Tin is brave.
No one in his village denies that. And while his mother may wish that he'd spend more time on schoolwork than on training his ele... read full description
reviews
Jan 21, 2012
Patricia
rated it: 
Thirteen-year-old Y’Tin is interested in one thing: elephants. His goal is to be his village’s youngest elephant handler and to someday open up an elephant trainer school. But the Vietcong and North Vietnamese troops keep harassing Dega villages, and life for both the villagers and the elephants is becoming increasingly dangerous. When Y’Tin’s village is attacked by North Vietnamese soldiers, he must make a choice between staying with his family or saving the elephants. As an elephant handler, h
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Dec 22, 2010
Juliette
rated it:
This is the first non-picture book that I have added to my "multicultural-childrens literature" shelf, but it does belong there. Though I would obviously recommend it for older students. (Since I use picture books to enhance music education for K-2, this book obviously wouldn't work).
Cynthia Kadohata did a nice bit of research before embarking on this tail of a young Vietnamese boy in the 70's who is a gifted elephant trainer. The characters and settings are believeable, a More...
Cynthia Kadohata did a nice bit of research before embarking on this tail of a young Vietnamese boy in the 70's who is a gifted elephant trainer. The characters and settings are believeable, a More...
Oct 18, 2010
Meredith
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 08, 2010
Latricia
rated it: 
Notes from the catalog: In 1975 after American troops pull out of Vietnam, a thirteen-year-old boy and his beloved elephant escape into the jungle when Viet Cong attack his village.
The Good: This is a historical fiction firmly in the middle grade level which looks at a side of the war in Vietnam that is often overlooked. What did happen in Vietnam after the US left? It's also classic Kadohata. It's tender and the writing solid.
The not so good: Lets start with those notes in the catal More...
The Good: This is a historical fiction firmly in the middle grade level which looks at a side of the war in Vietnam that is often overlooked. What did happen in Vietnam after the US left? It's also classic Kadohata. It's tender and the writing solid.
The not so good: Lets start with those notes in the catal More...
Jul 11, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Y'Tin lives in South Vietnam after the Americans have pulled out from the Vietnam conflict. Because several of the men in Y-Tin's village helped the Americans, they are in jeopardy of being targeted by North Vietnamese and the Vietcong. Y-Tin's family is fortunate enough to own an elephant and Y-Tin's dreams are to one day open a training school for elephants. Y-Tin's village is attacked and while trying to get away with Lady, his elephant, he notices what looks like his younger sister standi
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Mar 03, 2010
Jeannie
rated it:
In the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam live the Dega tribes, Vietnamese village farmers and elephant keepers. 13 year old Y'Tin is the youngest animal trainer of his kind and his charge is his beloved elephant named Lady.
Set soon after the Americans pull out of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese are still soldiering in to combat the Southern Vietnamese, breaking the established Paris Peace Accord agreement. Y'Tin's village is ambushed, threatening t More...
Set soon after the Americans pull out of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese are still soldiering in to combat the Southern Vietnamese, breaking the established Paris Peace Accord agreement. Y'Tin's village is ambushed, threatening t More...
Feb 11, 2010
George
rated it: 
I was really excited to read this book for two reasons: it was written by a Newbery Award winner and it centers around a young adolescent boy in rural Vietnam immediately following the Vietnam War. However, I do not think either of those qualities of the book lived up to my expectations.
The plot and character development are scant--even for a novel of only 200 pages. I really wanted to connect with Y'Tin, the main character. I wanted to feel his anger and resentment toward the Ameri More...
The plot and character development are scant--even for a novel of only 200 pages. I really wanted to connect with Y'Tin, the main character. I wanted to feel his anger and resentment toward the Ameri More...
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Feb 12, 2010
Josiah
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"Sometimes, without even thinking about it, you step over a line, and on the other side of that line you find you've stepped into a situation you didn't want."
—A Million Shades of Gray, P. 175
I always eagerly await any new literary offering from Cynthia Kadohata, and following on the heels of her fantastic 2008 book Outside Beauty, my anticipation for A Million Shades of Gray certainly was high.
Cynthia Kadohata takes us back to a time in Vietnam More...
—A Million Shades of Gray, P. 175
I always eagerly await any new literary offering from Cynthia Kadohata, and following on the heels of her fantastic 2008 book Outside Beauty, my anticipation for A Million Shades of Gray certainly was high.
Cynthia Kadohata takes us back to a time in Vietnam More...
