On Wednesday, April 30, Ji-Li Jiang, author of Red Scarf Girl and Magical Monkey King - Mischief in Heaven will visit with Lower and Middle School students at Ravenscroft.

Jiang, who survived the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), immigrated to the United States in 1984.

Her first book, Red Scarf Girl, was published in 1997 and recounts her childhood in China under the regime of Chairman Mao and the Communist Party. As a good student and a leader, she saw a bright future for herself in her country and in her party. It was when her father was detained by the government that she had to choose between family and that future. She will speak to 3-5th graders about this book.

In 2001, Liang adapted a Chinese classic folklore Magical Monkey King- Mischief in Heaven, which was serialized in 140 newspapers in the United States, well-received, and later published as a book.

In 2007, the tale was selected for International Literacy Day by World Association of Newspaper in Paris and was serialized in 17 countries worldwide. She will speak to 6-8th grade students about this book.

In 1992, she co-founded East West Exchange to promote cultural and business exchanges between China and western countries. In 2003, she started a nonprofit organization, Cultural Exchange International to continue the cultural exchanges she feels are so important in a global world.

Liang, who resides in the San Francisco area, speaks often at schools and conferences about her books and native China.