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Angel Child, Dragon Child
In this story based on a young girl's true-life experiences, Ut, a Vietnamese child separated from her family, recounts her attempts to come to terms with a new country and a new life and to reunite her family
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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320 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
October 9, 2021
This is a beautiful story that is meant to build empathy towards immigrants. Hoa recently came to the United States of America with her father, her sisters and younger brother. Unfortunately her mother was unable to come. Can Hoa adapt to life in a new country and in a new school without her mother?
January 30, 2011
Ut comes to the United States from Vietnam along with her father and siblings. Ut misses her mother who has had to stay behind in Vietnam because there is not enough money to bring everyone to America. Ut must deal with the cruel children in her school who make fun of her wardrobe and the way she speaks. One boy in particular, Raymond, is being exceptionally cruel. It isn't until Raymond is told to write Ut's story that a friendship begins. It is Raymond who thinks of a perfect way to get Ut's mother to America.
Angel Child, Dragon Child is a book that deals with the immigration experience. The reader is drawn to Ut's courage in moving to a far away country. She is brave in school acting like an "angel" until the children make fun of her, turning her into a "dragon". Michele Maria Surat writes about Vietnamese culture. The reader is drawn to the type of dress that Ut and her sister wear. Surat gives word pronunciations for the Vietnamese words that she uses. She explains the difference of Ut's "true" name, Hoa, and her "home" name which is Ut.
The idea for this book came from teaching Vietnamese students. Surat was impressed by her students that came from Vietnam and the courage they had in creating a new life in America.
Angel Child, Dragon Child is a book that deals with the immigration experience. The reader is drawn to Ut's courage in moving to a far away country. She is brave in school acting like an "angel" until the children make fun of her, turning her into a "dragon". Michele Maria Surat writes about Vietnamese culture. The reader is drawn to the type of dress that Ut and her sister wear. Surat gives word pronunciations for the Vietnamese words that she uses. She explains the difference of Ut's "true" name, Hoa, and her "home" name which is Ut.
The idea for this book came from teaching Vietnamese students. Surat was impressed by her students that came from Vietnam and the courage they had in creating a new life in America.
July 31, 2013
What a beautiful book! The tender illustrations and the heart-warming story make this deserving of a permanent place on any collection of outstanding children's books.
Scholastic provides a discussion guide and a extension activity suggestions.
Scholastic provides a discussion guide and a extension activity suggestions.
November 12, 2025
Ut arrives in America from Vietnam and enrolls in a new school where everything feels unfamiliar. She has to navigate a world without her mother, facing the challenge of people laughing at her because of her differences. The topic of this book is the immigrant experience and the importance of empathy. Angel Child, Dragon Child is a great book that portrays the struggles immigrants face. They come to a whole new place in search of a better life, but it is hard at first because everything is new to them, and they have to learn how to live in a place that is different from what they are used to. This book is intended for grades K-3rd. This book is an excellent addition to any classroom. It would be used as a read-aloud to foster empathy and cultural differences. Throughout the reading, I would ask questions such as, "How do you think Ut felt being teased about her clothes?" and "What actions can the students take to help Ut raise money for her mom?" I would also use Google Earth to show the students what Vietnam looks like. For an activity, I would have them create an "All About Me" page to showcase their favorite foods, colors, hobbies, and cultural backgrounds. Another activity could be a show-and-tell that is important to their family and represents their culture.
November 18, 2014
This was a book that showed the life of a girl that moves to America from Japan to hopefully establish herself a life of freedom. She goes through many obstacles throughout the book, but always manages to find her way. This is a great book because of the amazing watercolor illustrations, and the set up of the book. This book really shows the mystics that come with different cultures across the globe, and its a great representation of it. I would definitely recommend this book to read to young children because it gives them a different view on cultures to young readers.
October 10, 2018
Angel Child, Dragon Child depicts a realistic fiction about a young girl, Ut, who just immigrated from Vietnam with her family. However, her mother was unable to come along, and Ut often finds herself in loneliness and frustration in her new surroundings. Her classmates tease and laugh when they hear her speaking Vietnamese, and a particular student, Raymond, calls her "Pajamas" for wearing her traditional Vietnamese dress.
