sympathizers, Ling's father is demoted to janitor, and a series of events leads to his arrest. Ling’s resilience is tested as she struggles to keep her family together amidst the chaotic regime.