“Ash’s book paints a telling portrait of this most restless generation raised in a system that has provided them with unprecedented personal opportunities while denying them political ones . . . A gifted observer.”—Washington Post If China will rule the world one day, who will rule China? There are more than 320 million Chinese between the ages of sixteen and thirty. Children of the one-child policy, born after Mao, with no memory of the Tiananmen Square massacre, they are the first net native generation to come of age in a market-driven, more international China. Their experiences and aspirations were formed in a radically different country from the one that shaped their elders, and their lives will decide the future of their nation and its place in the world. Wish Lanterns offers a deep dive into the life stories of six young Chinese. Dahai is a military child, netizen, and self-styled loser. Xiaoxiao is a hipster from the freezing north. “Fred,” born on the tropical southern island of Hainan, is the daughter of a Party official, while Lucifer is a would-be international rock star. Snail is a country boy and Internet gaming addict, and Mia is a fashionista rebel from far west Xinjiang. Following them as they grow up, go to college, find work and love, all the while navigating the pressure of their parents and society, Wish Lanterns paints a vivid portrait of Chinese youth culture and of a millennial generation whose struggles and dreams reflect the larger issues confronting China today.

“Paints a telling portrait of this most restless generation raised in a system that has provided them with unprecedented personal opportunities while denying them political ones. . . . A gifted observer.”—Washington Post "Informative and often humorous . . . Presents a refreshing range of perspectives about being twenty-something in China."—Forbes “Masterfully crafted.”—Los Angeles Review of Books “A perceptive and quietly profound book.”—Booklist, starred review "Compelling and beautifully written."—Prospect China’s new youth are the generation that will change China. Offspring of the one-child policy, with no memory of Tiananmen, they are destined to transform both their nation and the world. Understanding their motivations, dreams, and attitudes is possibly the most important gauge of China’s future direction as it plays an increasingly important role in shaping this century. China’s New Youth follows the lives of six young Chinese as they navigate their aspirations, discontents, politics, and love lives. Their stories include a netizen nationalist, a country migrant, the daughter of a Party member, a rising pop star, and a feminist entrepreneur. With intimate access to this diverse generation, Alec Ash—a young writer based in China since 2012—gives a vivid, immersive, fascinating account of young China as it comes of age. China's New Youth was originally published in hardcover until the title Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China. The new paperback edition has been updated with a new preface and afterword by the author and a new foreword by Karoline Kan.

"She claimed her spot on the transplanter and laughed and bounced across the fields, an eighty--year-old Big Bird figure with hefty boobs and a potty mouth..." She was everyone's favorite. Get to know Ohio's most spirited firecracker, Leona "Loany" Rice, who splits her time on earth sampling life on both sides of the law. Her niece gives us an inside look at a notorious bookie and numbers racketeer, talk of the town, fireworks distributor, "Granny" to the mentally disabled, farmhand, loving mother--a perpetual "fart in a twister" who never seems to stand still. Even after a family tragedy threatens to destroy her, she finds a way to persevere. Loany lived as we all wish to, with abandon, humor, and just the right amount of sass; and she did it all with the love of her life by her side. Her legacy was to teach all who knew her a lesson: you only live once--and by God, once is enough if you give it all you've got. Margie Hiermer's love of adventure comes from country bike rides to Goldhardt's Grocery as a child to visit Aunt "Loany," a woman more grandmother than grand-aunt. Hiermer brings her passion for engaging with others to her writing and winds down by poking around farm fields in search of treasure.

Acclaimed author Gloria Chao creates real-world magic in this luminous romance about teens who devote themselves to granting other people's wishes but are too afraid to let themselves have their own hearts' desires—each other. Liya and Kai had been best friends since they were little kids, but all that changed when a humiliating incident sparked The Biggest Misunderstanding of All Time—and they haven’t spoken since. Then Liya discovers her family's wishing lantern store is struggling, and she decides to resume a tradition she had with her beloved late grandmother: secretly fulfilling the wishes people write on the lanterns they send into the sky. It may boost sales and save the store, but she can't do it alone . . . and Kai is the only one who cares enough to help. While working on their covert missions, Liya and Kai rekindle their friendship—and maybe more. But when their feuding families and changing futures threaten to tear them apart again, can they find a way to make their own wishes come true?

Enter the enchanting world of Starry Wishes and Moonlit Dreams, an engaging children's book that takes young readers on a magical journey through the wonders of the night. Join our young dream weavers as they explore mystical meadows, dance with fireflies, and embark on moonlit adventures. Each chapter unfolds a new realm of the imagination, weaving together the magic of bedtime and the beauty of the natural world. This whimsical picture book, filled with vibrant illustrations, sparks the imagination of children aged 3 to 8, offering a delightful mix of fantasy and bedtime comfort. From the bright constellations to the soft whispers of the night, "Starry Dreams and Moonlit Dreams" promises to become a cherished part of any bedtime routine. Discover the joy of celestial ballets, cosmic pirouettes and the promise of dreams that linger beneath the moonlit sky. This heartwarming story is perfect for parents and caregivers looking for a magical and imaginative bedtime experience. Let the moonlight guide you into a world where dreams come alive and the night promises endless adventures. Embrace the warmth of "Good Morning Sun" as a joyful end to the night, ushering in a new day full of endless possibilities. With themes of imagination, nature and the beauty of dreams, this book is an ideal addition to children's literature that will be cherished for years to come.