The story definitely does not sugarcoat the bullying her classmates direct towards her. An overarching theme for the story is struggling between "adapting" to American culture while longing for one's beloved culture. Immediately within the first few pages, you already recognize Ut's culture shock, as she narrates about how differently children are taught - they do not chant all together; instead, they are sat separately and recite lessons "one by one". Additionally, Ut struggles with English and tries speak Vietnamese instead, something that Raymond and her classmates laugh at her for.
What I liked especially is that there is a clear conflict resolution for the story. Ut and Raymond are caught in a snowball fight, and Raymond is ordered by the principal to write a story about Vietnam while Ut explains. Raymond immediately complains that he doesn't understand Ut's "funny language", clearly establishing the lack of communication and understanding from Raymond's part that roots Raymond and Ut's constant conflict. Ut comforts Raymond in English, which Raymond jumps at in response, and insists that Ut continue to refer to Raymond as 'Raymond' from now, while Raymond will call Ut by her real name. He is more receptive to Ut, and when Ut talks about her mother left back in Vietnam, he is sympathetic, and calls for the class and principal to hold a Vietnamese fair to raise money for Ut's mother to come to America - which eventually works.
An important component of Angel Child, Dragon Child, is that despite Ut eventually learning English, she still maintains parts of Vietnamese culture. Her culture is embraced at the fair her class arranges, and it also contains a clear-cut goal to also help bring her mother. She still speaks Vietnamese to her family, refers to her sister as "Chi Hai", and wears her traditional clothing. Furthermore, she can communicate with her classmates about who she is as her person.
The language is befitting for students in elementary school; the sentences are comprehensible, and there are also beautiful sentences when for example, describing the snow. Some Vietnamese vocabulary is used in the story, such as Ut referring to a photograph of her mother as a "hoa phuong" and a phrase Ut recites to her class. The pronunciations are listed at the bottom of the page, and generally, the translations aren't given but inferred from the text. An interesting consistent component of its language is that "dragon child" and "angel child" is frequently used, connecting back to a legend on how Vietnam was formed. It's explained in the afterword, and the legend is interesting, including an illustrated map.
The illustrations are in what appears to be pencil and colored pencils. They contain a sketch-like quality to them, but are colorful when it comes to it. There is an attention to the plants and trees in the background; they are frequently seen on each page. In scenes where it is snowing, the skies are black and the snow is white, having the illustration contain a bit of a detached, cold feeling to it, but are brightened by Ut and her sister's bright clothing - a detail I found interesting. Above all, the illustrations are done by a Vietnamese person, so the clothing Ut and her family wears are authentic. Her features, are evidently not from tokenism but distinguish her as a genuinely Vietnamese child.
Something I would have liked for the book to include translations for the terms in the book at the bottom of pages. Indeed, although they allow an authentic glimpse into the Vietnamese language, I thought with the lack of translation, a student making inferences could not confirm the meaning of words on their own.
Overall, a lovely story with an honest narration with a sympathetic character and a touching goal.
The story definitely does not sugarcoat the bullying her classmates direct towards her. An overarching theme for the story is struggling between "adapting" to American culture while longing for one's beloved culture. Immediately within the first few pages, you already recognize Ut's culture shock, as she narrates about how differently children are taught - they do not chant all together; instead, they are sat separately and recite lessons "one by one". Additionally, Ut struggles with English and tries speak Vietnamese instead, something that Raymond and her classmates laugh at her for.
What I liked especially is that there is a clear conflict resolution for the story. Ut and Raymond are caught in a snowball fight, and Raymond is ordered by the principal to write a story about Vietnam while Ut explains. Raymond immediately complains that he doesn't understand Ut's "funny language", clearly establishing the lack of communication and understanding from Raymond's part that roots Raymond and Ut's constant conflict. Ut comforts Raymond in English, which Raymond jumps at in response, and insists that Ut continue to refer to Raymond as 'Raymond' from now, while Raymond will call Ut by her real name. He is more receptive to Ut, and when Ut talks about her mother left back in Vietnam, he is sympathetic, and calls for the class and principal to hold a Vietnamese fair to raise money for Ut's mother to come to America - which eventually works.
