House Without Walls

by Ching Yeung Russell

For most people, "home" is a safe, warm place with four walls. For a refugee, "home" is ever-changing. And often, it doesn't have any walls at all.

House Without Walls has been beautifully rendered in paperback!

Eleven-year-old Lam escapes from Vietnam with her younger brother during the Vietnamese Boat People Exodus in 1979, when people from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fled their homelands for safety. For Lam, "safety" means joining her father in San Francisco. But the trip to the United States is long and perilous, full of dangerous encounters with pirates and greedy sailors, a lack of food and water, and even the stench of dead bodies. Befriending Nam, Dao, and their parents is a small reprieve from the horror, but the worst is yet to come. . . . Can Lam and her brother survive the refugee camps? Will they be reunited with their father?

Written in verse, House Without Walls is a heartfelt story that is sure to elicit empathy and compassion for refugees around the world escaping oppression.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Poetry, Novel In Verse, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2019

Reviews

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about sacrifice, the capacity of human beings to be kind to strangers, and what it means to HOLD ON to hope. The story follows two kids on their 13 month journey from escaping Vietnam to reuniting with their father in the USA.

Since I read this for work, I had very low expectations for it, but it turned out to be really raw, real, and heart breaking. Written for a middle grade audience, the language is simple and kind, but the impact is gut wrenching.

Popsugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book with an oxymoron in the title

[Queen Cronut · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel told in verse about Vietnamese refugees fleeing from Ho Chi Minh's communist regime. This book made me reminiscent of Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai because of it's similar theme and premise.

House Without Walls follows the story of Lam, an eleven-year-old Vietnamese girl with a Chinese heritage escaping to America from Ho Chi Minh's oppressive communist dictatorship with her brother, Dee Dee. Although this book is a short and quick read, it discusses topics such as refugees, prejudice, and the long, perilous journey of seeking asylum. I really liked that this book doesn't sugarcoat or shy away from the darker/less appealing aspects of the often unfortunate situations Lam and the other refugees are put in which makes it very seem realistic.

House Without Walls is based on the accounts of refugees who fled during the Vietnamese Boat People Exodus of 1971. Ching Yeung Russel did a thorough job with her interviews and research which is very evident throughout the novel. Although told through the eyes of a young girl, Russel expertly portrays Lam's bigger understanding of the world around her as she experiences inhumane conditions and disasters while still retaining some of her naivete and optimism. Definitely recommended if you enjoyed Inside Out and Back Again or Refugee.

*Thank you to NetGalley and its publishers for providing a free ARC*

[Christina Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't prepared for the emotional depth and heft of this story. Written in verse, it follows Lam and her brothers as they attempt to leave Vietnam and emigrate to another country, in the aftermath of the victory of the north Vietnamese forces and the subsequent discrimination against her family and other Chinese families.
This story has moments of darkness, but is also shot through with hope as the children face obstacle upon obstacle to reach safety and their father, ho successfully emigrated to America years earlier. At every step Lam is torn between the hope of a new future, the family she has left behind in Vietnam and the new 'found' family she has made along the way.
Beautiful and important book, recommended for all!
(If giving to younger children, please note that there is repeated mention of the threat of sexual violence and rape against women and girls although our narrator does not experience or witness this. As might be expected from the dangerous journey undertaken, there are also descriptions of death)

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and an important look at the life of a refugee camp.

This book will open the eyes of both Children and adults as they realize how lucky they are with the privileged lives they lead and how not everyone is so lucky.

[Sachi Argabright · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOUSE WITHOUT WALLS is a beautiful yet devastating middle grade novel in verse about the Vietnam Boat People Exodus in 1979 where people from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fled their countries for safety. The book follows eleven year old Lam and her younger brother Dee Dee as they take a long and grueling journey to a refugee camp across the sea, and then hopefully to their father in the United States. While most people think of home as a place with four walls, for these refugees home is temporary and a place without walls. This novel illustrates the fear, uncertainty, and small joys refugees experience and the strong relationships they rely on to survive.

