Rao Xueman, born in 1972, is a freelancer. After graduating from a university in Zigong, Sichuan Province in 1994, she became an editor at Kids Literature, a youth literature magazine in Jiangsu Province. Now Rao is a host at Zhenjiang Radio in Jiangsu Province and a member of "colorful cloth,"a youth literature club.

Rao started writing when she was only 14. So far, she has published dozens of articles, some of which were named "best story" by Kids Literature, and more than 50 books, including well-known works such as Golden Castle of Elfin (Xiaoyao De Jinse Chengbo), Skirt of School Uniform (Xiaofu De Qunbai), Left Ear (Zuo Er) and Sandglass (Sha Lou). Her books are not only very popular in China, but also very hot overseas. Sky Is Blue Everyday (Tiantian Tian Lan) enjoyed strong sales in Japan.

Known as a "master of language," Rao creates her works with gorgeous language and touching stories.

Now Rao, together with some other writers, has devoted herself to a series of works including "youth love," "youth cure" and "youth pain," which talk about the bitterness of growing up. She said that growing pains are a part of life. "We can't make them go away by pretending they are not there," she said. "It is better to face them head on."

(Translated by LIU FANGFEI)