From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
October 2026 - Graciela in the Abyss
By Kristen · 1 post · 15 views
By Kristen · 1 post · 15 views
last updated Oct 01, 2025 07:27PM
showing 5 of 5 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
June Read- Inside Out and Back Again
By Kim · 15 posts · 137 views
By Kim · 15 posts · 137 views
last updated Dec 19, 2011 08:09AM
What Members Thought
I know so very little about this time period. History class never made it this far by the end of the year, but I imagine that anyone in a similar situation would be able to relate to the main character's story. I think this is one of those reads that opens a reader's mind and heart and creates the reader empathy I am always on about.
...more
...more
This is a beautifully written book, no doubt. However, perhaps due to the novel in verse format, the portrayal of this family's intense removal from home and immersion into a fairly unwelcoming new culture was a little superficial. In particular, I wanted more out of the main character, beyond that she was annoyed that people thought she was dumb. Yet, her insights about her experience, her daily life, were largely complaints, which ultimately made her unsympathetic for me. I felt this novel doc
...more
An absolutely beautiful semi-autobiographical novel about a young girl ripped from her life in 1970s vietnam during the fall of Saigon. Written entirely in verse, it is lyrical and poignant while at the same time remaining interesting and entertaining. While this book is probably aimed at about grades 3 - 6, I am afraid this story and format may appeal more to adults than its intended audience. A great read none the less (and I can now say I DO read poetry!)
A beautiful way for the author to choose to tell her own story. Any one who has ever moved and been "the new kid" will be able to identify and empathize with the main character as she and her family try to adjust to their move to America.
...more
Jan 09, 2012
Caren
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-fiction,
historical-fiction
Stunning. Written like "Out of the Dust". Won National Book Award and is definitely going to get the Newbery medal, whether it be gold or silver.
...more
Book on verse about a young girl's journey from Viet Nam to Alabama in the course of a year. Hopeful. ...more
A young girl and her family escape from Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and come to America. She must learn to adjust to a new language, and way of life, but she misses Vietnam, and her father who has been MIA for years. With the support of her family, neighbors, and a couple of school friends, she begins to embrace her new home. This was one of my favorites this summer! It is based on the author’s real life experiences, and beautifully captures both her struggles and triumphs. It is written in
...more
A spare novel in verse of a ten year old girl's move to Alabama in the 1970s from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. Newbery Honor and National Book Award winner for Children's lit. Both well deserved. Interesting to read this not long after "Never Fall Down" which dealt with an eleven year old boy's survival of the Cambodian killing fields.
...more
I love how free verse distills ideas and images. So succinct.
Kim Ha tells us in clipped phrase vivid impressions of her life in Viet Nam after her dad disappears in the war, when the Americans leave, her family's flight from Viet Nam, her mother's grief, adjusting in Alabama, and finally settling.
...more
Kim Ha tells us in clipped phrase vivid impressions of her life in Viet Nam after her dad disappears in the war, when the Americans leave, her family's flight from Viet Nam, her mother's grief, adjusting in Alabama, and finally settling.
...more
Nov 22, 2011
Melissa
marked it as to-read
Nov 29, 2011
Paul
marked it as to-read
Jan 07, 2013
Mallory
marked it as to-read
Jan 01, 2018
Lori
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own-on-kindle,
newbery-honor
Nov 03, 2015
Lisa
marked it as to-read
