After his father dies and his family is thrown into poverty, Haoyou is offered a position as a kite rider by the Great Miao, yet despite the opportunity he is given, Haoyou's family wonders if this is the best thing for him as they fear that the Great Miao may be planning to use him in some dangerous plot. Reprint.

- Kites; Fiction.
- Family; Fiction.
- Mongols; Fiction.

After his beloved father dies, 12 year old Gou Haoyou must figure out how to support his family and how to save his mother from marrying Di Chou, the man who engineered his father's death. In the process, he discovers the thrill of being a kite rider - helping the ships' captain "test the wind." Miao Jie who witnessed Haoyou's first venture as a kite rider offers him an apprenticeship with the Jade Circus, envisioning an act that no other circus can match. Haoyou must decide whether this opportunity will help him solve the Gou family's problems or whether it is too dangerous to consider.

The Kite Rider takes place in 13th century China, just after it has been conquered by the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan. It is both a tale of adventure and a work of historical fiction. Twelve year old Haoyou and his family live in great poverty in the seaport of Dagu where Haoyou's father is a sailor. Their personal struggles take place against the backdrop of the Mongol invasion and the strictures and expectations of traditional Chinese culture. Haoyou knows that his duty is to his family, but the way to fulfill his duty is not so clear. Fortunately his distant relative, Mipeng, is there to provide support and (unconventional) wisdom. Together Haoyou the kite rider and Mipeng the medium become one of the star acts of the Jade Circus. As they set off with the Jade Circus, there are many uncertainties. Among them are questions such as what is the real identity of Miao Jie, the circus master? Why does he want to perform for Kublai Khan? While Haoyou ponders these questions, he must also decide whether it is possible or practical for him to help his widowed mother and little sister while travelling and performing with the circus. Geraldine McCaughrean weaves an exciting tale of hope, betrayal, fortitude, manipulation, weakness, and unexpected kindness.

The third person narrator tells the story in a way that requires that the reader, like Haoyou, to judge peoples' intentions by their public words and actions, rather than by having access to their thoughts or private actions. This point of view is particularly effective as the story of Haoyou unfolds because the reader sees the story from a vantage point very close - but not identical - to Haoyou's. The reader can sometimes anticipate Haoyou's misjudgements and the reasons for them; yet his decisions are understandable in light of the way he reads the situations.

Haoyou struggles with the concept of obedience. What sort of obedience is required? To whom must he be obedient: his uncle? the master of the circus? Kublai Khan? his mother? To what ideals must he be obedient? What would his father advise him to do?

How does an uneducated, powerless boy defeat the bullies circling round his family, threatening to destroy them? What does he learn from his kind, wise cousin, Meping? How will he use that knowledge?

Geraldine McCaughrean is the Featured Author for the week of July 29, 2007. To get to this essay (and all other Featured Author essays), go to the home page and click on Featured Author.