Girls on the Line

This dual-narrative novel tells the story of two female friends living in China, raised in an orphanage, working in a factory, and longing for freedom. The themes of female oppression, patriarchy, and China’s governmental policies are portrayed through the stories of the women’s struggles around relationships, pregnancy, and the treatment of women and babies. Suitable for senior secondary students, this novel lends itself well to literary circles and would be of particular interest to those interested in learning about diverse cultural norms, social justice issues, or the imbalances of power existing in China. In the classroom, students can participate in journal writing or research projects on the various issues broached by this resource.