Key Themes

  • Power

    "Three Days to Execution" examines power structures and hierarchy. How is hierarchy maintained? What is the cost of power?

  • Gender

    Wu Zetian was the first and only woman emperor of China. How did her gender affect how she was perceived as a leader?

  • Mortality

    As Lai Junchen faces his imminent death, he reflects on his life, his actions, and their impact. When death inevitably comes for us, what do we think about and why?

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Story

    • Three Days to Execution

    • Prologue

    • Chapter 1

    • Chapter 2

    • Chapter 3

    • Chapter 4

    • Chapter 5

    • Epilogue

    • About the Author

    • References
  • 2

    Related Resources

    • Author Interview

    • View Free Classroom Slides

    • Download Slides [PDF]

Other Titles to Explore

Novelly's Library of Youth-Written Literature