Red Skies (The Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters) (31 page)
Read Red Skies (The Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters) Online
Authors: Kay Bratt
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Glossary
Aiya (pronounced I-yah) | Expresses surprise or other sudden emotion |
Bai jiu (Bye jee-oh) | Chinese liquor |
Bang wo (Bong whoa) | Help me |
Baozi (Boww-zuh) | Steamed buns, usually with filling |
Bu ku le (Boo koo luh) | Don’t cry |
Bushi (Boo-sher) | No/not |
Chi le ma? (Chrr luh ma?) | Have you eaten? |
Chengguan (Chung-gwon) | Local Chinese urban-management officers |
Da bizi (Da bee-zuh) | Big nose |
Deng yi xia (Dung ee sha) | Wait a minute |
Dui (Dway) | Correct |
Dui bu qi (Dway boo chee) | An apology |
Gei wo qian (gay whoa chee an) | Give me money |
Guo lai (Gwoh lie) | Come here |
Hao le (How luh) | Okay |
Hukou (Who-ko) | Chinese identification |
Hutong (Who-tong) | Lane or residential area (neighborhood) |
Ji | Dumplings |
Jie jie (Jay jay) | Big sister |
Laoban (Loww-bon) | Boss |
Laoren (Loww-run) | Form of title used for senior citizen |
Ni hao (Knee how) | Hello |
Ni shuo shenme (knee shun muh) | What did you say? |
Nuer (New-are) | Daughter |
Peng you (pung yoh) | Friend |
Pingguo zi (Ping-gwoh zzz) | Apple seed |
Shenme (Shun muh) | What |
Shi de (Sher-duh) | Yes |
Ta bing le (Ta bing luh) | He/she is sick |
Ting le (Ting luh) | Stop |
Tudou (Two dough) | Potatoes |
Waiguorens (Why gwoh runs) | Foreigners |
Wo gei ta qian (Whoa gay ta chee an) | I gave her/him money |
Xiao (Sh-oww) | Title for a young girl or woman |
Xiao liwu (Sh-oww lee woo) | Small gift |
Xie xie (shay-shay) | Thank you |
Youtiao (Yo-tee-oww) | Deep fried dough sticks |
Zaijian (Zie-jee-ann) | Goodbye |
Zao, peng you (Zow pung yoh) | Morning, friend |
Z | Good morning |
Zaofan (Zow-fon) | Breakfast |
Zuo xia (Zwoh sha) | Sit down |
Zhi dao (Jer dow) | Know |
Author’s Note
Red Skies
was inspired by an online article that made the news around the world when three young boys were found suffocated in a trash bin in China. Tragically, they were poisoned to death from the coal they burned in the enclosed bin, in their attempt to stay warm. In my travels to several countries across Southeast Asia, I saw many a child holding out a cup, pulling on my clothes, or trying to sell me a simple flower for a coin. The anguished decision of whether to give or not to give always haunted me as I walked away, and many of those faces continue to linger in my mind. In 2012, Dale Rutstein of UNICEF China stated that up to 1.5 million children were thought to be fending for themselves across the country, but exact numbers are impossible to record. Why the many children are forced to live on the streets is contradicted regularly, but we know that some of them are abducted from their families, some are left behind by parents seeking work, and others are simply abandoned. Regardless of how they come to be street children in China, or Thailand, or even the United States of America—the plight of street children is a global issue and only getting bigger each moment of the day. If you’d like to help, find the time to research a reputable organization and join their ranks. There are now
volunteer vacations
where you can give a week or two of your time, but if you can’t volunteer in person, donations and even helping to raise awareness is an important part of making a difference. It is my hope that the story of
Red Skies
will educate some who have never dreamed about such a problem that affects the innocent—the children who like all of us, deserve a future. Readers, if you enjoyed this book, please consider posting a review on Amazon and/or GoodReads to help
Red Skies
gain exposure.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Kate Danley, Karen McQuestion, and G.M. Barlean, my team of author friends who generously offer critique, advice, and support while I am trudging through a story to find my voice. Thank you, Caroline Lynch for your eagle eyes that gave me that final polish. Much appreciation to journalist Kit Gillet for his in-depth report on the underground tunnels of Beijing, found on the blog of Jonah M. Kessel, a cross-platform, freelance visual media specialist based in Beijing, China. Your descriptive words and astonishing photos helped me to create the scene when Mari and Max ventured into the historical underground tunnels of Beijing. To my readers, including my Facebook and Twitter followers, with your ongoing support you have helped me to reach a long held dream of becoming a successful author. Many of you have shared your China memories with me—allowing me to implement them into my stories to bring a level of emotion that could only be gained through real life experiences. I also want to say thank you for posting such favorable reviews for my work on Amazon and GoodReads. Please know that all you do to help me in this adventure that is my life, is very much appreciated, now and forever. Lastly, to my husband, Ben, what more can I say other than the support you’ve given me from day one is the reason that I am now writing the acknowledgements to my eleventh book. I love writing—we all know that—but I love you more, m’love.
