The Iris Blooms

Princeton, 1968. A baby girl was born and named Iris-- after the rainbow goddess, the eye that sees clearly, and the flower of hope. Growing up in Illinois, young Iris loved books, science, and asking big questions. When she learned about the Nanjing Massacre-- a horrific World War II atrocity that had been forgotten-- she made a brave choice: she would give voice to the victims.

Armed with a typewriter and relentless courage, Iris traveled to China, interviewed survivors, and uncovered lost archives. In 1997, at age 29, she published The Rape of Nanking-- the first comprehensive English account of the massacre. Her book became an international bestseller, stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for ten weeks, and changed how the world understood WWII in Asia.

This authorized biography (endorsed by Iris's mother, Professor Ying-Ying Chang) shows young readers how one person-- one voice-- can change history.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: World War II / Pacific TheaterAsian American historyHuman rights and historical justiceJournalism and investigative reportingWomen's history / BiographyAges 10- 12 Includes timeline, glossary, and bibliography
Book 3 of The Lantern Bearers Series
>Written by TAN Fengxia, Hans Christian Andersen Award Juror