An important component of Angel Child, Dragon Child, is that despite Ut eventually learning English, she still maintains parts of Vietnamese culture. Her culture is embraced at the fair her class arranges, and it also contains a clear-cut goal to also help bring her mother. She still speaks Vietnamese to her family, refers to her sister as "Chi Hai", and wears her traditional clothing. Furthermore, she can communicate with her classmates about who she is as her person.
The language is befitting for students in elementary school; the sentences are comprehensible, and there are also beautiful sentences when for example, describing the snow. Some Vietnamese vocabulary is used in the story, such as Ut referring to a photograph of her mother as a "hoa phuong" and a phrase Ut recites to her class. The pronunciations are listed at the bottom of the page, and generally, the translations aren't given but inferred from the text. An interesting consistent component of its language is that "dragon child" and "angel child" is frequently used, connecting back to a legend on how Vietnam was formed. It's explained in the afterword, and the legend is interesting, including an illustrated map.
The illustrations are in what appears to be pencil and colored pencils. They contain a sketch-like quality to them, but are colorful when it comes to it. There is an attention to the plants and trees in the background; they are frequently seen on each page. In scenes where it is snowing, the skies are black and the snow is white, having the illustration contain a bit of a detached, cold feeling to it, but are brightened by Ut and her sister's bright clothing - a detail I found interesting. Above all, the illustrations are done by a Vietnamese person, so the clothing Ut and her family wears are authentic. Her features, are evidently not from tokenism but distinguish her as a genuinely Vietnamese child.
Something I would have liked for the book to include translations for the terms in the book at the bottom of pages. Indeed, although they allow an authentic glimpse into the Vietnamese language, I thought with the lack of translation, a student making inferences could not confirm the meaning of words on their own.
Overall, a lovely story with an honest narration with a sympathetic character and a touching goal.
September 2, 2020
This is one of those books that caught my attention since of the title itself. At the same time though the cover art is beautifully colorful yet fragile at the same time just like the story itself.
This is a beautiful story of what it is like for a Vietnamese immigrant to start their life anew in a country where they don't know the culture, the language predominantly or even without their whole family. In this particular case the protagonist is the youngest girl in her family while at the get-go she meets the class bully who mocks her dress, her past and everything that makes her her.
What I love about this book is the fact that it uses actual Vietnamese names while also offering the actual pronunciation of those words on the same page. As a result the reader doesn't need to go online to look up the correct pronunciation nor do they have to constantly flip back to the index to be able to find the same.
And the last part that I really did enjoy was the inclusion of a part in the back that gave some information on the country of Thailand as well as the legend of how the Vietnamese believed themselves to be originated. As a result of this particular discussion it does make more sense for the reader as to why Ut keeps leaning on the angel and dragon aspects.
For illustrations the pictures included are colorful but delicately beautiful at the same time. They capture the essence of Ut's Vietnamese heritage while bringing the reader into a story that could very well include any child who has been moved from where they are most comfortable.
Otherwise the writing is a bit on the heavy side otherwise so I would recommend it for upper elementary school kids only, especially if they have non-local children in their class. There also may need to be a discussion for the really curious children as to why Ut's mother wasn't really included in moving with the rest of the family for it can seem rather dark for those who may not understand the whole concep.
This is a beautiful story of what it is like for a Vietnamese immigrant to start their life anew in a country where they don't know the culture, the language predominantly or even without their whole family. In this particular case the protagonist is the youngest girl in her family while at the get-go she meets the class bully who mocks her dress, her past and everything that makes her her.
What I love about this book is the fact that it uses actual Vietnamese names while also offering the actual pronunciation of those words on the same page. As a result the reader doesn't need to go online to look up the correct pronunciation nor do they have to constantly flip back to the index to be able to find the same.
And the last part that I really did enjoy was the inclusion of a part in the back that gave some information on the country of Thailand as well as the legend of how the Vietnamese believed themselves to be originated. As a result of this particular discussion it does make more sense for the reader as to why Ut keeps leaning on the angel and dragon aspects.
For illustrations the pictures included are colorful but delicately beautiful at the same time. They capture the essence of Ut's Vietnamese heritage while bringing the reader into a story that could very well include any child who has been moved from where they are most comfortable.
