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Bamboo People
Bang! A side door bursts open. Soldiers pour into the room. They're shouting and waving rifles. I shield my head with my arms. It was a lie! I think, my mind racing.
Girls and boys alike are screaming. The soldiers prod and herd some of us together and push the rest apart as if we're cows or goats. Their leader is a middle—aged man. He's moving slowly, intently, not dashing around like the others.
" Take the boys only, Win Min," I overhear him telling a tall, gangly soldier. "Make them obey."
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2010
179 people are currently reading
3277 people want to read
About the author
Mitali Perkins
25 books576 followersMitali Perkins has written many books for young readers as well as a couple for adults, including You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for the National Book Award) Rickshaw Girl (a NYPL best 100 Book for children in the past 100 years, film adaptation at rickshawgirlmovie.com), Bamboo People (an ALA Top 10 YA novel), and Forward Me Back to You, which won the South Asia Book Award for Younger Readers. Her newest novel, Hope in the Valley, received five starred reviews and was selected as a Best Book for Young Readers by Kirkus and Book Page. She currently writes and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area: mitaliperkins.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 546 reviews
December 19, 2014
I like this book because it's one of those interesting books that takes place in modern day. My review of this story takes place In modern day Burma, Chiko (main character) is looking for a job, to be a teacher), he tells his mom but she doesn't want him in danger. Finally she lets him go, when he's at the city hall he finds out its a trick to get forced into the Burmese army.
On the opposite side of the war, a karrani boy named Tu Reh join the army to get revenge on the Burmese for burning his village, on the way they meet and will have to learn how to get a friendship going and do the best for each other.
On the opposite side of the war, a karrani boy named Tu Reh join the army to get revenge on the Burmese for burning his village, on the way they meet and will have to learn how to get a friendship going and do the best for each other.
May 30, 2018
One of my favorite YA novels. Perkins explores the tragic and senseless repercussions of war on the border of Burma and Thailand, as told from the pov of two young men on each side. The setting is authentic and beautifully rendered, and the characters strong and believable. This novel is an important addition to YA literature.
December 19, 2014
In the book The Bamboo People there was a war. The war was between the Burmese and the Karreni. It's about a Burmese boy named Chiko who wants to be a teacher. Chiko instead gets forced into the Burmese army and has to train to be a soldier. Chiko meets Tai who is a street kid who becomes his best friend. Tai teaches Chiko how to survive the training, while Chiko teaches Tai how to read and write. Chiko gets a chance to go home but instead takes Tai's place and goes to war instead, while Tai goes back to Yangon. On Chiko's mission something happens to Chiko.
Tu Reh a Karreni boy who has a decision to either kill Chiko or save him. Tu Reh has to make a lot of decisions and the person he admires does'nt like his decision. When he made his decision he had a lot of problems to deal with.
I thought this was a great book because I can relate to it. I also like this book because I thought it was an interesting book. The book was fun to read. This book has history about burma but it wasn't boring it was fun history. The theme "No Hero Comes Back Unscathed" was a great theme and it helps with the story. The theme goes along with the story really well. This was a great book.
Tu Reh a Karreni boy who has a decision to either kill Chiko or save him. Tu Reh has to make a lot of decisions and the person he admires does'nt like his decision. When he made his decision he had a lot of problems to deal with.
I thought this was a great book because I can relate to it. I also like this book because I thought it was an interesting book. The book was fun to read. This book has history about burma but it wasn't boring it was fun history. The theme "No Hero Comes Back Unscathed" was a great theme and it helps with the story. The theme goes along with the story really well. This was a great book.
December 12, 2014
When I started this book, I got really interested in Chiko's story. I think it's a really good story for him, and how he got captured helped me understand more on being taken by the military. When I got into Tu Reh's side of the story, it really helped me understand how the Karenni were treated, and their reactions on all Burmese. the connection between Tu Reh and Chiko, and the story of their people really made this a good book for me.
August 27, 2014
Bamboo People is one of the best books I have read ever. I recommend this book to everyone. My favorite part of the book is the second part of the book because it is so suspenseful. I usually get bored during long books, but this one made me want to keep reading. I liked how in the middle of the book, it was written from a different character's perspective than in the first half.
