Defying China
A Memoir
Penguin Young Readers Group · Print & ebook · March 10, 2026
The incredible true story of a teen who became an activist for the Tibetan independence movement, for readers of Red Scarf Girl and Farewell to Manzanar.
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- Who it’s for
- Tsultrim Dolma recounts her activism, detention, surveillance, and escape from Tibet to the United States.
- Themes
- Tibetan independence activism, Coming of age under occupation, Courage to speak up
- Genres
- Activist Biographies, Civil & Human Rights for Teens, Immigration for Teens
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For younger readers: Red Scarf Girl
For older readers: The Girl Who Smiled Beads, My Journey to Lhasa
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Start with this bookAbout this book
The incredible true story of a teen who became an activist for the Tibetan independence movement, for readers of Red Scarf Girl and Farewell to Manzanar. Tsultrim Dolma, born in a tiny village in the stunning mountains of eastern Tibet, always knew there had to be more than the life expected of her: More than no education, because her family was poor. More than being married off at a young age, because she was a girl.
Continue reading
More than barely getting by under oppressive Chinese occupation, because she was Tibetan. When she was sixteen, Tsultrim found more, joining protests for the Tibetan independence movement, the call for her beloved country’s liberation from the People’s Republic of China. Shortly after, she was arrested and sent to Gutsa Detention Center, notorious for its brutal torture of political prisoners like Tsultrim. This young adult memoir follows Tsultrim’s courageous coming of age through her time at Gutsa, being heavily surveilled by the government after her release, and, ultimately, her escape to the U.S. It also underscores the bravery it takes to speak up, and the power to be found in sharing one’s story.
Tibetan Independence
Tsultrim Dolma recounts her activism, detention, surveillance, and escape from Tibet to the United States.
Come here for
- Tsultrim Dolma’s path from protest to arrest and detention
- Her surveillance after release and eventual escape to the U.S.
Expect
- A memoir of coming of age under Chinese occupation
- A personal account of speaking up for Tibetan independence
Where it sits
| Activist Biographies | 56% |
|---|---|
| Civil & Human Rights for Teens | 33% |
| Immigration for Teens | 33% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Activist Biographies
- Asia for Teens
- Civil & Human Rights for Teens
- Authors
- Tsultrim Dolma, Rebecca Wei Hsieh
- Publisher
- Penguin Young Readers Group
- Published
- March 10, 2026
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Tibetan independence activism · Coming of age under occupation · Courage to speak up
- Reading lane
- Activist Biographies