Forbidden City

By William Bell

Seventeen-year-old Alex Jackson comes home from school to find that his father, a CBC news cameraman, wants to take him to China's capital, Beijing.  Once there, Alex finds himself on his own in Tian An Men Square as desperate students fight the Chinese army for their freedom.  Separated from his father and carrying illegal videotapes, Alex must trust the students to help him escape.

Closely based on eyewitness accounts of the massacre in Beijing, Forbidden City is a powerful and frightening story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 15, 2010
• ISBN: 9780385674126

Reviews for Forbidden City

[carlos40_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a teenager named Alex is going with his father on a journey to China,Beijing. When they get there they go everywhere to see China. Alex makes friends and go around Beijing and see tombs of emperors. After weeks pass they front them self in war. They go around and see the army of china to secure the Beijing. A lot of people died when they were there. Someday Alex went with his friend to the army going around . When his father woke up and saw that Alex wasn't there he went outside and to see if he was there. But he wasn't there. So he went to put on his clothes and went into the city of China. Alex and his friend were lost and under the hands of the army. The army was telling the people of Beijing. Then after days passed Alex went somewhere and they find them self with his father. This book is great. The things that i liked about was that it shows how to not go outside when there is a war. What i didn't like was nothing. Everything in this book is fabulous book. I recommend the children and adults to read this book if you to read adventure or the person who just wants to read for fun.

[newskepticx · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For a book that is intended for someone younger than me I didn't expect it to be so raw and hard hitting. My younger brother's grade nine class is reading it and he liked it so much I had to check it out. It is a serious book and inspired a real political conversation out of a 14 year old boy who is not a huge fan of books or very political aware.

[vikko2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A truly amazing story, suited for all ages from young adult to adults. This story tells the reader about a Canadian child who is the son of a somewhat famous reporter, who are both soon headed to Beijing. They are met by unbelievable events, and danger as the government becomes unstable.This book holds a lot of meaning, and is completely fabulous in its writing. It has made me understand quite a bit more about war, and what it can do to a city, families, and everyone around. William Bell packs many suspenseful moments, strong tear-jerking, and heartbreaking moments within this amazing historic novel.

[soccerplayer7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazing book! I recommend it to all ages. It is suspensful, and keeps you on you toes.

[cvosshans · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

William Bell has done it again with this powerful novel, Forbidden City. The story of the protestors and the military rule come alive as Alex and his dad work to document the events of the Tian An Men Square massacre in 1989. The sharp details of the story, engaging characters and suspensful action put this novel at its best advantage - you almost forget it is a work of fiction. Bell packs a lot into his 274 page novel - it was an easy read but could have easily been longer and equally enjoyable.

[niecierpek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is about the Tian An Men Square massacre in Beijing in June 1989. Alex, a 17-year old Canadian finds himself there with his father, a reporter for the CBC. The book offers a day-by-day account of what happened, information on Chinese history, culture and language, a basic course on communism, and all that in a fast paced thriller form. Excellent.

[trippy_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A first rate youth novel...I use it for a Grade 11 novel study.