Bamboo People takes place in Burma, in the jungles, in today's time. Chiko is Burmese, and Tu Reh is Karenni. Their people are fighting each other. Both are adolescent boys, and both end up being soldiers for their side.
At the beginning of the novel, Chiko has lost his dad to the government because his dad was a doctor. Chiko also gets taken by the government and is forced to train as a soldier. He meets a kid named Tai, which is his best friend at camp. Tai tries to escape camp so he and Chiko have to carry all the rocks back down to the creek as a punishment. Tai figures out how to carry the rocks faster by using buffalo and a cart. When the training captain finds out, he makes Tai stay in a little room without food or water. Chiko shares some of his food with Tai. Tai gets chosen for a special mission, and Chiko volunteers in his place so at the end of the first half of the book Tai gets to go home, and Chiko stays for another mission.
The second half of the book starts with Tu Reh, instead of Chiko. Tu Reh goes on a mission where he finds four dead bodies and one wounded body. Tu Reh doesn't want to take the wounded because he is wearing a Burmese uniform, and he remembers the Burmese soldiers burning the home and bamboo fields of his people. When he hears the wounded boy cry for his mother, he carries the body to the healer's hut where the healer tries to heal him. She can't heal him because it is a very bad cut, and it gets infected. Tu Reh says something about his camp, and the next day they leave. On the way, they hear something shaking the ground. Tu Reh gets in the path of an elephant and makes loud noises. The elephant gets scared and runs away. They get pretty close to camp when people start shooting at them. Tu Reh slung the wounded body over his shoulder and ran all the way to camp. The doctor had to cut the person's leg off and give him a fake leg. We find out at the end of the book that the wounded person is Chiko from the beginning of the novel.
Bamboo People takes place in Burma, in the jungles, in today's time. Chiko is Burmese, and Tu Reh is Karenni. Their people are fighting each other. Both are adolescent boys, and both end up being soldiers for their side.
At the beginning of the novel, Chiko has lost his dad to the government because his dad was a doctor. Chiko also gets taken by the government and is forced to train as a soldier. He meets a kid named Tai, which is his best friend at camp. Tai tries to escape camp so he and Chiko have to carry all the rocks back down to the creek as a punishment. Tai figures out how to carry the rocks faster by using buffalo and a cart. When the training captain finds out, he makes Tai stay in a little room without food or water. Chiko shares some of his food with Tai. Tai gets chosen for a special mission, and Chiko volunteers in his place so at the end of the first half of the book Tai gets to go home, and Chiko stays for another mission.
The second half of the book starts with Tu Reh, instead of Chiko. Tu Reh goes on a mission where he finds four dead bodies and one wounded body. Tu Reh doesn't want to take the wounded because he is wearing a Burmese uniform, and he remembers the Burmese soldiers burning the home and bamboo fields of his people. When he hears the wounded boy cry for his mother, he carries the body to the healer's hut where the healer tries to heal him. She can't heal him because it is a very bad cut, and it gets infected. Tu Reh says something about his camp, and the next day they leave. On the way, they hear something shaking the ground. Tu Reh gets in the path of an elephant and makes loud noises. The elephant gets scared and runs away. They get pretty close to camp when people start shooting at them. Tu Reh slung the wounded body over his shoulder and ran all the way to camp. The doctor had to cut the person's leg off and give him a fake leg. We find out at the end of the book that the wounded person is Chiko from the beginning of the novel.
September 17, 2018
I needed an historical fiction book for a challenge and this was available from the library. I would never have picked it up otherwise but it's really good.
I'm sure it glosses over lots of unpleasantness but it is an interesting glimpse into a period of which I was oblivious.
I'm sure it glosses over lots of unpleasantness but it is an interesting glimpse into a period of which I was oblivious.
June 7, 2012
Fifteen-year-old Burmese teen, Chiko, wants to be a teacher, but the government wants him to be a soldier. Forced against his will to join the army, Chiko learns to survive with the help of his street-wise friend, Tai. In the book, Bamboo People, by Mitali Perkins the issues of human rights and prejudices toward minorities are explored in the country of Burma/Myanmar.
