Naughty Boys as Heroes and Redefining the Father–Son Relationship: Examining Mo’s Mischief Series by Hongying Yang

Abstract As one of the most important writers of children’s literature in the 21st century in China, Hongying Yang has not only topped the list of children’s literature and started a “craze” phenomenon but also aroused particular controversy in academia over the issues of the commercialization and literariness of her works. Despite the criticism of the commercial aspects of her work, Yang has taken the lead in writing for primary school children in this century. In this study, by analysing Mo’s Mischief Series, one of Yang’s bestsellers in recent years based on the quality-oriented educational context, I argue that in the transition from exam-oriented education to quality-oriented education, Hongying Yang depicts young characters who are regarded as naughty boys at school in a positive light by revolting against the good boy examples set by traditional children’s literature. The interplay between school and family introduces the possibilities through which education emerges not only as coercive but also as formative, carrying profound implications for children’s socialization and creativity.