The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

I have never heard of this author before – and having now read The Kite Rider I find she has authored at least 100 other books!  Clearly I need to find another one of hers to read.

The book is aimed at young adults but is just fine as an adult read.  The protagonist is a young Chinese boy at the time when Kublai Khan had conquered Cathay (13^th century, I think).

The things that happen to him are amazing but what is most striking is the way he accepts his lot to be an obedient boy.  It's not until the very end when he stands up for himself – finally!