Apr 17, 2010
Judith
rated it:
In Cynthia Kadohata’s new novel, A Million Shades of Gray, Kadohata reveals the story of Y’Tin, a 13 year old boy who dreams of becoming an elephant trainer, and the hardships that he faces in his remote Southern Vietnam village. Y’Tin’s story takes place a few years after the Americans left South Vietnam and focuses on the trepidation and fear the villagers face. Y’Tin’s main focus in life is to become the youngest elephant trainer and maybe one day open his own training school. The effects of
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Nov 09, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
It’s 1973: Y’Tin and his family live in a distant village in South Vietnam, and, for as long as he can
remember, his country has been at war with North Vietnam. While his father works as a guide for the American Special Forces, Y’Tin likes nothing more than to spend peaceful time with his beloved elephant, named Lady. In fact, he dreams of growing up and becoming one of the youngest elephant trainers ever. Yet things turn deadly when the Americans return home, leaving Y’Tin and his peopl More...
remember, his country has been at war with North Vietnam. While his father works as a guide for the American Special Forces, Y’Tin likes nothing more than to spend peaceful time with his beloved elephant, named Lady. In fact, he dreams of growing up and becoming one of the youngest elephant trainers ever. Yet things turn deadly when the Americans return home, leaving Y’Tin and his peopl More...
Mar 24, 2010
Talia
rated it:
Y’Tin’s dream is to someday run a school for training elephants in Vietnam, so it only makes sense that he learns to become an elephant handler. Lady, his elephant, is Y’Tin’s companion and was able to be trained without use of a training hook! When the North Vietnamese infiltrate his village, things begin to change for Y’Tin regarding his family, his friends, his elephant, and his own relationship with himself.
I had high hopes for this book, especially since I really liked “Cracker” More...
I had high hopes for this book, especially since I really liked “Cracker” More...
Jun 29, 2010
mitchell
rated it:
I didn't know there were tribal agrarian peoples in Vietnam who were not officially involved in the war. I don't think I'm especially ignorant about these things, so I admit I was surprised to learn about the Rhade people, a tribe in the southern part of that country, some of whom helped American Special Forces to navigate the Vietnam jungles.
This is the best thing Cynthia Kadohata's A Million Shades of Gray has going for it. The story of Y'Tin, a young elephant handler who longs t More...
This is the best thing Cynthia Kadohata's A Million Shades of Gray has going for it. The story of Y'Tin, a young elephant handler who longs t More...
Oct 16, 2011
Kimberly
rated it: 
Historical Fiction - 2010 I found this book to be an incredible read. As with many historical fiction books I've read, I couldn't help thinking if I had been encouraged to read a text like this in high school, I may have been more engaged in history and may have even passed the AP History test! :) Y'Tin is a young boy/man in South Vietnam at the close of the Vietnam war. He is a elephant handler in his community. As the American special forces leave his village, the North Vietnam soldiers take t
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Apr 06, 2010
S
rated it:
Y'Tin is a South Vietnamese boy who must escape from his village when the North Vietnamese invades and captures it.
Passage
page 93
paragraph 5
"Y'Tin wished that he had seen Joseph's family as well, but all that he could remember from those early moments was the kick on his nose. He gingerly felt his nose now. It hurt to touch.
His mind began racing. He was scared to sleep. Someone might kill him while he slept. It wasn't logical, but it was posible. More...
Passage
page 93
paragraph 5
"Y'Tin wished that he had seen Joseph's family as well, but all that he could remember from those early moments was the kick on his nose. He gingerly felt his nose now. It hurt to touch.
His mind began racing. He was scared to sleep. Someone might kill him while he slept. It wasn't logical, but it was posible. More...
Dec 30, 2010
Andy
rated it:
I felt immersed in this story. The jungle setting felt very atmospheric and vivid, and I liked all the details about tracking, elephants, and Rhade community life - the world evoked felt real and true to me. The writing is deceptively simple -lots of shorter, declarative sentences- but it felt crafted quite deliberately, with much care. The main character grows and develops quite a bit over the course of the book, ultimately questioning much that he had either assumed to be true or never even co
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Mar 07, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
The story of Y'Tin's love of elephants, especially Lady, in the midst of war-torn Vietnam seemed surreal. Y'Tin's village was burned, half the people were killed, and he was separated from his family, not knowing if they were alive. Shortly after finding his family in the camps Y'Tin decided to try to make his way to Thailand so he could work with elephants. The backdrop of the war, and Y'Tin's decision to leave his land and his family did not seem believable to me.
What I enjoyed abo More...
What I enjoyed abo More...
