Library Book: Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American Boy

This is the true story of a young Ameriasian boy finds a new family in the United States. Being the son of a Vietnamese woman and an American man puts Long in a difficult position. Because of the war, many do not see Americans with an unbiased eye. When Long loses his mother and his grandmother can no longer support him, he goes to live in an orphanage run by a nonprofit organization from the United States. As the Communists get ever closer it, Holt International (the group running the orphanage) decides they must get the children out without delay (most of the children have been placed for adoption). The book follows the remarkable operation known as Babylift which helped get over two thousand children out of Saigon before the Communists arrived. The rest of the story follows Long's (Matt) experiences in adjusting to a new family and a new life.This book beautifully compliments Inside Out & Back Again, giving the reader a glimpse of the Vietnam War from the perspective of a child. It also reveals that some good things were done by Americans as well as all the bad things we always here about happening during that war. The writing is clear and crisp and perfect for reading out-loud. This book gives the reader, especially a child reader, a chance to see some of the things that children experience around the world, and hopefully better appreciate the good things about living in the United States.

I was one of the Operation Babylift orphans and, now as a parent with children, was looking for a book that I might slip into my children's required summer reading about my story. I think this book does an excellent job sharing a touching story, including many of the complicating issues involved. In my opinion, this is appropriate for middle-school-aged children.

This book gives enough detail that it can stand alone without and prior knowledge of the situation in Vietnam at the time of the fall of Saigon. It give a very understandable history to explain it. The story is very compelling and the author has a connection to Operation Babylift. I found it very difficult to find stories about Operation Babylift. I could find information but not many stories. This story is well written and it can be applicable to anyone from middle school on. I have had high school student that read it and thought it was very good.

I liked this book very much. The writer has done a great job of making the plight of Ameri-Asians very real. Because she and her husband had adopted a Vietnamese girl, she was led to write a factual book about the situation in Viet Nam just after the Americans left that country.

I think this was a very good book even if I had to read it for history. It's hard to believe one boy could create such an impact on the Vietnam war.

At first I thought the content would be too difficult for 2nd grade reader. It turned out my daughter loved it and started to care about orphan and the cause.

Item was fine, but not quite what I had in mind. Thanks anyway!

A good read for anyone interested in the downtrodden, and are victims of war. I was there in 1969.