Otherwise the writing is a bit on the heavy side otherwise so I would recommend it for upper elementary school kids only, especially if they have non-local children in their class. There also may need to be a discussion for the really curious children as to why Ut's mother wasn't really included in moving with the rest of the family for it can seem rather dark for those who may not understand the whole concep.
October 12, 2018
This is a story about Ut and how she moved to the US from Vietnam. From what it seems, it looks like her family came here without their mother because she is referenced quite a lot and she is mentioned with the hope of reuniting. The story is like "The Name Jar" the protagonist gets teased the first day of school and there is a boy in particular that doesn't stop the teasing. In this book there is a difference, the "bully" then wants to help Ut bring her mother to travel to the US to reunite with her family. This story goes more in-depth with the protagonist and gives a shift in the tone when it comes to the "bully". This is a heartfelt story about separation and reuniting as some of the family travels and family members stay back. This is a good story about immigration, language differences, and bullying. I would have this book in my classroom because I think it is important to have many different sides of immigration. I wouldn't be multiculturally literate if I didn't offer a variety or books on this topic. We have to understand that immigration comes from everywhere and we have to be accepting of the fact that these people are putting everything on the line for a better opportunity. They want to assimilate and become one with this country. It makes you put things in perspective and makes you think if we take what we have for granted ei this country and all its freedom
March 2, 2017
The book gave a perspective of a Vietnamese, immigrant girl moving from Vietnam to America. The storyline revolves around the main character's struggles with fitting in at her new American school. She experienced teasing from her classmates and misses her mom dearly, who was stuck in Vietnam due to socioeconomic status and issues. By the end of the book, the main character's classmates finally accepts her and welcome her Vietnamese cultures and traditions. The students also became an agent of change in terms of helping their beloved friend bring her mother home to America. The book addresses social issues of bullying, culture/ethnicity/immigration, and social action/problem solving. According to James Banks's (1989) "Levels of Integration of Multicultural Content," the book reached level 4 (out of 4 levels) in terms of effective integration of multicultural content. It displays a situation where the students used the idea of problem solving and social action change to fix a problem presented within their classroom community. It encompasses critical thinking and self-assessment as the storyline of the book continues. Overall, this book is a great read for any reader!
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October 19, 2021Ut, a Vietnamese girl attending school in the United States, is lonely for her mother left behind in Vietnam. She has difficulty adjusting to her new life, and her classmates do not accept her because she is different. After getting into an argument with a classmate, the teacher makes them do a project together about Ut's life. He eventually feels bad that he was so mean to her and she makes a new friend who presents her with a wonderful gift.
You could use this book to create a Venn diagram. Have the students consider cultural representation in the text using guided reflection prompts that encourage them to consider the familiar and unfamiliar from their reading. Have them compare and contrast their lives to Ut's.
You could use this book to create a Venn diagram. Have the students consider cultural representation in the text using guided reflection prompts that encourage them to consider the familiar and unfamiliar from their reading. Have them compare and contrast their lives to Ut's.
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October 9, 2023"Angel Child, Dragon Child" by Michaele Surat is a beautifully written realistic fiction book about a young immigrant child Ut, who is of Vietnamese descent. Ut moves to America and has to leave her Mother whom she misses terribly. She is immediately teased and unaccepted at school and has a challenging time assimilating. One of the bullies finally goes too far, and an altercation takes place. The students are forced to work together and this leads to understanding and acceptance. The boy helps Ut raise money so that her Mom can leave Vietnam and be with her family.
I highly recommend this book. It would be useful in the classroom for discussion and to teach new perspectives and illustrate the challenges of students coming from other countries coming into the classroom.
I highly recommend this book. It would be useful in the classroom for discussion and to teach new perspectives and illustrate the challenges of students coming from other countries coming into the classroom.
December 19, 2025
Angel Child, Dragon Child by Michele Maria Surat tells the story of a VietNam young girl when most of her family comes to the United States but they didn't have enough money for their mother to come too.
In the new American school, with a new language she faces being made fun of about how she dresses, her name and is very unhappy. A VietNam tradition teaches its people to face each day as an Angel Child looking for a good day, but when faced with difficulties she becomes and a Dragon Child that endures a bad day.
A great book to share another culture with a middle grade elementary class.
