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smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A great #ownvoices YA story about Vietnamese siblings separated during the Vietnam war and trying to reunite after they immigrate to the United States. I loved how Hang was so into and good at Rap/spoken word poetry and my heart broke for her when she had to leave her brother behind as she was given passage to America. Her struggle to find and reunite with her brother in America was highly compelling and this is definitely one I will happily recommend! For fans of Elizabeth Acevado and Cookie Hiponia Everman.
dianna_gg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kdurham2's review
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
I love to read out of my usual genres every so often to stretch my reading muscles and this one was out of my usual and I enjoyed it.
Hang can't forget that day 6 years ago when her brother and herself were bound a journey and instead they were separated and she has spent 6 years trying to figure out how to get him back. Finally she is on a journey herself and hopes to reconnect with him and restart the relationship that they had, but her hopes may be misplaced and she may have to find a new normal.
I love to read out of my usual genres every so often to stretch my reading muscles and this one was out of my usual and I enjoyed it.
Hang can't forget that day 6 years ago when her brother and herself were bound a journey and instead they were separated and she has spent 6 years trying to figure out how to get him back. Finally she is on a journey herself and hopes to reconnect with him and restart the relationship that they had, but her hopes may be misplaced and she may have to find a new normal.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
This, like all of Thanhha Lai's work, is excellent. It is historical fiction set in 1981 and follows a Vietnamese teen who has suffered a terrifying journey to America to find her younger brother who was taken from Vietnam as an orphan in the last wave of civilians leaving before the South fell. Along the way she employs the help of a wannabe rodeo cowboy fresh from high school graduation with a brand new truck and a dream. This is a wonderful tale about found family that covers a parts of the history Vietnam and America we often forget about, including that young Vietnamese people were risking their lives to make their way to refugee camps long after the war ended. Many of them paid until costs for this.
reneesmith's review against another edition
4.0
Humorous & touching. LeeRoy and Hang become friends--and then more than friends--as LeeRoy helps Hang connect to a long-lost brother. Hang is inspirational in her ability to overcome the inner and outer scars from her hard life in Vietnam and perilous journey to reach America. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.
shanemarie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
stralins's review
3.0
an important story to tell, with some wonderful language, but not as engaging as i thought it could be
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
I'm going to log this as read since I stopped reading about thirty pages from the end.
The story focuses on Hang who has fled Viet Nam following the Viet Nam war. Prior to leaving, she takes her brother Linh to the airport and hands him off to a rescue worker. Her family believes Linh has been kidnapped, so Hang's Ba works to get the family to America to be reunited with Linh.
My interest in the book has to do with the historical aspects of it. I am always interested in learning about different cultures’ assimilation into America. I like the history of Viet Nam prior to the war and the experiences of fleeing the country. This is heartbreaking, but brings the characters alive.
I feel like the story takes a turn when they introduce LeeRoy - a wanna be cowboy that takes Hang under his wing when he is tasked with delivering her to where she believes her brother lives. This portion of the story drags on and doesn't add much to the development of Hang's character.
I read ahead most of the book, but the direction it went it didn't make sense to me any longer. I'm glad I picked it up and I'm glad I learned a new aspect of the perils of making it to America.
The story focuses on Hang who has fled Viet Nam following the Viet Nam war. Prior to leaving, she takes her brother Linh to the airport and hands him off to a rescue worker. Her family believes Linh has been kidnapped, so Hang's Ba works to get the family to America to be reunited with Linh.
My interest in the book has to do with the historical aspects of it. I am always interested in learning about different cultures’ assimilation into America. I like the history of Viet Nam prior to the war and the experiences of fleeing the country. This is heartbreaking, but brings the characters alive.
I feel like the story takes a turn when they introduce LeeRoy - a wanna be cowboy that takes Hang under his wing when he is tasked with delivering her to where she believes her brother lives. This portion of the story drags on and doesn't add much to the development of Hang's character.
I read ahead most of the book, but the direction it went it didn't make sense to me any longer. I'm glad I picked it up and I'm glad I learned a new aspect of the perils of making it to America.
zbrarian's review
4.0
A beautiful story about a girls journey from Vietnam to West Texas, trying to find her brother while at the same time trying to find a way to communicate with those around her. It’s also the story of a boy who wants to be one thing and discovers that he something totally different. Very well written, interesting to see all the different ways words are used in the Vietnamese language. Makes me want to go on Duolingo and learn how to speak it!