Chiko is an intelligent, kind boy whose father, a doctor, has been imprisoned for resisting the government. Tai who befriends Chiko has also benn forced to join the army against his will. Tai has been living on the streets with his sister and knows how to survive against bullies such as those at the military camp. Chiko teaches Tai to read while Tai teaches Chiko how to fight. The two develop such a close bond that they consider each other brothers and are willing to sacrifice their own life for the others.This is part one of the book. In part two, we meet Tu Reh who hates the Burmese for persecuting and killing his people, the Karenni. When Tu Reh finds an injured Chiko he must decide whether he will kill him or help him to live.
The writing in the book has short chapters with terrific descriptions of what it is like living in Burma. The plot is full of tense moments and life-or-death situations. The characters go through internal and external conflicts making it a page turner. The ending did not resolve all the issues and wrapped up too quickly. I thought that Nya Meh had been in contact with Chiko’s dad when they told the story of her being taught medicine by a Burmese doctor when she was captive and when Tu Reh said that the photo of Chiko’s dad looked familiar. Also, the story of how Tai ended up in Yangon should have been explained more. It was glossed over.
Many of the boys are interested in the girls in this story. While nothing happens, Chiko and Tu Reh think a lot about girls and what they like about the the two that have caught their eye. The book is violent with children dying and a bully who is a captain. The recruits handle the bully well and support each other. There is also hints of verbal and physically abuse toward young teenage girls such as when Tai worries about his sister, Auntie Doctor doesn’t want Ree Meh to come with to the clinic because she fears for her safety, and Nya Reh when she was imprisoned by the Burmese. Nothing graphic is explained.
Chiko is an intelligent, kind boy whose father, a doctor, has been imprisoned for resisting the government. Tai who befriends Chiko has also benn forced to join the army against his will. Tai has been living on the streets with his sister and knows how to survive against bullies such as those at the military camp. Chiko teaches Tai to read while Tai teaches Chiko how to fight. The two develop such a close bond that they consider each other brothers and are willing to sacrifice their own life for the others.This is part one of the book. In part two, we meet Tu Reh who hates the Burmese for persecuting and killing his people, the Karenni. When Tu Reh finds an injured Chiko he must decide whether he will kill him or help him to live.
The writing in the book has short chapters with terrific descriptions of what it is like living in Burma. The plot is full of tense moments and life-or-death situations. The characters go through internal and external conflicts making it a page turner. The ending did not resolve all the issues and wrapped up too quickly. I thought that Nya Meh had been in contact with Chiko’s dad when they told the story of her being taught medicine by a Burmese doctor when she was captive and when Tu Reh said that the photo of Chiko’s dad looked familiar. Also, the story of how Tai ended up in Yangon should have been explained more. It was glossed over.
Many of the boys are interested in the girls in this story. While nothing happens, Chiko and Tu Reh think a lot about girls and what they like about the the two that have caught their eye. The book is violent with children dying and a bully who is a captain. The recruits handle the bully well and support each other. There is also hints of verbal and physically abuse toward young teenage girls such as when Tai worries about his sister, Auntie Doctor doesn’t want Ree Meh to come with to the clinic because she fears for her safety, and Nya Reh when she was imprisoned by the Burmese. Nothing graphic is explained.
March 19, 2015
In Bamboo People, Mitali Perkins tells the story from the point of view of two Burmese boys, Chiko, 15 years old, and Tu Reh, 16 years old. The first half of the book, told in Chiko’s first person perspective, follows Chiko as he is answering a want ad and going for an interview to become a teacher. However, he is tricked, captured, and recruited into the Burmese Army to defend against the Karenni tribe. The Karenni tribe is a group of freedom loving rebels who are fighting against the oppression of the Government. This is where the second half of the book picks up and is told from the point of view of a young Karenni tribesman named Tu Reh.
During a military mission, Chiko was badly wounded by a land mine. Tu Reh finds Chiko dying on the ground and Tu Reh’s father urges him to do what is right and endure great dangers to save the dying Burmese soldier. One redeeming quality of this book is that the author uniquely tells the story from two perspectives. By doing this, the reader sympathizes with both protagonists in the book who are on opposing sides. The author also spends much time illustrating the confusion Tu Reh feels with regard to helping Chiko. But Tu Reh preservers and continues to do what is right. The story continues with the development of their friendship through all the hardship. While it is a great story to read to be entertained, at the same time the author educates the reader about the oppressive Burmese government. If I had to improve anything in the book, I would have expanded the ending and tell more about the continuing lives of the two boys. I find myself hoping for a sequel. The main messages of the story are forgiveness, love and friendship.
