Realistic fiction

Biography

Poetry

Fantasy

NOTE: Titles added Winter 2008/2009 are printed in BLUE.

Realistic fiction

Garland, S. (1997). The lotus seed. Illustrated by T. Kiuchi. New York: Voyager. (K-4)

Throughout her life, Grandmother has carried with her as a talisman a lotus seed plucked from a pod in the Vietnamese imperial garden. When her grandson buries the seed, a beautiful pink blossom appears in the garden -- a reminder that this symbol of her homeland will bloom wherever it is planted. The hazy, soft-hued oil paintings, enclosed within ample borders, possess a quiet, timeless quality in keeping with the text. (Horn Book, 1993)

Gilson, J. (1992). Hello, my name is Scrambled Eggs. Illustrated by J. Wallner. New York: Pocket Books. (4-6)

When his folks host a Vietnamese family that has come to settle in their town, Harvey enjoys Americanizing twelve-year-old Tuan. (amazon.com)

Marsden. C. & Niem, T. P. (2008). The Buddha’s diamonds. Candlewick. (3-5)

Every day, Tinh heads out to sea with his father to catch fish for their family and the market. While he sometimes misses flying kites with other children on the beach, Tinh is proud to work alongside Ba. Then a fierce storm strikes, and Ba entrusts Tinh to secure the family vessel, but the boy panics and runs away. It will take courage and faith to salvage the bamboo boat, win back Ba’s confidence, and return to sea. This graceful tale narrates a young Vietnamese boy’s literal and spiritual coming-of-age. (amazon.com)

Marsden, C. (2007). When heaven fell. Candlewick. (4-6)

Binh, a nine-year-old Vietnamese girl, is surprised to learn that her grandmother once had a child with an American soldier. Sent to America for adoption at the end of the war, Thao is now coming for a visit. Binh and her family look forward to meeting the child, some with curiosity about American ways and others with hope that Thao will give them money or even take them to America. The visit brings cultural differences into sharp contrast, but Binh is able to help her aunt understand her family’s ways. The author of The Gold-Threaded Dress (2002) and Silk Umbrellas (2004), Marsden sensitively portrays expectations and disappointments on both sides, but the main focus is on Binh’s thoughts and emotions. Readers will make frequent use of the appended glossary, as Marsden uses Vietnamese words to define family relationships such as di hai (eldest aunt) as well as terms such as bui doi (derogatory term for a person of "mixed blood”). An unusually accessible introduction to the culture of modern Vietnam. (Booklist)

McKay, L. (2000). Journey home. Illustrated by D. & K. Lee. New York: Lee & Low. (2-5)

Ten-year-old biracial Mai is excited and nervous about traveling to Vietnam. Her mom wants to find her birth family who gave her up for adoption during the war, and Mai wants to help. In Vietnam, they visit orphanages and records departments, turning up nothing. Eventually, through an old photograph, they track down an old man who tells them the surprising story of what happened to her family. (amazon.com)

Surat, M. M. (1989). Angel child, dragon child. Illustrated by V. Mai. New York: Scholastic Trade. (4-6)

A young Vietnamese girl has just come to the United States and is teased by her classmates for her accent, name, and differences. Upon learning that her mother had been left in Vietnam for lack of money, the class sponsors a Vietnamese fair to raise money for the trip. Told by a teacher who has truly witnessed this scenario, this touching story would inspire all to become educated about others with differences. (Asia for Kids 2000-2001 Educational Catalog, p. 34)

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Non-fiction

Bartlett, T. (2001). When you were born in Vietnam: A memory book for children adopted from Vietnam. Photographs by W. Bartlett. Yeong & Yeong Book Company. (1-3)

No synopsis available.

Benoit, S. (1997). I am Vietnamese American (Our American Family Series). New York: Rosen. (1-4)

A Vietnamese American discusses his traditions, heritage, culture, and pride in his identity. (Borders.com)

Hoyt-Goldsmith, D. (1992). Hoang Anh: A Vietnamese-American boy. Photographs by L. Migdale. New York: Holiday. (4-6)

In a photographic study of the immigrant experience in action today, a Vietnamese-American boy explains how he successfully lives astride two cultures, American and Vietnamese. (amazon.com)

Kalman, B. (1996). Vietnam: The culture. New York: Crabtree. (4-6)

This colorful book celebrates the festivals that honor Vietnamese beliefs as well as their stories about heroes and legends, their theater and music. (amazon.com)

Kalman, B. (1996). Vietnam: The land. New York: Crabtree. (4-6)

This book presents the dynamic land of Vietnam - its modern cities and rural villages, its geographic regions, climate and turbulent history. (amazon.com)

Kalman, B. (1996). Vietnam: The people. New York: Crabtree. (4-6)

Looks at the way of life of Vietnamese people, including work, pastimes, families, city and country life, language, and education. (amazon.com)

Kilborne, S. S. (1999). Leaving Vietnam: The journey of Tuan Ngo, a boat boy. Illustrated by M. Sweet. New York: Simon & Schuster. (1-4)

In the middle of the night, Tuan Ngo and his father fled their home in war-torn Vietnam. But slipping away on a tiny boat was only the beginning of this young boy’s long journey to freedom. Leaving Vietnam is the true story of Tuan’s escape, a first-person telling of his experience as a boat boy and refugee. (amazon.com)

Lorbiecki, M. (1997). Children of Vietnam. Photographs by Paul P. Rome. Carolrhoda Books. (4-6)

Introduces the history, geography, and culture of Vietnam through the daily lives of children who live there. (card catalog)

Ng, Y. & Condra-Peters. (2002). Welcome to Vietnam. Gareth Stevens. (2-4))

An introduction to the geography, history, government, economy, people, and culture of Vietnam.

O”Connor, K. (1992). Dan Thuy’s new life in America. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner. (4-6)

Black-and-white photographs document the journey as thirteen-year-old Dan Thuy Huynh and her family move from their home in Vietnam to a refugee camp in Thailand and then to their present home in San Diego, California. A discussion of the factors causing refugees to flee Vietnam and details about immigration procedures provide a vivid background to Dan Thuy’s adjustment to life in the United States. Balanced, straightforward, and informative. (Horn Book, 1993)

Schmidt, J. & Wood, T. (1995). Two lands, one heart: An American boy’s journey to his mother’s Vietnam. New York: Walker. (4-6)

In 1975 TJ’s mother was only a child when she escaped war-torn Vietnam and came to America. Almost 20 years later, she took her eldest son back to meet the family he had never known and to experience firsthand the country and the culture she left behind. (amazon.com)

Scoones, S. (1998). A family from Vietnam. Austin, TX: Raintree/Steck Vaughn. (1-3)

Describes the activities of a family of five living in a small village in the north of Vietnam and provides information about their daily life and customs. (amazon.com)

Seah, A. (1996). Vietnam (Cultures of the world). New York: Marshall Cavendish. (4-6)

No synopsis available.

Shea, P. D. & Weill, C. (2003). Ten mice for Tet! Illustrated by T. N. Trang. Chronicle Books. (K-2)

It’s time for Tet! This vibrant, unique counting book introduces children to the rich traditions of the Vietnamese New Year. A playful village of mice lead young readers through the joyful celebration, as exquisitely embroidered illustrations recreate ten scenes of preparation, gift giving, feasting, and firework displays. With simple text followed by an informative afterword, Ten Mice for Tet is a joyful tribute to a special holiday. (amazon.com)

Warren, A. (2004). Escape from Vietnam: How a Vietnam war orphan became an American boy. Kroupa/Farrar. (5-9)

At the end of the Vietnam War, eight-year-old Amerasian orphan named Long fled his country and found a loving home with his adoptive family in Ohio. With a new name, Matt Steiner, he grew up to be high-school valedictorian and athletic star, and now he is a doctor with his own happy family. But this stirring photo-essay is more than a rags-to-riches story. Always true to the child’s viewpoint, Warren’s clear narrative, with many documentary photos, begins as the boy struggles to survive in Vietnam, then describes the anguish of his abandonment by a loving grandmother no longer able to care for him; the kindness of rescuers at the orphanage, who arranged his adoption; and his terrifying evacuation on a plane under fire. The child-at-war story and the facts about the Operation Babylift rescue are tense and exciting. Just as gripping is the boy’s personal conflict: his struggle to become American; his attempt to deny his sadness at what he left behind; and, finally, his pride in his roots ("I will never forget that my American heart is half Vietnamese”). Framing the biography is fascinating information, including Warren’s account of the evacuation of her own adopted baby daughter on Operation Babylift; discussion about international adoption and Amerasian children; and a lengthy annotated list of sources. (Booklist)

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Traditional

Cleveland, R. (2006). How tiger got his stripes: A folktale from Vietnam. August House. (K-2)

Many years ago, the proudest animal in the jungle was not the peacock. The proudest animal was the tiger. In this folktale from Vietnam, we see how Tiger’s pride leads him to covet wisdom, and with the help of a wise farmer, earn his stripes. (amazon.com)

Garland, S. (2001). Children of the dragon: Selected tales from Vietnam. Illustrated by T. S. Hyman. New York: Harcourt. (4-6)

Legend has it that more than four thousand years ago a mighty dragon prince named Lac Long Quan married a fairy princess named Au Co. From these parents the Vietnamese people were born. With power, humor, and grace, Sherry Garland shares six of her favorite folktales of Vietnam. Passed down through the ages, these colorful stories depict the rich history, tribal customs, explanations of natural phenomena, and values so important to the Vietnamese people. Award-winning illustrator Trina Schart Hyman brings these magically entertaining and vividly detailed stories to life in an introduction to the folktales of Vietnam that is nothing less than masterful. Full-color illustrations. (amazon.com)

Lee, J. M. (1989). Toad is the uncle of heaven: A Vietnamese folktale. New York: Henry Holt. (K-3)

This Vietnamese folk tale reveals how Toad goes to heaven to end a drought and there receives the honorary title of uncle. (amazon.com)

Shepard, A. (1998). The crystal heart: A Vietnamese legend. Illustrated by J. D. Fiedler. New York: Atheneum. (K-3)

Mi Nuong, the daughter of a great mandarin, hears an enchanting song from a singer who may be the man she is destined to marry. It is only that man and his lovely song that can cure Mi Nuong when she becomes ill. Written in elegant prose and visually told with stunning illustrations, this story from Vietnam reveals the power of expectations - and of words. (amazon.com)

Vuong, L. D. (1992). The brocaded slipper and other Vietnamese tales. Illustrated by V. Mai. New York: Harpercollins. (4-6)

Reflecting universal themes, these tellings of five Vietnamese fairy tales which include versions of "Cinderella”, "Thumbelina”, and "The Frog Prince”, "are modern and smooth," said Booklist of this "excellent and unusual addition to folklore collections.” (School Library Journal)

Vuong, L. D. (1993). The golden carp: And other tales from Vietnam. Illustrated by M. Saito. New York: Lothrop Lee & Shepard. (4-6)

Six traditional tales from Vietnam have been retold and illustrated with striking paintings to create a lovely and accessible volume. The poetic text is filled with beautiful imagery that draws the reader into the fairy world and the culture of Vietnam. The illustrations, by a Japanese artist, are formal and stylized but full of action. Included are source notes and a pronunciation guide. (Horn Book, 1994)

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Historical fiction

Tran, K. T. (1987). The little weaver of Thai-Yen Village. Illustrated by N. Hom. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (4-6)

A young Vietnamese girl maintains her own cultural identity while struggling to adjust to the United States. (Borders.com)

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