All I knew about this book before I read it was that it was a middle grade novel in verse, and it focused on Vietnamese refugees. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was quickly immersed in this heartfelt book. Based on the real life experiences of Lam and Dee Dee, Russell takes their experiences and brings them to life in a way that will make every reader empathize with refugees around the world. I felt so strongly for each character in this book, and wanted to wrap them in a warm hug when I was finished. While these siblings endure horrible obstacles on their journey, they also experience simple moments of tranquility and unexpected friendships that change their lives forever.

I can’t express enough how important I think this book is. If you enjoyed THE BEST WE COULD DO (a graphic memoir about Vietnamese refugees), or want to know about this period of time, please pick up this book. The hardcover is very affordable, and I feel like every reader could benefit from understanding refugees more. A must read!

*A free copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immigrants and refugees are all over the news lately, so this is a timely read.It gives a good overview about refugees and refugee camps through the eyes of a 11 year old Lam. I've know refugees from WW2, refugees from Viet Nam, Somalia, and other countries, both as friends, students and patrons. and extended family members. it's a rough road to travel and a dangerous one. One takes a chance and hope for a better life eventually. I know of one man who spend a little over 15 years in a camp. sad. BUT, these refugees have made themselves wonderful new lives over here in my community and their children are doing very well. I encourage everyone to read books on refugee experiences in the camps and in their travels toward freedom. I pray none of us ever finds ourselves in that situation.This is a good story for 5th grade up, It's written in free verse so it's a quick and easy read.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Arin · Rating 5 out of 5]

eARC provided by Netgalley.

I’ve tried to write down my feelings about this book many times but so far I have found them very hard to express, but I will now try to do my best.

Let’s Chat: Plot and Writing

This book is based on a true story, it tells the story of Lam as she and her brother flee from Vietnam during the Vietnamese Boat People Exodus in 1979. I did not know much about this topic before I started reading this book, but after reading it I have felt compelled to look more into it and plan on doing further research into the topic soon. It feels weird to make any comments about the “plot” given that it is the true story of someone’s life, so I am not going to really. I will say that there were many points at this story that broke my heart, especially knowing that everything is true.

This book is written in verse. I am not normally a big fan of books written in verse, but I think that it worked very very well for this book and plot. The verse was very well written, it pulled at my heart strings several times. It also makes this book a very quick read, which I always appreciate.

Let’s Chat: Characters

I feel very weird making any comments on any specific characters because, once again, these are real people and making vague judgement about any real person based off of a middle grade novel makes me very uncomfortable. However, I will say that I normally feel like books told in verse do not let me connect to the characters as much but that was not the case with this book. I feel like we knew each of them fairly well and I really enjoyed seeing how they bonded and interacted with each other.

Let’s Chat: Importance

As someone who grew up in a very small, very conservative town and has heard exactly what is said in those small towns concerning immigrants and really anyone different from the white, protestant norm, I am so glad this book exists. Books like this written for a middle grade audience are so important given the current view point on refugees and immigrants in the United States. I can clearly see a situation in which a child picks this book up and reads it and gains an understanding (and hopefully some sympathy) for people in situations they will never be able to understand and never have to experience.

Let’s Chat: Overall Thoughts

I’ve had a lot of issues trying to discuss my feelings for this book, as I’ve said, so this review is rather short. When I was trying to plan out this review all I had written down was “I loved this and it is important” and that basically summarizes everything. I feel very odd making any critical comments on a story about people’s lives (hence why I don’t typically rate memoirs or anything of the sort), but there honestly was not anything to be critical of.

[Michelle Kenneth - PerfectionistWannabe.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to understand the plight of the immigrant and those fleeing their country, you need to read this. This book is aimed at a Middle Grade audience, but I believe everyone should read it. Each chapter is short with simple paragraphs (like poetry, but it is not) to tell the story of two children left to fend for themselves as they try to escape Vietnam in 1979. They face pirate attacks, a sinking ship, hunger, thirst, poisonous insects, snakes, rape scares, etc. all in an effort to find a safe haven in another country. Their aim is to make it to America where their father is.

Luckily, a family decides to help these two children during their stay in refugee camps, even though they face their own devastating losses. The most important thing they do is teach them how to survive on their own.

