Description: Told in alternating voices, sixteen-year-old Paul travels to Vietnam where he searches for more information about his mother, who made the difficult decision to leave her children after a long struggle with grief and an abusive marriage.
Review Quotes: ★ "This story is a triumph of endurance, family, magical realism, and forgiveness." --School Library Journal, starred review
"A haunting, compassionate tribute to the children of war." --Kirkus Reviews "Hoang's dramatic coming-of-age novel is an intense exploration of grief, loss, and multigenerational trauma that ultimately leads to understanding, forgiveness, and even love." --The Horn Book "A haunting and beautiful reminder of the continual mending of the wounds from wars long past." --Kim Johnson, author of This Is My America "Jamie Jo Hoang tells an achingly tender story that explores healing and trauma, asking what role our memories play in the fabric of family." --Olivia A. Cole, author of Ariel Crashes a Train "This book will make you question the people and world you thought you knew while showing you a more complex and compassionate reality. You will be changed forever." --Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author "An emotionally gripping, gorgeously-written, and page-turning story. It is honestly a gem." --Jennifer De Leon, author of Don't Ask Me Where I'm From "Stunning! Brilliant! Profoundly beautiful!" --Ellen Oh, author of The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee