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mokey81's review against another edition
3.0
This book has some wonderful writing and beautiful moments. I’m glad I stumbled across it. In Vietnam, a sister gives her brother to an American to keep him safe from the war and she spends all her time trying to get back to him. By the time she finds him in America, he is adopted and has forgotten her and their family. She teams up with a wannabe cowboy to try and connect with her brother. It was sweet.
tessamaggie's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first book I picked up just at my library randomly and something about it intrigued me but idk why or what. Anyways literal bomb. This book was so simple yet deep and I loved it sm
chandaferguson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres to read because I love the balance of
education versus inspiration and engagement that the author has to cultivate in their work. While
I have read many novels within this genre, YA historical fiction is one that I’ve only been
reading for a couple of years as the genre didn’t spark my interest as a young adult reader myself.
Discovering newly released YA fiction novels has also inspired me to backtrack and read other
publications from the recent past that I missed, and “Butterfly Yellow” was one of those titles.
Published in 2019, “Butterfly Yellow” is a 320 page novel that tells the story of a young
Vietnamese girl, Hằng, in search of her brother.
After already enduring a treacherous journey from Việt Nam to Texas, Hằng is
determined to right the mistakes of her past and to make true her heart’s desires. What surprised
me the most about this story was that Hằng’s past and journey is mostly alluded to, whereas her
present and the current relationships she’s making, the identity development taking place within
her, and the passions and drive that motivate her daily are more of a focus of the story, allowing
for these things to imbed themselves in the plot and main idea, despite this story being so much
larger than that as well. It makes historical fiction approachable, as Hằng is a character who
grows, who employs comedic relief at opportune moments, and whose innocence and purity of
heart inspires readers. The unlikely friendship that blooms between Hằng and LeeRoy is sweet
and truly a large aspect of what makes this such a likable story as well.Ferguson 2
In my opinion, this is a great introduction to historical fiction and realistic fiction for YA
readers, and I believe that many readers would greatly enjoy the emotional impact and subtle
depth of this novel, as well as its lyrical style and cultural moments. However, as an avid reader
of many historical fiction novels, this is not a book that has had a great impact on me. Thus I do
believe there are better historical fiction recommendations to really entice readers into reading in
general, as well as specifically reading this genre. I recommend this for readers looking for a
light introduction to the genre or readers who are interested specifically in the culture and history
present in this knowledge, but if a reader is looking at an impactful historical fiction novel to
stand out amongst the many and leave a deep, lasting impact, this is not one that I would
recommend.
I found myself enjoying the novel, and overall, I truly do think it was successful in its
endeavor, but I feel as though the contrast and development of the relationship between LeeRoy
and Hằng was distracting at times to the historical context that was also such a forward part of
the novel. While it did add depth and a realistic example of growing empathy to the novel, I felt
as though Hằng’s story and experience was overshadowed at times by the other elements of the
plot, thus making the overall and conclusive impact of the novel leaving me wanting more.
education versus inspiration and engagement that the author has to cultivate in their work. While
I have read many novels within this genre, YA historical fiction is one that I’ve only been
reading for a couple of years as the genre didn’t spark my interest as a young adult reader myself.
Discovering newly released YA fiction novels has also inspired me to backtrack and read other
publications from the recent past that I missed, and “Butterfly Yellow” was one of those titles.
Published in 2019, “Butterfly Yellow” is a 320 page novel that tells the story of a young
Vietnamese girl, Hằng, in search of her brother.
After already enduring a treacherous journey from Việt Nam to Texas, Hằng is
determined to right the mistakes of her past and to make true her heart’s desires. What surprised
me the most about this story was that Hằng’s past and journey is mostly alluded to, whereas her
present and the current relationships she’s making, the identity development taking place within
her, and the passions and drive that motivate her daily are more of a focus of the story, allowing
for these things to imbed themselves in the plot and main idea, despite this story being so much
larger than that as well. It makes historical fiction approachable, as Hằng is a character who
grows, who employs comedic relief at opportune moments, and whose innocence and purity of
heart inspires readers. The unlikely friendship that blooms between Hằng and LeeRoy is sweet
and truly a large aspect of what makes this such a likable story as well.Ferguson 2
In my opinion, this is a great introduction to historical fiction and realistic fiction for YA
readers, and I believe that many readers would greatly enjoy the emotional impact and subtle
depth of this novel, as well as its lyrical style and cultural moments. However, as an avid reader
of many historical fiction novels, this is not a book that has had a great impact on me. Thus I do
believe there are better historical fiction recommendations to really entice readers into reading in
general, as well as specifically reading this genre. I recommend this for readers looking for a
light introduction to the genre or readers who are interested specifically in the culture and history
present in this knowledge, but if a reader is looking at an impactful historical fiction novel to
stand out amongst the many and leave a deep, lasting impact, this is not one that I would
recommend.
I found myself enjoying the novel, and overall, I truly do think it was successful in its
endeavor, but I feel as though the contrast and development of the relationship between LeeRoy
and Hằng was distracting at times to the historical context that was also such a forward part of
the novel. While it did add depth and a realistic example of growing empathy to the novel, I felt
as though Hằng’s story and experience was overshadowed at times by the other elements of the
plot, thus making the overall and conclusive impact of the novel leaving me wanting more.
lottielin's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so sweet and told such a touching story!
juanitamfm's review against another edition
5.0
I finished “Butterfly Yellow” by Thanhha Lai this weekend. I had read “Inside Out and Back Again” with my 5th grade class for years and then I found this in the library and decided to check it out because I’m working on reading more diverse books from diverse authors. It definitely did NOT disappoint. Where the other book is more geared for younger students this one is definitely for older kids. It tells the story of an 18 year old girl and there is definitely more pain and sorrow written in this book. It was a great read!
pixie_hallows's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ezra1208's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
frostlywild17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
Hang and LeeRoy make for the perfect “meet cute” and their slow romance is a wonder to observe. Hang’s escape from Vietnam is brutal and heartbreaking but she is singularly determined to reunite with her brother Lihn. Ling, now David, has absolutely no memories of his older sister and six years in the United States has turned him all-American. He resists every kindness and conversation Hang offers but with LeeRoy’s translations and guidance, the siblings are able to find a new way to be a family.
Grades 9 and up.
Grades 9 and up.