I think my heart will always be with these two kids, because they are so much like the children that are racing to other countries around the world as the only homes they have ever known are destroyed. They are running to survive.

A must read for all.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.]

[Masatoshi Nishimura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute cover and short writing style totally throw you off, of what's coming in the story. I was much more expecting a lightheart child's story, but it was a surprise in a good way. From the beginning to the end, this book had grasped my imagination with rich emotions.

The story's set from the perspective of a young girl. But I also felt a strong underlying message that is somewhat political in its nature. But I enjoyed that style of throwing out broader societale questions quite a bit. I admit it changed my view more sympathetic towards refugees; and let me be grateful for the country and era I was born in.

[Pearline]

Reminds me of Inside Out and Back Again.

[Jonny Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for all ages that tells the story of a young girl and her brother as they escape Vietnam in order to find a better life. Written in free verse, with short but evocative chapters, the book doesn't sugarcoat the struggles of traveling on a boat or living in a refugee camp, while showing the importance of friendship and finding family. It's easy to empathize with the main character Lam, as she faces both hardship and moments of joy in her journey to find a home. Recommended!

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A House Without Walls was an unexpected find for me at the library and I am so very glad that it was! It is the story of Lam (11 years old) and her brother Dee Dee (7 years old) and their flight from Vietnam in 1979 as part of 'the Boat People.' The author met the brother and sister upon whom the story is based in 1986, was in awe of their hazardous journey to the United States and felt compelled to tell their story.

I was in elementary school in 1979 and I remember hearing about the church "sponsoring" refugees, but I really had no idea what that meant. A House Without Walls puts faces and names on the tide of refugees from Vietnam at that time. The story resonated with me for that reason and in light of the refugee crisis we are experiencing currently on a worldwide level.

Lam and Dee Dee and the others on their overcrowded boat are refused entrance to several countries because they are unwilling to accept more refugees into their economic and social situations. Lam describes it as feeling she is a burden:

I feel so low.
It just dawned on me that
we are a burden for others.
We are not welcome.
Our lives seem so worthless
that no one in the world
can be bothered
to give us a hand.

I was immediately drawn into Lam's story. I read the entire book in one sitting. I do think stories like these, when told through the structure of free verse, can be especially evocative of both place and emotion because the words are chosen so specifically and each word carries so much of the story individually. That is definitely the case here.

A House Without Walls might be difficult to use as a read-aloud in a 3rd - 5th grade class because it does specifically refer to Lam's fear of being raped by pirates, which not all children may understand and that's a dificult conversation to have in a classroom where so many students are at different developmental places in their growth and capacity for understanding. It would work as an independent read for older, middle-grade students. It could also easily work as a parent-child buddy read, offering a wealth of opportunities for discussion on refugees, immigration, empathy, social justice, etc.

If you enjoy A House Without Walls, I highly recommend Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Lai's story tells more about her adjustment to life in the United States after arriving there and A House Without Walls focuses on the journey from Vietnam to the U.S.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I read an ARC copy of this book.

This book was inspired by the author's friends' experiences of fleeing Vietnam during/after the Sino-Vietnamese War.

In the USA, at least in my experience, World War I and World War II are heavily focused on. Not much is spent on recent history. Not much is spent on conflicts in the world outside of the US or Europe. And while I did like my history classes in high school, it's evident that my lessons were taught in a way that favored the US.

This middle-grade book, written in verse, influenced by a conflict I know little about, engrossed me. And at points made me feel ashamed. People go through tremendous hardships in the world. Some people are blessed to never know what it is like to leave a home, leave your family and friends, leave your country, leave everything that you know, in fear with nothing but the clothes on your back and a foreign destination and hope that you will make it and meet your family and friends again one day.

This book goes through what can happen, and what has happened, along the way when you escape your country and become a refugee. For sure there will be guaranteed enemies and cruelties, but there is also unexpected kindness from unlikely people as well. I liked that the author included this section where the Vietnamese refugees who were stranded in the middle of the ocean for days with a broken, sinking boat, were ignored by a Japanese ship and a Taiwanese ship, but were rescued by a communist Russian ship who offered to take them to Russia or offered to tow them to Indonesia, fixed their boat, and gave them food and water. The compassion in this section really struck me, as did the kindness of strangers taking care of each other and looking out for each other, sharing what little they had with each other.