I rate this book 5/5 stars. I enjoyed reading a different genre than I normally do. I can connect to Tu Reh, struggling with tough decisions, but I cannot connect to what it feels like to be in war. I would recommend this book to males and females ages 13 and up. Younger kids would not enjoy all of the violence in this book. Also many young children probably don’t understand war and they wouldn’t be able to comprehend how that impacts the characters and their decisions. This book moved at a good pace and I always wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Overall, this is a book that I can see myself reading again in the near future.
January 19, 2011
This novel, set in modern day Burma, is about two child soldiers—both from very different backgrounds—who are forced to take part in the military’s action against the Karenni people, an ethnic minority in Burma. The first part of the story, told in first person narrative, tells the tale of Chiko, a boy from an educated middle class background whose father has been imprisoned by the government. Chiko is forced to join the army and train to fight the soldiers of the Karenni resistance. On a mission to spy on the Karenni, Chiko is injured by a mine. In the second half of the novel, we are introduced to a new narrator, Tu Reh, a member of the Karenni tribe, who finds an injured Chiko after the explosion and must decide whether to kill him or to rescue him. The book contrasts the very different worlds each character inhabits and highlights the political struggle of the Burmese people.
Themes addressed in the book are prejudice against ethnic minorities and the difficulty in making courageous decisions that go against these prejudices. There is also a strong theme of Christian forgiveness in the book.
Although I enjoyed this story and appreciated the book’s themes of courage and defying prejudice, I found this one to use stock imagery—the red sun described as “blood” and bamboo hats as “upside down bowls.” Although the characters are teens, they seemed younger, perhaps because the writing is pitched to a younger reader. The character development is decent, but not exceptional.
Themes addressed in the book are prejudice against ethnic minorities and the difficulty in making courageous decisions that go against these prejudices. There is also a strong theme of Christian forgiveness in the book.
Although I enjoyed this story and appreciated the book’s themes of courage and defying prejudice, I found this one to use stock imagery—the red sun described as “blood” and bamboo hats as “upside down bowls.” Although the characters are teens, they seemed younger, perhaps because the writing is pitched to a younger reader. The character development is decent, but not exceptional.
February 16, 2011
Fabulous! Read it in one day. So eye opening, such a gripping story, and definitely not just for kids. I volunteer with refugees, and this just gave me so much more insight into what some of them and their parents have gone through. In addition to teaching me a lot, it's also just a good story, with believable, smart characters and great descriptions.
June 15, 2020
This book shows the true cruelty during the old times in Burma(Myanmar). This book consists of two storylines about two teenagers from two opposing power. Their story somehow joined together and they developed a deep friendship when they stayed together for quite some time. This book also shows the poor and corrupted life in Burma.
April 13, 2012
A really interesting story narrated by two young boys from both sides of the conflict in Burma (Myanmar).
December 10, 2018
3 1/2 stars
This book was good in terms of it shedding light on Burmese issues, the effects of war, child soldiers, ethnic divisions, etc. With those issues being presented I expected to feel more, but due to the writing style and narration I felt disconnected with the characters. It felt like Perkins was doing more telling than showing. There were some areas that were glazed over and implied, but overall it was a lot of telling. I'm not sure what age group this book is intended for, but it certainly felt like it was for a much younger audience even though the topics were heavy. Overall, it was good book though and I would recommend it as teaching tool.
This book was good in terms of it shedding light on Burmese issues, the effects of war, child soldiers, ethnic divisions, etc. With those issues being presented I expected to feel more, but due to the writing style and narration I felt disconnected with the characters. It felt like Perkins was doing more telling than showing. There were some areas that were glazed over and implied, but overall it was a lot of telling. I'm not sure what age group this book is intended for, but it certainly felt like it was for a much younger audience even though the topics were heavy. Overall, it was good book though and I would recommend it as teaching tool.
December 16, 2020
Bamboo People Book Review
(Spoiler Alert) Imagine being kidnapped and taken away from your family by your own country to become a soldier at the age of 15. It would be scary, traumatic, and life changing. Well that is exactly what happens in Bamboo People.
Chiko is a skinny, poor kid from Burma Myanmar Southeast Asia who wasn’t able to go to school, but was fortunate enough to learn to read and write from his educated father who loved him very much. Sadly, the day the soldiers came and took Chiko’s father, he and his mother faced an even more difficult reality. They didn't know where he was, or even if he was still alive. But they were expected to send money for his meals each day. This was a severe hardship for them because they had no money to feed themselves.
Chiko dreamed of becoming a teacher, and he was willing to do anything to accomplish that. One day, he saw an ad in the newspaper for a position to teach. He realized it was a trick, but it was too late. The same tribe of soldiers that had kidnapped his father also kidnapped Chiko. The events that unfold have him escaping one perilous event after another. He's kidnapped, he's beaten, and he's tormented mentally, physically, and emotionally over and over again. And then he has to witness his friends being treated in the same way. Eventually some of those friends are taken away and Chiko gets accused of being a spy, which leads to more beatings. “Tell them what you told me about your father being in prison and how they forced you into the army. Your life depends on convincing them that you’re not a spy. Can you do it Chiko?” asks his friend. (Mitali Perkins Pg. 208).
Although being in the military was hard for Chiko, he learned that he can do hard things. He learned that he was stronger than he ever thought possible, both physically and mentally. And that strength came from the motivation he felt because he loved his mother. He wanted to make her life better with the money he received from being a soldier. In the end, Chiko is reunited with his dad.
This book was jammed packed with action, suspense, and it kept my interest. All-in-all it was AMAZING!!! I would highly recommend it.
(Spoiler Alert) Imagine being kidnapped and taken away from your family by your own country to become a soldier at the age of 15. It would be scary, traumatic, and life changing. Well that is exactly what happens in Bamboo People.
Chiko is a skinny, poor kid from Burma Myanmar Southeast Asia who wasn’t able to go to school, but was fortunate enough to learn to read and write from his educated father who loved him very much. Sadly, the day the soldiers came and took Chiko’s father, he and his mother faced an even more difficult reality. They didn't know where he was, or even if he was still alive. But they were expected to send money for his meals each day. This was a severe hardship for them because they had no money to feed themselves.
Chiko dreamed of becoming a teacher, and he was willing to do anything to accomplish that. One day, he saw an ad in the newspaper for a position to teach. He realized it was a trick, but it was too late. The same tribe of soldiers that had kidnapped his father also kidnapped Chiko. The events that unfold have him escaping one perilous event after another. He's kidnapped, he's beaten, and he's tormented mentally, physically, and emotionally over and over again. And then he has to witness his friends being treated in the same way. Eventually some of those friends are taken away and Chiko gets accused of being a spy, which leads to more beatings. “Tell them what you told me about your father being in prison and how they forced you into the army. Your life depends on convincing them that you’re not a spy. Can you do it Chiko?” asks his friend. (Mitali Perkins Pg. 208).
Although being in the military was hard for Chiko, he learned that he can do hard things. He learned that he was stronger than he ever thought possible, both physically and mentally. And that strength came from the motivation he felt because he loved his mother. He wanted to make her life better with the money he received from being a soldier. In the end, Chiko is reunited with his dad.
This book was jammed packed with action, suspense, and it kept my interest. All-in-all it was AMAZING!!! I would highly recommend it.