In the new American school, with a new language she faces being made fun of about how she dresses, her name and is very unhappy. A VietNam tradition teaches its people to face each day as an Angel Child looking for a good day, but when faced with difficulties she becomes and a Dragon Child that endures a bad day.
A great book to share another culture with a middle grade elementary class.
October 14, 2021
This story is about a little Vietnams girl whos family moved to the United States, She is adjusting to the new people and cultures here. Her classmates make fun of her and she looks to her shucker box with the picture of her mother in it. She and a boy fight and he finally lets her tell her story and he creates a fund for her mom to get enough money to join her in the United States.
This is a great book for learning culture differences and allowing for new stories to be told. getting to know someone who looks different than you could teach you a lot of things.
This is a great book for learning culture differences and allowing for new stories to be told. getting to know someone who looks different than you could teach you a lot of things.
April 18, 2017
This story line is very realistic, something than an immigrant child faces when starting a new school, something I went through myself. This book shares UT’s feeling as she faces bullying and discrimination from the other students. After reading this book, students would be able to relate how hard it is to be new to a country and will be able to empathize with those students. This is great book to help students understand different ethnic groups and learn more about immigration. Sadly, bullying still happens today in schools, so this book can be shared in classrooms to stop bullying, talk about discrimination, and understand language barriers. I loved how this book changed bullying into a good way and bullying can be stopped if they just take the time to just get to know each other.
October 11, 2017
This story is about a girl from Vietnam and she faces some challenges while adjusting to her new home. Her classmates are mean and do not accept her. She then meets a friend who gives her a gift. I like this story because it shows there are always good people in the world. Out of the 20 kids in your class maybe 17 will be mean to you, but the other 3 can become great friends because of their kindness.
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September 23, 2019Ut has come home from Vietnam.they did not have enough money for her mother to come to the us.when she go's to school she gets made fun of. Because of they way she speaks and the way she looks.they make fun of her clothes. this one boy with red hair and she calls his hair fire.he keep on making fun of her.The it snows and she go's out side at school and gets in a fight with the boy and they have to wright about her life and they do.the they have a fundraiser for her mom to come ans she dose.
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February 23, 2020This book tells a great story about a girl from Vietnam who struggles to adapt to a new life in America, but eventually makes new friends by telling her story and having help from her classmates and school to raise enough money for her mom to move from Vietnam as well to be with her and her family. I would highly recommend this for early elementary-aged children, especially if there are occurrences of racism or bullying going on among the children.
September 22, 2021
A longer multicultural picture book about a young Vietnamese girl and her family who move to America but have to leave their mother behind. The girls are made fun of because they dress and speak differently than the other kids. But after Ut and another child get in trouble and have to talk to each other the kids open up to the girls. They help them raise money to help their mom move to America with them.
July 28, 2017
This was kind of a long book to attempt with my almost three-year-old, but she enjoyed the pictures! I remember loving this book as a kid and I'm hopeful it will be more fun and meaningful for her as she gets older.
September 25, 2018
This book deals with cultural differences in a way that children will find easy to digest. I would personally use this story to increase awareness that our similarities generally outweigh our differences and ask students how it might feel to move to another country.
May 24, 2019
A little girl from Vietnam finds it hard in her new school in America. She is teased and not understood, until one day she is nice to her bully and things begin to change for her.
Soft illustrations.
Soft illustrations.
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April 16, 2020Ut's experience coming from Vitamin to the United States without her mother. The kids at her school aren't familiar with her clothing or her language. She works to tell the other students about her experience.
March 11, 2018
Good story for talking with kids about the immigration experience, but the resolution of the school raising money for the family seemed unrealistic.
August 27, 2018
Story of Vietnamese family who are immigrants to America. Mother had to stay behind.
February 15, 2019
We enjoyed this happy and hopeful story about friendship and learning to understand those different from ourselves.
February 22, 2019
A sweet story about a family from Vietnam who come to America without their mom.
October 31, 2019
Just right.
February 28, 2021
Such a sweet story!
April 20, 2023
Always try kindness.
November 11, 2024
Still completely relevant, a true Reading Rainbow classic. I love the solution that the principal comes up with, and then the one that .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews