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alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
I read this right after Solis' Lotus Eaters. Picks up where that one left off, only from a Vietnamese child's point of view and in verse. Full arc. Got where it needed to go.
gracepizza40's review
5.0
There are many Pink Boys at my school. It's concerning to have these kinds of people in our next generation. They might evolve, but why do they have to permanently disturb others' experiences before?
dawsonscreek's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Racism
joana_stormblessed's review
4.0
Summary:
This is the story about Ha, who lives with her mother and three brothers in Vietnam (during the war). Eventually they end up leaving to flee to America.
This story is written in verse, so it is definitely a very quick read. It is separated in three different stages: in Vietnam, on the ship, in the USA. You follow her hardships to get used to a new world, where people mock her accent, her face, and everything that makes her who she is. You also get introduced to the characters that help her in this transition of life.
Opinion:
I really enjoyed this story. I liked how honest it was, and how the author describes certain elements of Ha's life (which are strongly inspired on her own life). The writing was beautiful and the story was gripping. I tend to have a hard time with poetry, because I have a hard time piecing it together as a story, but this book flowed really well, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is the story about Ha, who lives with her mother and three brothers in Vietnam (during the war). Eventually they end up leaving to flee to America.
This story is written in verse, so it is definitely a very quick read. It is separated in three different stages: in Vietnam, on the ship, in the USA. You follow her hardships to get used to a new world, where people mock her accent, her face, and everything that makes her who she is. You also get introduced to the characters that help her in this transition of life.
Opinion:
I really enjoyed this story. I liked how honest it was, and how the author describes certain elements of Ha's life (which are strongly inspired on her own life). The writing was beautiful and the story was gripping. I tend to have a hard time with poetry, because I have a hard time piecing it together as a story, but this book flowed really well, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
leeeeeds's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Beautiful just beautiful. Am I still crying? I received the sequel to this book as a gift from my sister. Upon realizing it had a first part I ordered this book immediately. I love the idea of this being written in verse. The last time I read a children’s book in verse was Out of the Dust, a book I enjoyed very much. Something about verse makes feelings and emotions just jump right off the page. Now, I felt for Hà, I wasn’t bullied as much as a kid but I felt the struggles of learning English as a second language, and just being a child in a new country with new customs. I would have been elated to have read this book as a child. I hardly ever read stories about kids like me, let alone any Vietnamese ones. So important to keep circulating these kinds of stories and elevating BIPOC authors. I’m an adult and often I read kids books as I hope to one day write some of my own. This book was exemplary and truly deserving of its accolades.
kelanikay's review
funny
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
whatamidoing_rn's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
We read an excerpt of this for English so I decided to read the whole book since it’s a quick read and I’m in a slump. It was pretty good but the plot was kinda eh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and War
book_concierge's review
5.0
Audiobook performed by Doan Ly
Ha is the 10-year-old daughter of a Vietnamese Navy Officer who has gone missing while on a mission. As the Americans pull out of the war and Saigon is about to fall, Ha and her family escape the country via ship. Eventually they gain a sponsor, and the family tries to start over in the USA, a strange land, where the language, food, customs and religion are all different than what they are used to.
This middle-grade novel focusing on the immigrant experience is told entirely in verse, and I applaud Lai for how much she manages to convey in so few words. Ha is a strong little girl, focusing on becoming a star pupil at school (as she had done in Saigon), trying to make friends, to learn the customs and traditions of American celebrations like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, trying to NOT get beaten by bullies. Ha watches her mother work a menial job and slowly acknowledge that her husband is likely dead. In one heart-wrenching poem the child admits:
No one would believe me
but at times
I would choose
wartime in Saigon
over
peacetime in Alabama
Still the family perseveres, and makes their way in this new land, celebrating each accomplishment, and giving thanks for the opportunity to succeed. It’s a moving story and wonderfully told. It is at once complex and straightforward, nuanced, and simple.
The author note at the end of the work explains that much of what happens to Ha in the novel actually happened to the author.
The book won the National Book Award, and was also named a Newbery Honor Book.
The audiobook is performed by Doan Ly. She has a wonderful delivery for this book. Great pace and she’s believable as a young girl. I did read at least half the book in text format, however because I was anxious to finish it.
Ha is the 10-year-old daughter of a Vietnamese Navy Officer who has gone missing while on a mission. As the Americans pull out of the war and Saigon is about to fall, Ha and her family escape the country via ship. Eventually they gain a sponsor, and the family tries to start over in the USA, a strange land, where the language, food, customs and religion are all different than what they are used to.
This middle-grade novel focusing on the immigrant experience is told entirely in verse, and I applaud Lai for how much she manages to convey in so few words. Ha is a strong little girl, focusing on becoming a star pupil at school (as she had done in Saigon), trying to make friends, to learn the customs and traditions of American celebrations like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, trying to NOT get beaten by bullies. Ha watches her mother work a menial job and slowly acknowledge that her husband is likely dead. In one heart-wrenching poem the child admits:
No one would believe me
but at times
I would choose
wartime in Saigon
over
peacetime in Alabama
Still the family perseveres, and makes their way in this new land, celebrating each accomplishment, and giving thanks for the opportunity to succeed. It’s a moving story and wonderfully told. It is at once complex and straightforward, nuanced, and simple.
The author note at the end of the work explains that much of what happens to Ha in the novel actually happened to the author.
The book won the National Book Award, and was also named a Newbery Honor Book.
The audiobook is performed by Doan Ly. She has a wonderful delivery for this book. Great pace and she’s believable as a young girl. I did read at least half the book in text format, however because I was anxious to finish it.
mirror's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
gmamartha's review
3.0
Immigration from Vietnam with the emotions as well as the events. I applaud anyone who has ever "started over" in a new place, language, friends, family.