This book was AMAZING. I have so many good things to mention about this book!

The book tells the story of Tien Fu Wu, a little girl who was sold into slavery by her father and brought from China to San Francisco. When she arrives in San Francisco, life as a servant is hard, and she gets punished a lot. Luckily she is rescued by the women of the mission home, where she lives with a lot of other girls rescued from similar fates. Slowly, Tien Fu Wu begins to trust the other girls and women leading the mission home. The story also tells you about other rescues performed by the women of the mission home and the daily life of the girls in the mission home.

I found it really impressive that such a heavy story as the one told in “The Paper Daughters of Chinatown” could be adapted into a children's book. The book gripped me from the first page, and I immediately fell in love with the book's characters. Also, the character development from not only Tien Fu but also Ms. Cameron over the span of the novel was great. You really feel like they both grew a lot since their first page. Additionally, the details with which the story was told were really descriptive, and I could see myself walking along the streets of San Francisco, which I visited recently. Another aspect of the book I really liked was that the story was based on real historical events, which unfortunately are still relevant to this day.

There were only a few moments in the story where I was a bit confused or which I disliked, like the incident where one of the girls gets arrested (is this typical for the USA at this point in time or is it just chaotic?), or the fact that the newly appointed director was racist (why would anyone like that be appointed for such a job?). In both situations, it felt like the system failed so hard that I was annoyed (which was probably what the author was aiming for).

Overall, I would definitely recommend anyone to read this very accessible work of historical fiction based on a true story set in San Francisco. But be warned, you will start to care for the Chinese girls from page 1 and that feeling won’t go away! :)

And lastly, I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

" Some of the girls are kidnapped and their families have no idea that their daughters are alive. The girls take on new names in America, so they become paper daughters without a home. Without care of love. "

This version of The Paper Daughters of Chinatown is adapted novel from same title but for young adult readers. The story following a young girl name Tien Fu Wu whom sold into slavery by her own father since childhood. She was a smart and fierce girl. My heart so broken saw her cruel journey break her spirit slowly. But her story also give us big hope when she meet her rescuer Miss Cameron and help her to save another girls from same path.

Her story was happened at 130 years ago, the book started with question why we should care now? Because human trafficking still become big issue right now and read this book will awaken awareness in the world expecially between young readers. This book really amazing and perfect for reader who love historical story based on true event.

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publisher for provided me my copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

The historical fiction novel The Paper Daughters of Chinatown (which has been adapted for young readers) by Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill (Shadow Mountain, April 2023) is based on the lives of two women, Donaldina Cameron and the young Tien Fu Wu. Dolly was a young charismatic woman hoping to help the unfortunate in turn-of-the century San Francisco, and Tien Fu Wu was a young Chinese girl who had been sold into slavery and sent to America. With Dolly’s determination to save the Chinese “paper daughters” in slavery, she and Tien Fu became friends who worked together to rescue and educate the girls in Chinatown.


I had heard of “paper daughters” before, and I learned more from this book. Due to the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882), it was not easy for Chinese people to immigrate to the USA, unless they had family already located here. To get around this, people would become “paper daughters” to another person: that is, a child only on paper. Unfortunately, as The Paper Daughters of Chinatown so sadly illustrates, so many young women thus arriving in America were put to work as mui tsai, or household servants. As the discerning adult can imagine, this likewise includes many young women sold into prostitution.

The book alternates between the point of view of Tien Fu Wu (who had been sold to pay her father’s gambling debts at age six) and that of Dolly Cameron, who came to the Christian charity home in Chinatown in 1894, innocently hoping to help the young girls. Although the book does illustrate Tien Fu’s childhood, the majority of the book focuses on the developing bond between the determined Miss Cameron and the bitter and hesitant ten-year-old Tien Fu.

After I read this book, I was touched to read that these two women truly worked together throughout their lives as true friends, and Tien Fu was even buried next to Miss Cameron. In the novel, I liked seeing Tien Fu’s transformation as she learned to trust, find her own worth, and love those around her who likewise needed help healing. Also, the story subtly emphasizes the role of Christianity in the charity work as well as a part of the children’s eventual transformation into capable members of society.

If I’d change anything, I’d simply like a little bit more, especially as an “additional information” note to the book. In the afterword, we do learn that we did not know Tien Fu’s original name, since she was so young when she left China. I also wanted to know which of the difficult “adventures” that Miss Cameron faced were true, and if Tien Fu’s first friend as mui tsai in China likewise was based on a real person. The coincidence of these two meeting up in San Francisco 10 years after their first meeting felt a bit too convenient. That said, it was revealing to see that even this supposedly “privileged” slave girl, who was given an education and special care as a child, was only educated and brought up to likewise become an abused teen (prostitute) in America.

