Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

Jean was confused about the war raging in China. In the history books, usually wars seemed to involve a good guy and a bad guy. But the war in China featured multiple sides—local warlords, the Communist faction, the Nationalist faction—and it just seemed untidy and confusing.

Friends of the family, Mr. and Mrs. Hu, came to Jean's family to say goodbye and give them a yellow Chinese jar to remember them by. The Hus would be taking care of Lin Nai-Nai since her family didn't want her, and they also agreed to take care of Kurry the cat.

As the days went on, Jean's fears about a delayed trip to America were going away. The family would stay with the Hulls for six days prior to catching a ship out of Shanghai. The Hulls had since divorced...