About the Author: Adeline Yen Mah

            Adeline Yen Mah grew up in Tianjin, Shanghai and Hong Kong with her family. She has four siblings, and two step siblings. Adeline's mother died soon after her birth, and her father (Joseph Yen) remarried to a woman named Jeanne Virginie Prosperi. Niang, Jeanne's nickname meaning Mother, verbally and physically abused Adeline and he father did not object. When ever Adeline fought back, Niang became very frustrated with her to the extent that she decided to send her step-daughter to boarding school. Since Adeline had also won a writing award  at school at age fourteen and got perfect notes, her father agreed and she was sent to study in England. 
            She then continued onto college and got a medical degree. Adeline Yen Mah now has a medical practice in California, and has published 7 books - including Chinese Cinderella.