And although the book is not about what happens after the refugees are reconciled with their families in another country, I couldn't help but think about the cruelty that refugees face once they are situated in another land. The cruelty and mockery they receive from people who are so lucky to not have to go through the fear, the pain, the loss that they've faced.

I think everyone in life has their own battles to deal with, and it's not for anyone to say who's had it worse, but I think we should be kinder and more compassionate with each other. Patient and understanding.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pub Date: June 18, 2019

5 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

A novel for youth written in verse; Russell tells the story of Southern Vietnamese “boat people”, beginning in May of 1979. This group were targeted by the Vietcong Communist party when they took over Saigon in 1975. By 1978, the government was shutting down their businesses, taking away their homes, and sending men to reeducation camps or forcing them to fight against China at the border. Both deadly missions.

In order to escape communist rule, 1 million Vietnamese and Chinese fled and traveled by boat. Most did not survive. They sought refuge in countries along the Malaysian coastline, and other Southeast Asians countries. The boat trip was brutal, inhumane, unsanitary, and abysmal.

Our main character’s name is Lam, and her brothers are Daigo and Dee Dee. The story opens with the three siblings saying goodbye to their Ah Mah (grandma) and ma (mother), nervous about leaving their home and family. Their Baba (father) escaped two years ago after his shop was shut down, and now lives in San Francisco. The goal is to get to America to live with him.

Lam and Dee Dee endure a 13 month journey from Vietnam to San Francisco, and during each part, emotions run high. On the open sea there is a fear of pirates, fear of running out of drinkable water and food, fear of the boat dying, and fear of each other dying. On land in refugee camps, hope is brought by the Red Cross. But, then disease spreads, deadly snakes bite, and depression sets in. They endured a treacherous trek, and Russell does an amazing job of relaying the truth of what happened during this forgotten time in our world’s history. It was a pleasure and an honor to learn about Lam’s story from Russell’s perspective.

[Kumasama · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Score: 8/10*

This is a middle grade novel written in verse about the refuge experience of Vietnamese people in 1979 during the Sino-Vietnamese war. Its partially based on the experience of two real refugees that the author have interviewed, but also mixed in with other stories she heared, so its kind of partially non-fiction.

Language is simple as per expected for middle grade novel, but author uses nice key words to make it easier to imagine the scenery and experience. Though a bit simplistic I enjoyed her style and approach.

There is a lot of sadness here, and even though the audience is middle grade, the author doesnt shy away from topics such as disease, death, inhumanity of some people, and such topics that are very real to refugees. As the story follows the 2 main characters journey, the reader gets swept into this experience and really feels attached to their fates.

What I consider as one of the key highlights is the balance of showing also the goodness of human heart under such circumistances, as the 2 main characters get kind of adopted into a family through the journey. The bond that is formed with this family is a good warming experience that balances the darkness surrounding the events, and makes you invested in their fates collectively. The author successfully conveys the refugee experience imo.

I felt the ending was a bit too quick, and was hoping for less predictable outcome (though understandable given the audience). I also would have liked to have one or two more prespectives here to really entich the experience, and to view it from different angles, as the author decided to focus only on one main prespective.

A good short and page turning book that I recommend for fans of such stories based on reality, even for older audience.

[Lawrence Berz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Written by a minority author

The plight of young children fleeing Vietnam in the aftermath of the Communist victory and occupation best describes this vivid, terse, and utterly compelling story of stamina, adventure, ordeal, family, and above all, love. The "House Without Walls" refers to the temporary and threadbare shelters constructed by the 11 year old Lam and others as refugees struggled for pure survival after experiencing near catastrophe at sea. From the South China Sea, to Malaysia and finally Indonesia, the young refugees try to construct a migrant life which test every fiber of their being. Author Russell unfolds Lam's story with an ultra-compact, set of diary like entries which painstakingly outline the uncertainties , inconveniences and dangers of broken lives seeking shelter from the storm. The children's ultimate reunification with their "baba" (father) in the United States lends itself to a cathartic, emotional resolution. To sum it all up, what a remarkable "window" and "sliding door" experience for anyone unaware of this terrible period in the lives of the Vietnamese people as well as those Chinese natives who made Vietnam their home. Highly recommended for young adults.

