Description

Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction! Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Ibi Zoboi, and Erika L. Sánchez, this gorgeously written and deeply moving novel is the YA debut from the award-winning author of Inside Out & Back Again. 4 starred reviews!

In the final days of the Việtnam War, Hằng takes her little brother, Linh, to the airport, determined to find a way to safety in America. In a split second, Linh is ripped from her arms—and Hằng is left behind in the war-torn country.

Six years later, Hằng has made the brutal journey from Việtnam and is now in 1980s Texas as a refugee. She doesn’t know how she will find the little brother who was taken from her until she meets LeeRoy, a city boy with big rodeo dreams, who decides to help her.

Hằng is overjoyed when she reunites with Linh. But when she realizes he doesn’t remember her, their family, or Việtnam, her heart is crushed. Though the distance between them feels greater than ever, Hằng has come so far that she will do anything to bridge the gap in this emotional and moving coming of age novel.

What does it take to rebuild a family when the memories are gone?

A Powerful Refugee Story: Follow Hằng’s journey from war-torn Việtnam to the plains of Texas as she searches for the only family she has left. Brother and Sister Bonds: When Hằng finally finds Linh, he has no memory of her or their shared past. Can she help him remember who he is without shattering the new life he has built? Found Family: A heartfelt connection forms between Hằng, a determined survivor, and LeeRoy, a wannabe cowboy who offers his help and his heart. Healing from Trauma: A stunningly lyrical YA historical fiction novel that explores the cost of war, the challenges of immigration, and the enduring power of hope.