Nine-year-old Xiomara Hui has a nasty surprise waiting for her when she enters Primary 5. After losing her parents two years ago, she has settled into a routine- but that's about to change.
Chinese was always her worst subject. Her teacher for the year, Miss Ho, offers her private lessons, and Xiomara agrees, in hopes of improving her grades.
But the lessons aren't what she has hoped for- they are filled with homework, exercises and reading. She realises that, although Miss Ho's intentions are good, they are going the wrong way.
Sinking deeper and deeper into herself, she starts losing contact with the outside world. To make matters worse, she is moved from her beloved home to an orphanage.
What will happen to Xiomara next? Read to find out!