December 22, 2014
"Bamboo People" by Mitali Perkins is a wonderful novel about how to boys changed each other's lives when they meet. It starts out with Chiko, one of the main characters, looking at a poster that is asking for teachers. He manages to convince his mom to let him go to apply. When he arrived at the city hall, he noticed that there were some kids that didn't look like they could be teachers. While he was waiting soldiers came rushing in and took the boys from the group of kids and took them to a camp. When Chiko arrived at the camp he met a boy named Tai that helped him survive the camp. After a few months at camp, Chiko was selected to be a mine clearer for a group of soldiers headed to destroy a healer's hut. When they found the path leading to the hut, Chiko went first to search for a safe pay through. While he was searching, Chiko accidentally stepped on a makeshift mine and had his leg blown off. Nearby, Tu Reh, the other main character, and his father's group heard the explosion and decided to search for survivors. They found Chiko unconscious with his leg missing and wondered what to do with him. Tu Reh said that they should kill him, but his dad told him he doesn't want to have one use and told Tu Reh to decide whether to let Chiko live or die. Tu Reh decided to take Chiko to the healer's hut and get him properly bandaged. After Chiko was bandaged, Tu Reh to,d the healer and her family that they should go to his camp because it wasn't safe in their hit. When they arrived at Tu Reh's camp, they took Chilo to the doctor and got his leg disinfected and bandaged. When the village council heard what Tu Reh did, they decided to have a meeting to decide if Chiko was a spy and what to do with him. Luckily for Chiko, Tu Reh, the healer, and the village doctor managed to convince everyone in the meeting that Chiko wasn't a spy and that the doctor should take Chiko to the next camp to get a prosthetic leg. In the end, Tu Reh lent his pack mule to the doctor and Chiko arrived home with a prosthetic leg and good news about his father.
November 9, 2021
Bamboo People is a realistic fiction about an unlikely friendship between two enemies. It takes place in 1988 in a country called Burma. I rate this book 5 stars because it was written in an interesting way and makes you want to read more. For instance, the two points of view the author uses. For the first half of the book it was from a Burmese boy's point of view then for the second half of the book it was from a Karenni boy's point of view. Also, it was very interesting to see their story collide even though their people were at war. Their story collides when Tu Reh (the Karenni boy) finds Chiko (the Burmese boy) injured and takes pity on him. From there the friendship transpired. Even though the Burmese burnt down Tu Reh's village and he wanted revenge when he saved Chiko, Tu Reh showed that not everyone should be punished for other people's actions. Tu Reh showed a great deal of compassion towards an enemy, illustrating that war is complicated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2011
Fifteen year old Chiko is tricked into joining the Burmese army. Tu Reh is a Karenni boy, trapped between wanting to fight the soldiers that destroyed his home and wanting to promote peace as his religious teachings dictate. In the middle of the Burmese jungle, these two boys will meet and neither will ever be the same.
While I appreciate that this is a book that will help raise the consciousness of readers, it just wasn't my cup of tea. There was a lot of talking and not as much action as I expected a book about child soldiers to have. I also found it hard to keep all the characters straight in the second part of the book (there were a lot of them and they all had similar names). That said, many people I respect have loved this book, so I think it's just a case of it not being the right book for me. :)
While I appreciate that this is a book that will help raise the consciousness of readers, it just wasn't my cup of tea. There was a lot of talking and not as much action as I expected a book about child soldiers to have. I also found it hard to keep all the characters straight in the second part of the book (there were a lot of them and they all had similar names). That said, many people I respect have loved this book, so I think it's just a case of it not being the right book for me. :)
February 28, 2012
Set against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma, Bamboo People explores the power of courage and compassion to overcome violence and prejudice. Chiko, a 16 year old Burmese boy, is an educated teenager who would much rather fight than study when he is abducted and turned into a fighter for the Burmese army against the tribal peoples they are trying to eradicate. Out on a mission with four other young men, he encounters ToReh a 16 year old Karenni refugee who is fighting with his tribal people. An unlikely encounter leads to a friendship that will force each of them to confront what it means to be a "man of his people".
This book would be a great read for young people to help them gain perspective on the civil wars that are being fought around the world.
This book would be a great read for young people to help them gain perspective on the civil wars that are being fought around the world.
August 19, 2010
Bamboo People is a beautifully written story which provides insightful, first-hand viewpoints of the conflict in Burma through the perspectives of two boys, Chiko and Tu Reh. When the two boys’ lives intersect, they realize that despite their different backgrounds and experiences, they are not so different after all. The emotions in this book are palpable, and the hardships that both boys endure are real and haunting. Mitali Perkins does a masterful job of illustrating the heart-wrenching horrors of the conflict in Burma while keeping the story engaging, hopeful, inspiring, and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it!
September 3, 2011
The freshman team at my school choose this 2010 book as the summer assignment for the incoming class. We like the themes of the book: child soldiers, landmines, and coming of age in a developing country with a military dictatorship in power. During the first week of school, we will be connecting our lessons to the book, as well as following up on assignments the students will be completing over the summer.
