Always with You[ ALWAYS WITH YOU ] by Zee, Ruth Vander (Author) Jan-14-08[ Hardcover ]

by Ruth Vander Zee

After her mother is killed by an explosion that also destroys her Vietnam village, four-year-old Kim is alone and afraid. Eventually, she is rescued by soldiers who bring her to an orphanage. Surrounded by the love of the couple who run the orphanage, the companionship of the children who live there, and her mother's promise, "I will always be with you," Kim finds the strength and courage to survive.This picture book for older readers, based on a true story from the Vietnam War, portrays the hope that exists in even the most desperate situations. Poignant illustrations capture the perseverance of the human spirit and the power of kindness.

Genres: Picture Books, Cultural, Historical Fiction, War, Family, Asia, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 14, 2008

Reviews

[Jake Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book. The illustrations by Ronald Himler are amazing and very evocative. My daughter enjoyed the story and I think it was a good springboard or a lesson about the ravages of war. The only issue I had with this story was the not so subtle characterization as saviours in Vietnam and the Communist troops as aggressors. I understand the need to teach our children about war but I think I would prefer doing it without the political propaganda. With that said it was a nicely structured book and I would read it to another child if only for the illustrations and the issues it raises to discuss.

[Kennedy Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an amazing book that had a powerful purpose behind it. One of the main aspects that I connected with most was the author Ruth Vander Zee wrote this story about a real-life event. As a reader this allowed me to connect with the characters in the story and fully understand the purpose of this book. This book focuses on a young girl who lived in Vietnam around the time of the Vietnam War she had lost her home, her vision, and her mother. We dive into Kim's journey moving to an orphanage home and coping with the death of her mother. An activity that students can participate in through engagement and understanding is building a character story map. Students will build a story map on the emotions and experiences of the character throughout the book. Students will consider the beginning, middle, and end of the story by writing or drawing. Another activity that can be done is cultural representation reflections through critical thinking and research skills. Students consider diverse representation with guided reflection on what they see in their world and the experiences they notice in the text. This may include reflecting on concepts such as privilege, power, and/or bias that might be in the text.

[Sophie Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very heart-warming, sad, but beautifully written story. It is about a girl, named Kim, who thinks back to when her mother was killed when there was a bombing in their village in Vietnam. She was just four years old when she was rescued by soldiers who brought her to an orphanage. Kim grows up with her friends and the couple who runs the orphanage. She remembers her mother's last words to her, "I will always be with you." It has a good message to the story because it shows how hope can be found in terrible situations. I thought the illustrations in this book were remarkable. They looked like they were painted with watercolor and were very subtle and colorful. I enjoyed how this book was based off a true story from the Vietnam War and how it was a picture book, but meant for a more mature audience. I would recommend children ages 8-12 read this story. The older you are, the more you will be able to understand the events in the book and appreciate the true meaning of it.

[Emily K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is about a 4 year old girl named Kim. Kim is from a small village in Vietnam that is sadly bombed, killing her mother and damaging her eyesight. The last words her mother says to her are "I will always be with you". A sad, but strong sentiment. Kim is eventually found by some kind soldiers who bring her to an orphanage. Over time, she begins to adjust to her new life, though she's still grieving over the loss of her mother. She continues to hear bombs and warfare outside the orphanage, reminding of her of her mother's last words. This book is based on a true story and would be a great way to introduce students to the Vietnam War.

[Elle Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would only feel comfortable sharing this book with an older age group seeing that it touches on such a serious and devastating topic. Considering this is based off of a true story, I would ask my students to write a letter to the main character. This book is a really good example of a 'Windows and Mirrors.' I would also like to include this on my historical fiction bookshelf.

[Amanda Vander hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, while for young readers, explores some deep topics and themes. It is set in the backdrop of the Vietnam War and starts with the young girl's mother dying. It follows her journey but also as she holds her mother's words close to her chest, telling herself that her mother will always be with her. It explores war for children, showing what civilians go through when war is between bigger and more important people that the aftermath doesn't necessarily affect. It is hard to explore that topic without a child to relate to in a book like this.

Vander Zee, R. (2008, January 14). Always With You. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

[Nat Whitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a wonderful addition to every American children's section for helping American children envision children on the other side of the world who live through conflict.

Kim, a young girl of four, is in harm's way as a child in a Vietnamese village. Her mother tells her to not be afraid and that she will always be with her, but of course, during this civil war, the mother can not control what happens to her family.

Kim must survive losing her mother, being hit on the head with a rifle butt by soldiers, adjusting to life in an orphanage as an internally-displaced person, and dealing with blurry vision and surgeries caused by her war injury.

The sheer horror of lives like this prevent these stories from getting told. Yet, it is important that each human grow up with the ability to picture who is on the end of those bombs that are getting dropped. This book helps them see the humanity of a little girl caught in the crossfire. The author notes that between 300,000 - 800,000 children were orphaned during the Vietnam War.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that the author chose to write this story through the perspective of a South Vietnamese girl during the Veitnam war. It almost made me cry when I read about how she watched her mother die and how she always remembered the last words her mother told her, "Don't be afraid. I will always be with you."

This would be a fantastic book to read to students to show them how not only did the American's lose many lives and struggle during the Vietnam War, but so did the Vietnamese. It's important to them that we were not fighting against all of Vietnam. We were trying to protect South Vietnam from communist North Vietnam. We got involved in Vietnam's civil war.

It could also be used for children who are having a hard time dealing with losing a loved one.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two things that I need to keep in mind when I am about to read the newest book by Ruth Vander Zee: I will need an entire box of kleenex with me as I read; and I will not be the same person I was when I opened the boook for that first time.

No matter what subject Ms. Vander Zee tackles, from the Holocaust, to the KKK and now to the Viet Nam War, she tells the hardest stories with the softest voice. And even when showing us both the good and bad sides of human nature, she never lets us forget one important fact - there is always hope and sometimes that is enough to help anyone get through some of the worst times in their life.

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about a little girl. It is a tearjerker, her mother dies in an explosion and now she is an orphan. She makes it through with the help of soldiers and the couple who run the orphanage but most importantly she remembers everyday what her momma told her, " don't be afraid, I will always be with you."

[Priscilla Schelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this sort because it reinforced the concept that family means being with people who love each other and take care of one another. However, I feel like a story about a parent's/villages deaths are inappropriate for young readers. I don't want my students running home to hide under their covers thinking their parents are going to die soon and their city will b destroyed.

[Cheryl Kays · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a girl that becomes an orphan during Vietnam. It teaches us that people do not have to be blood related to be family. Family is made up of the people that love you and help you get through the hard times in life.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cried. At work.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful story about a young Vietnamese girl who is orphaned when her mother is killed and her village destroyed.

[Bethany Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a young girl orphaned during the Vietnam War.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

chapter 7

[Amy Yount · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapter 7 recommended reading