The middle grade novel I read rarely uses the word prostitution, mentions opium abuse only in passing, and tones down the details of the physical abuse the children and young women had received, thus making this book a suitable book for older middle grade and teen readers. I imagine that the original adult version of this book is heartbreaking in its further detail. The theme is dark and difficult. But human trafficking is still an issue. While it is a disturbing issue, this historical account of the issue in the 1890s Chinatown in San Francisco is an important look into just one of the many underbellies of American history and even today.

I received a review copy of this book for consideration.

I loved the original version of this book so was very curious to see what the young-adult version would be like. Naturally, it didn’t have the depth of emotion and details as the adult version, but was still incredibly powerful and an important story. Both harrowing, but filled with hope, it is a book i will continue to recommend to friends and family, and now with a version to suggest to younger audiences!

Adapted from an adult novel that deals with difficult topics like: trafficking, forced prostitution, abuse, racism.
This was beautifully done for YA readers on an important time in history and a topic many have not heard of.

Based on the true story of two friends who unite to help rescue immigrant women in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890’s.

Firstly, I’d like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader’s copy of the book.

Now that that’s done, let’s proceed to the praise and adoration I have for this book.

The book talks about an issue prevalent in both past and present society, one which needs to be talked about more. The author picks apart the problematic of human slavery and trafficking of Chinese girls overseas in an understandable way for both older and younger readers. While based on reality, the book possesses a sense of storytelling which can be hard to find. The story lines contained in the book are told in a realistic, interesting but mostly captivating way which indulges in the reader’s curiosity towards the truth and hard facts regarding this subject.

The characters’ personalities, opinions, quirks and backgrounds are presented in a very relatable way despite them being rooted in heartbreak and sadness. They are multifaceted and are proof of the fact that a coin is always two-sided and a book should not be judged by its cover. We can observe significant character development in more than one of the individuals, evoking a sense of hopefulness.

The plot progresses at a medium or slightly rapid pace which is quite convenient as some readers might be prone to leave off reading for a bit when it comes to tragic subjects such as this one. The pacing helps in keeping the reader’s attention and the pages are constantly getting flipped further and further (at least in my case).

Overall, the author managed to write a story based in heartbreaking events and issues needed to be discussed more and made it accessible and adequate to young readers. They show a mastery of adaptation to a younger audience, especially with the themes present. Therefore, I would like to commend the author for a job marvelously done.

This is a beautiful story of an ugly history. It was hard to read about and gave me all the emotions, I cried many times.

The paper daughters of Chinatown was an inspirational story with two historical figureheads - a woman, Dolly, who set aside her life to save the trafficked Chinese girls as they come across into America and run the mission house they stay in with a stoic kindness, and a stubborn and strong willed fierce, little Chinese girl, Tien Fu Wu.

And although I haven’t read the source material it’s filled with emotion and information that isn’t too heavy for school kids to use to learn about that time period, that terrible part of history.

Fantastically adapted middle grade suited version of Moore’s original 2020 novel. This is perfect for a classroom curriculum with guided questions and a wonderful list of additional reading/sources at the end of the novel.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m so glad the author wrote a childrens version of this book. I wanted my girls to read the story without all of the adult content. The author did a great job making it appropriate for young children.
I obviously preferred the adult version for myself, but this was just right for my 5th grader.
After reading it my daughter and I were able to discuss the book and talk about how horribly those women were treated.

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown was a well written and powerful story. I never read the adult version, but enjoyed this version adapted for younger audiences.
While the content is heavy, it was tempered well for younger audiences. The saying that history repeats itself is all too true and stories that remind us of this are important to keep these things from continuing. It is a story of overcoming trauma and is a good message for today.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to reading this book because recently my 5th grade students read about the Paper Sons ans Daughters of San Francisco. Many of my students also have immigration stories of their own. I read this book in hopes of sharing it with them, but the maturity of the content is definitely for 8th-10th grade.

As a teacher, I'm not sure I would use this whole book in my class because it did drag for half the book. I could see myself using excerpts to help students understand the experience. I believe parts of this book could be really useful in some classes, but I wouldn't say it's a book I enjoyed reading for fun.

I have absolutely loved this story! It is a beautiful edit of a quite difficult story for children. The way this is written is suitable for kids and also very moving and still also educational for childres as they learn what happened. I am very curious to read the adult version of this now!
I would highly recommend this!

Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC!!

Born to a once-wealthy family that has fallen on hard times due to her father's gambling addiction, Tai Choi is sold to traffickers under the guise of being sent to live with her grandparents. After being forced to change her name to Tien Fu Wu under the threat of punishment, Tien is forced to work long hours in a brothel before being sold as a live-in nanny and general caregiver to the son of an abusive woman. However, she is saved by the Mission Home For Girls in San Franciso. While there, she learns English, sewing, and cooking with the other girls, while also learning how to care for the girls and women rescued from the tong, or Chinese gangs. This novel tells the tale of Tien Fu Wu and Ms. Cameron as they mature in their roles and help the Chinese and Japanese girls that are sold into servitude.

At the time of my request, I didn't know that this was an adaptation of a longer novel that was originally for mature readers due to the nature of its contents (trafficking, abuse, slavery, racism, and prostitution) and edited to be available for younger readers. That being said, at times I did feel that the pacing was a bit off in the way that things were handled, but then again, this book was edited for younger readers, so a lot of the more intense bits that fleshed out the story were removed or condensed, so I can't really be annoyed by that. However, the story is a very riveting and at times, heart-wrenching story, but it is one of endurance and the compassion of the human soul. I fell in love with Tai Choi/Tien Fu Wu because, despite all of her hardships and the savagery that she endured from people, she still retained her determined and passionate nature, which I felt helped her in her calling. For someone who was sent thousands of miles from her home and whose history tells us that she never ended up seeing her family again, she remains stalwart and resilient, which embodies the spirit of the women who endured the trips from China to the United States and made this country work for them.

I would definitely recommend this book for middle-grade readers as it seems to be on par with what they should be reading and learning about at their age, while not dumping them into some of the deeper cruelties of the world.

“Despite many challenges, Dolly and Tien Fu forge a powerful friendship as they mentor and help those in the mission home and work to win the freedom of thousands of immigrant women and girls.”

The impact this book has given me? Brave mc is always been my favorite character in every book and this one is one of it! Also the content or theme in this book is so heavy like it’s unimaginable to put into this perrfect book! The author really puts so much in it and it was bery much explain how good this book is. EXCELLENT n brilliant!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

4/5 stars! I really appreciate that the authors wanted to find a way to make a difficult topic more palatable and accessible to young minds. Learning about the realities of the slave bi-continental slave trade was hard to swallow, but the authors did a good job of making it engaging and leaving room for hope. Having the main POV be such a young character was also a great choice and it kept me rooting for her throughout.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

This is a adaptation targeted for a younger audience.It is based on a true story. Tai Choi thought she was boarding a ship to visit her grandmother, but instead is sold into slavery to pay her father’s debts. This was 130 years ago, but tragically human trafficking still appears everywhere in the world today. I appreciate the research that went into in the story, but I just thought the ending was a little disjointed and wish it focused more on Tai Choi and the other girls, instead of the rescuers. I thought the adaptation on these heavy topics targeted for a younger audience was well done.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for a honest review.

“The Paper Daughters of Chinatown” is based on a true story. Tai Choi thought she was boarding a ship to visit her grandmother and found out that she had been sold to pay her father’s gambling debts. She was being shipped to San Francisco to a place the Chinese called Gold Mountain along with several other girls. These young girls had their names changed when they arrived in San Francisco. Tai Choi had her name changed to Tien Fu Wu, she was not happy about this at all, how would her family ever find her? At six years old she is determined to escape and return to China on the next boat. The highbinder, Xiu Gan Lai, never lets Tai Choi out of her sight. Tien Fu Wu is sold several times. She is sold to an abusive shop owner. Two women came to the shop and noticed the marks of abuse on Tien Fu Wu’s face and arms. They return later with Officer Cook. Tien Fu Wu is scared to go with them so Officer Cook carries Tien Fu Wu out of the shop to the Mission home. Life for Tien at the Mission Home is not easy, she has a lot of emotions to work through. Miss Cameron never gave up on Tien even though Tien did not make things easy for her. Tien would help take care of other young girls who were rescued.

I appreciate the research that went into the writing of this story. Reader Questions and Answers, and the Selected Bibliography and Recommended Reading gives you other places to read about how the Young Chinese girls and women were forced into these horrible conditions and how the Mission Home helped thousands to a better life.

I was given an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.

Tai Choi leaves her home at six years old thinking that she was taking an exciting trip to visit her grandma. However, this was only a made up story to cover up the fact that her father sold her to pay for his gambling debts. Tai Choi is exchanged and sold by different owners, eventually arriving in San Francisco as Tien Fu Wu.

Dolly arrives at the mission home from her ranch in San Gabriel Valley to teach the girls living there how to sew. Despite the danger from the gangs, she continues to go out into Chinatown to rescue the enslaved girls and protect them with the strong, unwavering love of a mother.

Tien Fu and Dolly have vast differences in their experiences, but they share the same determination to help the girls. I am captivated by their bravery and strength, to be driven by kindness despite knowing the perils is something that I admire so much. I am glad that this novel has been adapted for young readers, so that they too can learn this story and history and feel the strength of these women emanating from the pages.

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I haven't read the original source material, but i think this adaptation was arranged beautifully. The characters and the pacing are spot on, and the story of Tien Fu is so inspirational for everyone. I think this book is a great starting point for young readers to learn about slavery and those kind of sensible topics.
I would recommend The Paper daughters of Chinatown to anyone who's interested in a both deep and fast paced historical fiction book!

I love reading about women and girls helping one another, so one of the things I liked the most was the mother and daughter relationship between the two protagonists.
I admire the bravery these woman have, because i know If it was me I would have stayed insidie the home.