As this book was written for young adults, more advanced readers may find parts of the book tedious, but the plot is engaging. The supplemental readings at the end will spark curiousity about world events in Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar).
As this book was written for young adults, more advanced readers may find parts of the book tedious, but the plot is engaging. The supplemental readings at the end will spark curiousity about world events in Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar).
October 3, 2011
I was interested in this for the subject matter and for paying attention to the nuts and bolts of how Mitali Perkins introduced cultural elements and wove together the stories of her two protagonists--Chiko, a Burmese boy from Yangon who's dragooned into the army against his will, and Tu Reh, a Karenni boy living in a refugee camp near the Thai border.
I liked all the characters, both the main ones and the supporting ones, very much, and I felt the emotional growth of both boys was believable and moving. There's a bit of a Christian thread in the book, but since many Karenni are converts to Christianity, this isn't out of place. I didn't find it intrusive.
I liked all the characters, both the main ones and the supporting ones, very much, and I felt the emotional growth of both boys was believable and moving. There's a bit of a Christian thread in the book, but since many Karenni are converts to Christianity, this isn't out of place. I didn't find it intrusive.
September 1, 2021
Even though this book is over a decade old, the tribal clashes are just as bad if not worse in modern day Myanmar. Having personally interacted with refugees from several different ethnic groups from Myanmar, this book made me understand even more just how hard day to day decisions and basic living is there. This is definitely a must read for anyone seeking to understand the ongoing crisis. Perkins did a great job weaving together two opposing storylines of main characters and their eventual reconciliation in the face of rejection or worse from their families and country. I would have loved to keep reading if Perkins wrote sequels or more on the topic.
December 15, 2021
This book was amazingly immersive. It kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. The way the author wrote the story feels so realistic and makes the story feel alive(?). The book demonstrates the dire situation of the civil war in Myanmar/Burma, and all the hardships the people there have to face every day. Chiko is a Burmese boy who wants to get a job as a teacher so he can take care of his mom and his father, who is in prison for aiding the “enemy”. But for one reason or another, he ends up being a soldier. Overall the story was fascinating and I found it to be an enjoyable read.
January 19, 2011
A great novel that touches both heart and head. I really liked the fact that we root for both narrators though they are on opposite sides of a war. It really helps to show how the dehumanization of the enemy in a war is wrong. While some of the secondary characters see these kids as just "the enemy," we know they've got hopes and dreams and a crush on the girl next door.
A quick and enjoyable read that kept me thinking long after I finished it.
A quick and enjoyable read that kept me thinking long after I finished it.
December 19, 2014
I think this book is good because it's an entertaining story. My summary is about 2 kids and it's taking place in Burma its about 2 kids that doesn't really like each other but in the end becomes good friends. One of the kid is Chiko and he was forced to join the army and he volunteers to go on a special mission. The other kid is Tu Reh who is going into the jungle to find some of his people because they need supplies.
August 27, 2010
Mitali Perkins has written yet another excellent book. The character development was well done. The book did a great job of making me feel like I was in the Burma jungles (but fortunately I was safe at home!). It was so hard to put this book down. The ending was particularly good. Often times book endings disappoint me, but this one did not disappoint me at all!
February 13, 2021
I think this is a great book. I got it from the library and for some time this year, I wasn't reading much because I was focused on many other things but after reading this book, it motivated me in many ways. It's a great novel about two different sides and I feel bad about Chiko's leg at the end of the book.
May 5, 2021
The situation in Myanmar (Burma) is getting worse there now and reading this book made me sad because of what was happening there. I loved both the main characters and was so satisfied with the ending i literally was jumping. I love the writing and the pacing is very good. I think this book needs to be more known.
June 28, 2022
Heartfelt story focused on individuals involved in a tragic conflict.
Before reading, it is helpful to have some knowledge of the history and recent events in Myanmar.
One of the book's core themes:
Matthew 5:43-47
Before reading, it is helpful to have some knowledge of the history and recent events in Myanmar.
One of the book's core themes:
Matthew 5:43-47
February 13, 2020
I really like fiction set in real circumstances and this is very well written and researched. More than a story about 2 boys on opposite sides of the Burmese conflict, a tale that draws you in and teaches you about the lives, the cultures, the dreams of the people.
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