Thread: Mao's Last Dancer

I read this on my summer break over christmas. Fantastic biographical novel, brilliant insight to China in the mid 20th centaury. Warning, it is a very sad book at times, the poverty Cunxin and his family enjures during his childhood, yet his plight to become the greatest dancer in Madame Mao's adacamy and thus to escape poverty is so inspiring.
My history teacher recommended I read it last year when I was in year 11, because the next year (this year) we're doing the rise of Communism and fall of Nationalism in China. If you're interested in Communism and Mao's era, or in dancing, or just love a great read, then this book is a must.
What did you all think of it?