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A Boat to Nowhere
Fleeing from agents of the new communist government in Vietnam, an old man and three children begin an endless and seemingly hopeless struggle for survival as boat people. Reissue.
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1980
2 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Crane Wartski
19 books3 followersMaureen Crane Wartski (Maureen Ann Crane) was born on January 25, 1940 in Ashiya, Japan. She earned her B.A. degree from Sophia University in 1962. As a children's and young adult author, she won the Annual Book Award of the Child Study Committee at Bank Street College of Education for A Boat to Nowhere. In addition to writing children's books, she published romance novels under various pseudonyms, including Francine Shore, Evelyn Shannon, Cynthia Leigh, Laura Jorda, Cynthia Sinclair, and Rebecca Ward. She also wrote for magazines, such as Boy's Life. As well as writing, Wartski taught at Sharon High School in Sharon, Massachusetts, and pursued various creative arts, such as painting and quilt making. She was married to Maximillian Wartski, and travelled with him for his career in the military. Her two sons, Albert and Mark, were born in Thailand, before they moved to the United States in the 1960s. Wartski died on January 14, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 25, 2017
This is a very sad story about a family who had to leave their home. The sea was their only escape.
March 15, 2018
This is a story about the Vietnam War and the boat people trying to escape the carnage. I don't know if kids today would enjoy it or view it as ancient history.
January 28, 2025
I read this historical fiction to my kids as part of our study on communism in Asia.
A grandfather and his two grandchildren, Mai and Loc, whom he had cared for after their own parents died, lived in a remote village on the farthest point of South Vietnam. The Vietnam War had ended and the communist government had moved into the South, though it had taken some time to get into this particular area.
The day the government officials made their way into the village, it was apparent they meant to make changes immediately, instituting the confiscation of half of everything the villagers manufactured, produced, sold, or caught from the sea. If one did not agree or comply, he must attend a re-education camp. That is precisely why they intended to take Grandfather since he knew too much already.
However, before the officials could take him away, Kien (his adopted teen grandson), along with Mai and Loc, encouraged him to escape by way of the village fishing boat, Sea Breeze. Only Grandfather knew how to navigate the stars at night and the sun by day. With his knowledge and Kien's fishing skill, they could make it to Thailand. With very little food or supplies, they evaded the officials and headed west, hopeful to make a temporary home elsewhere with the promise to return to Vietnam in the future.
They became known as the Boat People.
It is estimated between 800,000 to two million South Vietnamese escaped between 1975 to 1995. They fled to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Some were turned away and countless died at sea.
Why did people flee Vietnam after the Vietnam War? Because communism is incessant and promises only hell on earth. The South Vietnamese feared retaliation, re-education (brainwashing), and imprisonment (torture). They would rather face death on the open sea -- dehydration, starvation, sharks, storms, and shipwreck -- than fall into the hands of an ideology that is cruel, wicked, and inhumane.
While I was reading this book, I was sure it was a true story, but it is not. At best, it is an historical fiction. Sadly, Vietnam still embraces Marxist/Leninist ideologies and is governed by only Communists, but today it is considered to be a Socialist Republic. I do not know much more about what it is like to live there now and I wonder if any Boat People returned to Vietnam, like Grandfather had hoped to.
Grandfather had never made it back to Vietnam. And he never got to see his grandchildren rescued at sea.
* * *
A grandfather and his two grandchildren, Mai and Loc, whom he had cared for after their own parents died, lived in a remote village on the farthest point of South Vietnam. The Vietnam War had ended and the communist government had moved into the South, though it had taken some time to get into this particular area.
The day the government officials made their way into the village, it was apparent they meant to make changes immediately, instituting the confiscation of half of everything the villagers manufactured, produced, sold, or caught from the sea. If one did not agree or comply, he must attend a re-education camp. That is precisely why they intended to take Grandfather since he knew too much already.
However, before the officials could take him away, Kien (his adopted teen grandson), along with Mai and Loc, encouraged him to escape by way of the village fishing boat, Sea Breeze. Only Grandfather knew how to navigate the stars at night and the sun by day. With his knowledge and Kien's fishing skill, they could make it to Thailand. With very little food or supplies, they evaded the officials and headed west, hopeful to make a temporary home elsewhere with the promise to return to Vietnam in the future.
They became known as the Boat People.
It is estimated between 800,000 to two million South Vietnamese escaped between 1975 to 1995. They fled to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Some were turned away and countless died at sea.
Why did people flee Vietnam after the Vietnam War? Because communism is incessant and promises only hell on earth. The South Vietnamese feared retaliation, re-education (brainwashing), and imprisonment (torture). They would rather face death on the open sea -- dehydration, starvation, sharks, storms, and shipwreck -- than fall into the hands of an ideology that is cruel, wicked, and inhumane.
While I was reading this book, I was sure it was a true story, but it is not. At best, it is an historical fiction. Sadly, Vietnam still embraces Marxist/Leninist ideologies and is governed by only Communists, but today it is considered to be a Socialist Republic. I do not know much more about what it is like to live there now and I wonder if any Boat People returned to Vietnam, like Grandfather had hoped to.
Grandfather had never made it back to Vietnam. And he never got to see his grandchildren rescued at sea.
* * *
August 25, 2012
Historical fiction based on the real life of Vietnam refugees.
August 5, 2020
Short Lil book my friend found at a used book store for 5 cents. Hehe! I enjoyed learning more about the ‘boat people’ fleeing Vietnam post-war. Though the language wasn’t tough and much of it was predictable, it was a cute educational story. I realized later it may be a very long children’s book? (3rd grade or so?) which makes sense given that is was basic. I’d have liked it to deal with more complex themes, thought processes, non-repetitive scenarios/vocabulary/character dialogue... but that would’ve transformed it into a non-children’s book I suppose/not the intended audience. Nonetheless I enjoyed!
January 17, 2023
2.5 stars.
Simple language, beautiful illustration, and an exhausting story. Grandfather, Mai, Loc, and Kien leave Vietnam when representatives of the New Government find their village and threaten to take Grandfather to a reeducation center.
It reads a little like a true adventure story, complete with sharks and pirates and bad men on a deserted island (who conveniently have a mast and sail they saved, and a doctor with antibiotics...), but really they are sick and starving and desperate, so it's hard to get through.
I appreciate that the author creates a sympathetic portrait of "boat people" for a US audience at a time when so many refugees were arriving.
Simple language, beautiful illustration, and an exhausting story. Grandfather, Mai, Loc, and Kien leave Vietnam when representatives of the New Government find their village and threaten to take Grandfather to a reeducation center.
It reads a little like a true adventure story, complete with sharks and pirates and bad men on a deserted island (who conveniently have a mast and sail they saved, and a doctor with antibiotics...), but really they are sick and starving and desperate, so it's hard to get through.
I appreciate that the author creates a sympathetic portrait of "boat people" for a US audience at a time when so many refugees were arriving.
June 25, 2018
Such a great story. Will keep with me all my life.
August 29, 2018
good. a small book about big issues.
April 28, 2022
I remember this book being so sad like noooooo.
August 27, 2025
A gripping story of family, the search for freedom, and the hope that keeps going in the face of desperation. I truly fell in love with these characters, and felt their relationships deeply. Would that the world valued the peaceful, good people in every land rather than stamping out that goodness in the name of mass government control.
March 28, 2022
As the new Vietnamese government threatens their home village, Mai, Loc, Kien, and Thay Van Chi ("The Old Man") set sail to find a new home. Along the way, they face heat, rain, starvation, sickness, and pirates. This book is a well-done commentary on what many people escaping post-war Vietnam faced.
Lexile Level: 670
Lexile Level: 670
December 10, 2019
Though brief, this little book is exciting and moving. At first I thought it was a bit too childish for my taste, and didn't really like it all. However, partway through the book, the narrating character changes, and the book becomes much better.
It was also refreshing to find a book about the Vietnam War that is depicted from the Vietnamese people's point of view, and is not about battles and fighting but rather about how normal citizens were impacted.
A vividly drawn, fast paced and well written story that readers of all ages can enjoy.
It was also refreshing to find a book about the Vietnam War that is depicted from the Vietnamese people's point of view, and is not about battles and fighting but rather about how normal citizens were impacted.
A vividly drawn, fast paced and well written story that readers of all ages can enjoy.
December 11, 2009
This book is about a Vietnam family who flee the city to live in a small village hidden inside of a huge forest, just to be away from the Vietnam's new government. Though they couldn't stay hidden for too long, the new government found them one day! They were punished and finally decided to run away again, but this time, their plan was to sail the water to Thailand !!
The story went on about them getting rid of sharks, pirates, and storms with their courage and intelligence.
The story went on about them getting rid of sharks, pirates, and storms with their courage and intelligence.
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August 6, 2011Fleeing from agents of the new communist government in Vietnam, an old man and three children begin an endless and seemingly hopeless struggle for survival as boat people.
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A simple story of what many people in Vietnam went through during the Vietnam War, I thought it was probably very realistic. Written for older children/young adults, it still conveys some of the horrors but in a gentler, non-graphic way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A simple story of what many people in Vietnam went through during the Vietnam War, I thought it was probably very realistic. Written for older children/young adults, it still conveys some of the horrors but in a gentler, non-graphic way.
May 16, 2014
This is a book about a girl name Mai and her story about escape and survival. I'm amazed at how much she has grown as a character throughout the entire story. At first she was a very naive girl who didn't know what was going on. As reality hit her she became more responsible. With the help of a friend name Kien, she is able to take care of her little brother and grandfather throughout the trip until they are rescued.
September 28, 2007
Not a very good book. Apparently it's about the "Boat People" who left Vietnam, but there wasn't really much to this book. I don't know if it was a children's book or a short story, but there was very little substance to it. It's the only free book I've ever read then put back on the take shelf!
To be fair, though, the little substance there was was well-told.
To be fair, though, the little substance there was was well-told.
April 28, 2014
this is the most awesome book ever this book is intresting and it has very good detail and gave me picture of what is going on in this book it has a happy ending but sad at the same time when the grandfather died
September 6, 2014
I don't know how to describe this book.
In term of writing, it's simple.
But this book is moving, my heart is racing to fast when I read.
Sometimes I hold my breath.
Somehow I need this book to be known.
In term of writing, it's simple.
But this book is moving, my heart is racing to fast when I read.
Sometimes I hold my breath.
Somehow I need this book to be known.
June 10, 2008
Sad, poignant story about a family forced to escape Vietnam. probably a young adult novel, gently discussed the hopelessness of the refugees.
July 19, 2009
Simply amazing!
June 20, 2010
This book depressed me, but I still loved it. Very touching story. Had to read it for my school's summer reading. But, I would've gladly read this book on my own, anyway.
August 15, 2009
Very interesting and easy-to-read novel based on the experiences of the Vietnamese boat people. I would prefer to read a true story of this however.
March 27, 2010
The book was pretty good but it was boring at many times...
November 22, 2013
This book was very short and easy read. I was able to predict the end almost spot on, and I wish it had been more creative and challenging.
November 26, 2014
This was a great book to read before Thanksgiving. Makes me grateful to have my own life.
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January 15, 2015I think there will some people in the war and kids the kids got save and they are in boat to nowhere
May 31, 2016
I am not satisfied with this ending
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews