Like Spilled Water

Summary

Na has grown up in the shadow of her younger brother, Bao-bao, herparents’ cherished son. When they were younger, Na’s parents went towork in the city, bringing Bao-bao along and devoting all their savings tohis education, while Na was left behind in the countryside.But when Bao-bao dies suddenly, Na realizes how little she knew him. Didhe really end his life because of a low score on China’s all-important collegeentrance exam? Her parents can’t bear to talk about him, so Na investigateson her own. She learns that Bao-bao had many secrets—and that his deathmay not be what it seems. She also learns that her parents have seriousmoney problems, and as their only remaining child, she’s expected to quitschool and go to work to help support them.As more secrets come to light, Na must decide not only what she owes to herbrother’s memory, but what she owes to herself.