Spring Pearl is part of the American Girl series Girls of Many Lands. The story is set in the 1840s in the southern part of China, a port town called Canton. The British had just won the First Opium War where they forced China to open its doors to trade--namely the opium trade. The Chinese did not want this addictive substance, and they did not want to expose their people to any foreign influence. In 1950, the British conducted the Second Opium War to further enforce this open trade with China.How did the setting play a part in this story? Spring Pearl, a 12-year-old girl, was living with her parents in China around the time the second war broke out. Her parents died, and she went to live with a friend of her father's who was considered a "traitor" because of his anti-war feelings. He later went to prison and was tortured because of his suspected anti-war activities. Spring Pearl and her new family watched as the British soldiers, along with their French allies, invaded their city. Their lives changed with the British invasion, but the story celebrates the strength of family, something that can overcome many difficult situations.
While the story itself was not rich in historical details, the section "Then and Now, A Girl's Life--China" at the back of the book was filled with historical facts about China. It discusses China's traditions, including foot-binding, and gives more information on the Opium War with the British. An interesting way to learn a bit about China during the mid 1800s.
