Eighth Moon gives much insight into the family life of the Chinese and the life in China at a time when few Americans had any contact with the country.

There are many contrasts between life in a Communist country and life in an democratic country like the United States. The book provides many opportunities to reflect upon these differences.

1. Why is the title of this work taken from a night in the Chinese lunar calendar when the moon is at its fullest and families traditionally come together to celebrate?

2. Sansan tells the reader that her early "happy days blended into one another without much to remember: I played, waited for Papa, ate dinner and fell asleep. Life seemed to go on like this forever, until the soldiers came."

What are the significant differences between what her life was like before and after the revolution.

3. Sansan learns...