Oct 19, 2010
Maureen
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 02, 2010
Cassandra
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I loved the main character and the writing was so outstanding that I can still almost smell and see and hear the setting. I almost wish it had been written for YA so the author could have gone deeper. I wouldn't stop my ten year old from reading this one if she really wanted to, but I'm not offering it to her, either. The war horrors are a little to horrific for me to pass on to her just yet. I would be more comfortable sharing this story with middle schoolers who were ready for this level of d
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Mar 14, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
Before reading A Million Shades of Grey, I didn't really know a lot about the Vietnam War. I didn't know the politics or reasoning behind it, or the extent of the horrors that people experienced. Kadohata ended up giving me a history lesson of sorts, and for that reason alone, I'm glad I read this book.
Y'Tin's tale is one of bravery and hope, and is as much a coming of age story as it is an adventure. Nothing makes a boy grow up like being in the middle of a war and, as horrific as i More...
Y'Tin's tale is one of bravery and hope, and is as much a coming of age story as it is an adventure. Nothing makes a boy grow up like being in the middle of a war and, as horrific as i More...
Dec 19, 2010
Malissa
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 03, 2009
Sandra
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The play on words in the title refer to the protagonist’s name, his “shade” that travels and interacts with another shade (spirit of a young man hanged unfairly in the late 1790’s) while the 17 year old protagonist is in a coma, and also the “shades of gray” of his character, as he does things he knows to be unethical and downright wrong because he is infatuated, though he is a sensible, honest, caring person. Good story that moves well and explores tough moral choices and repentance (though th
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Feb 05, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Kind of dissapointed by this one. Great start and a unique setting for YA lit. The Americans have left South Vietnam and the North are invading. Y'Tin's villiage must flee to the jungle in fear for retribution for their assistance to the Americans. Y'Tin flees with his elephant but learns that the jungle can make things seem crazy. Didn't like the way it ended abruptly. I would have like to read more about his village's struggles in the jungle. Did like the way the elephants were described and s
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Mar 26, 2011
Chris
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Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Dec. 1, 2009 (Vol. 106, No. 7))
Growing up in a remote Dega village in South Vietnam, Y’Tin is as close with his beloved elephant, Lady, as he is with his father, who works with the American Special Forces. After the Americans leave, Y’Tin, 13, flees the Vietcong massacre of his village and tries to find his family and friends while surviving in the jungle and caring for Lady. For a story so packed with action, this novel reads very slowly. Kadohata has done her res More...
Growing up in a remote Dega village in South Vietnam, Y’Tin is as close with his beloved elephant, Lady, as he is with his father, who works with the American Special Forces. After the Americans leave, Y’Tin, 13, flees the Vietcong massacre of his village and tries to find his family and friends while surviving in the jungle and caring for Lady. For a story so packed with action, this novel reads very slowly. Kadohata has done her res More...
Aug 19, 2010
Jessie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 14, 2010
Kendall
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I actually rate this about 2 3/4 stars...I'm not sure of the appeal here. While it is one of the first books to give a good look at the atrocities of the Vietnam War to middle schoolers, the pace is incredibly slow at the beginning. The main character is a "tracker" used to find people and animals...and therefore moves slowly, the plot is probably supposed to mimic the idea. It grows old, though and could use a little more action. However, it winds up being a good story over all with a
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Jun 27, 2010
Karen
rated it:
I didn;t think I would like this book, but I did. I was prejudiced by comments I had heard about another book by the author being dry. But, now I need to check out some of her other books. There were some gruesome descriptions when the Viet Cong came into the village, and the ending surprised me because it seemed abrupt, yet still appropriate, I suppose. I will be recommending this to the boys who like war stories. While this is not mainly focused on the war, I think boys will enjoy it.
Jul 06, 2011
Lori
rated it:
A wonderfully written book for both children and adults. It dives into the emotion and lives of people who just want to live peacefully, but cannot due to the Vietnam war that is occurring right through the middle of their village.
I am drawn to books that contain an element of human relationships with nature, and this book definitely fit into that category; however, it was not naive in this area either. There were events in this story that caused me and my daughter to question some More...
I am drawn to books that contain an element of human relationships with nature, and this book definitely fit into that category; however, it was not naive in this area either. There were events in this story that caused me and my daughter to question some More...
Sep 27, 2010
Sq.Hill
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Jun 19, 2011
Kandyce
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I love that I keep finding books that give me a perspective I hadn't been aware of. This story of Y'Tin is based in the central mountain region of Vietnam. As the story starts the Americans are just preparing to pull out of the "conflict". Y'Tin's has always thought his future was in his village as an elephant handler, but when a group of Northern Vietnamese soldiers take over his village, many things change.
Jul 19, 2010
Holly
rated it:
Another elephant book, but I enjoyed Elephant Run much better. The writing was simple and condescending; I didn't buy into or care about the character until the end. Maybe it was just too young, but I'm not sure young readers would buy in to it enough to care - too bad as it's a good story. Vietnam War period and the effects it has on the people.