[Shaye Miller]

Oh my, what an important story! Eleven-year-old Lam and her younger brother, Dee Dee, must escape from Vietnam and the cruel communist regime. Their hope is to leave the country by boat and eventually connect with their father who already made it to San Francisco in the United States.

Written in verse, this novel shares a grueling journey across sea and land where starvation and illness threaten their very lives. It’s horrific to learn of the pain experienced on the journey — of the ongoing nausea/vomit, of people being urinated on, and of the stench of death (as not everyone made it to shore, alive). Even on land, there is rape, illnesses, insects, snakes, leeches, lack of clean water, and military violence to fear. Despite these dreadful conditions, friendships are forged and family is adopted after Lam and Dee Dee are separated from their older brother (who happened to have all their money). The refugees slowly piece together a way of life as they fight to stay alive. And as the title indicates, we definitely learn that not all houses are built with walls.

This story was based on interviews conducted by Russell over many years. Before the story began, there was a lengthy and important Prologue that shares a number of details about the real life Lam and Dee Dee as well as other historical details.

While we learn that Russell toned down the horrors of these perilous journeys (since it was written for younger readers), everything about the story felt authentic. I’ve learned a lot about wars through the study of history, but we don’t often hear from the side of refugees who were trapped in deadly living conditions. So I’m grateful to learn more about the Vietnam Boat People Exodus in 1979 and I highly recommend this title for middle schools and high school libraries.

My thanks to Netgalley and Yellow Jacket for approving an e-ARC so that I could provide my honest review. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

Written as soon as I finished reading:
Wow. So sad, but so well written. An important historical fiction that needs to be shared! Full review to come soon...

[Dan Allbery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel so low.
It just dawned on me that
we are a burden for others.
We are not welcome.
Our lives seem so worthless
that no one in the world
can be bothered
to give us a hand.
I want to go home.
My family would
never,
never
think
I was a burden
to them.

House Without Walls is a real-life account of siblings Lam and Dee Dee's journey to flee communist-led Vietnam. There journey is harrowing at times and absolutely stalled and mundane at others. The boredom was important to show as the reality of refugees finding their end destination is not quick and easy. It is filled with bureaucracy and countless steps.

The story is often slow and with a muted cover, many middle school students would not pick up this text on their own. It needs to be talked and pitched. I could see this being an important text especially for GR 6 students as the main character is 11 going on 12. It would be profound for students to compare and contrast their own lives and reflect on the challenges refugees face and the privileges they--as the reader--have. Recommended for GR 6-7, especially in SE Asia (book is set in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia).

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I've cried while reading books but no book has ever made me wheeze or accidently spill my tears onto my pages or desk like this book did. This book was incredible and so heartbreaking at times. I knew the moment I discovered this book a few months ago that I would love it and I wasn't wrong.

I love the unique formatting of this book and how it is written in verse rather than the traditional written format. I feel like it emphasized the story more in a subtle way. I loved it. Also this is such an easy and quick book to read. I will read this again one day because I loved it so much. :)

Quotes

"For me,
there is no way back.
I am scared.
I am alone,
like a kite
that has broken away from its string and
doesn't know
where it will
land."

"I say to Dao quietly,
Goodbye, Dao.
I promise I will go to Disneyland
to see Snow White for you."

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

House Without Walls
by Ching Yeung Russell

Yellow Jacket

Children’s Fiction , Middle Grade

Pub Date 04 Jun 2019

I am reviewing a copy of House Without Walls through Yellow Jacket and Netgalley:

It’s 1979 and eleven year old Lam and her brother escape Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnamese Boat People Exodus. They manage to survive unbearable conditions, without food, and little water

This is a powerful story, of loss, of building a new life and of surviving against all odds, written in the lyrical forms, it would be a book I highly recommend to Middle Grade readers. It would be a great opening to talking about The Vietnamese Boat People Exodus and all they must have endured!

I give House Without Walls five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

[Lau, Ka-Sing · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 80’s, I helped some new Vietmanese refugees as host family, and heard about their traumatic experiences. I am very moved to read the book “house without walls”, which reflects the real catastrophe. The story is about an 11 year old girl and her younger brother escape from Vietnam by boat in 1979, their dangerous encounters on the sea and the sufferings before finally reaching the refugee camp.
It is more than just a fiction, everything is so real; it records the history. I still remember at that time there was news about a Russian ship picking a boat of refugees from the sea, as described in the book
The story is so fascinating that I can’t put it down until I finished. Sstrongly recommended

[Karen McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lam and Dee-Dee manage to survive a dramatic boat escape from Vietnam, but what follows is a harrowing survival story of two children facing a dangerous ocean, violent adults, and deadly diseases and animals. Told in verse form, it was not the beauty of the poetry, but the honesty of the life-and-death struggle that made this story haunting. Not shying away from difficult topics, rape is mentioned several times and a main character dies. This is an important book, but I don't see my 4th graders being able to handle it yet. I see this story working best for middle school and up. #LitReviewCrew

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expected this to be so deep, thoughtful or heart wrenching. It is written in free verse and flows easily making it a quick & easy read but the topic is very full. Based on true stories, it follows a girl and her brother leave Vietnam in 1979 fleeing the oppressive regime trying to make it to safety and then to find their Baba (father) in America.

They become close to a family on their journey and try and stay together despite the turmoil and pain that they face. It was both beautiful and heartbreaking.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vietnam has fallen to the Vietcong. The American forces have fled and many in Vietnam are afraid of what is to follow. That is why Lam and Dee Dee are put on a boat and sent out to see. Their family hopes they will find refuge and make their way to their father in America. The voyage is filled with danger as their boat experiences problems and they are not granted refuge. They are shuttled from one refugee camp to another and on one occasion sent back out to see on a sinking boat. They are helped along the way by a kind family who adopts them as their own. Their story is one of strength through tragedy as they seek a better life. It is based on real siblings who fled Vietnam in the 1970s. It was a beautiful story about refugees looking for a better life and one that is just as pertinent today as it was 40 years ago.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in verse, this emotional story is based on the real life journey of two refugee children fleeing Vietnam during the boat people exodus. Heart breaking, but with beautiful moments of kindness spread throughout. I love that the author is friends with the real life characters and that the epilogue is written by one of them. The listed recommend age is 10 and up, but possibly above that if you have a sensitive reader.

[Kelly Knits]

Not a pleasure for sure. A gritty and raw telling of children fleeing Vietnam during the boat lift. Opens with trauma and it continues. Recommend 8th grade and up for maturity needed to process this refugee story and the abuses detailed.

Prologue details the real historical events. Author discusses trauma and abuses of refugees and how other countries turned people away. The novel itself is written in verse and is a very fast read. It will sit with you and draw up intense feelings.

[Amari · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, Great read. I think novels like these that describe the plight of children during wartime/conflict are so important for people to read. Media glorifies the combat, the good vs. evil, the winners vs. losers and less often provides insight to the reverberations of war to civilians and children. This book definitely conveys the hardships and struggles in an approachable, age-appropriate and relatable way.

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add this one to your curriculum for grades 8 and up if you want to start a discussion about the plight of refugees. The verse novel format makes this one a quick read that even struggling readers will be engaged by. The characters have such heart, and the way they make a family when their own families get separated is touching.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heart-wrenching and emotional book. Through the retelling of the Vietnamese Boat People Exodus in 1979, I felt emotional as well as learned how much hardship they truly had to face. I felt like it was easy to empathize with the character, as she faces pain and moments of happiness over the smallest things.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This book was heartbreaking but beautiful. It was yet another part of history I was ignorant about and I was again educated by children’s literature. It really broke my heart even more for refugees. I think this book would tug on a lot of people’s heartstrings!