Chang and the Bamboo Flute — Elizabeth Starr Hill

Chang's creativity brings more than just music to his family

When a flood on the Li River in southern China threatens their houseboat, Chang and his family, including his father's specially trained fishing birds, are lucky to find shelter in a barn belonging to the family of Chang's friend Mei Mei. Chang has brought his bamboo flute with him, but is shy about playing it in front of Mei Mei's family, especially her older brother, who likes to tease Chang about the sounds he makes in place of speech - sounds that only the fishing birds understand. Chang's music is especially important to him, but he wants to keep it private. It is only after the floodwaters recede and the family returns home to the damaged houseboat that Chang will find that the time has come to share his talent with others.

Collaborating again on this companion volume to Bird Boy, a Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner, Elizabeth Starr Hill and Lesley Liu have created another sensitive, appealing book, in which a boy discovers how to play to his strengths rather than keeping them hidden.