Search results for ""Author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch""

Book SynopsisA beautiful omnibus edition of the award-winning biographies Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War and One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way Tuyet remembers little about life before the Saigon orphanage, before polio left her limping and in constant pain, before the war made it too dangerous to stand under the bomb-filled Vietnam sky. Unable to play with the other children and knowing that at eight she is too old be adopted, she helps care for the babies in the orphanage. So when frantic aid-workers load a van full of babies and take Tuyet as well, she thinks that’s why she is there: as a carer. She can’t guess that, with the capital about to fall to the North Vietnamese, she is being evacuated on the last airplane full of at-risk children bound for new adoptive homes in the west. Before she knows what is happening, Tuyet is whisked into life with the Morris family: Mom, Dad, their biological daughter Beth, and their adopted children Lara and Aaron. It takes some time to really understand that she isn’t there to help care for baby Aaron: she is there to be their daughter. She learns that the bright sparks in the sky are stars, not bombs, that flames on a birthday cake are nothing to fear, and that her only jobs are to play and to be loved. But a bigger test stands before Tuyet: corrective surgery for her twisted ankle, and a gruelling physiotherapy regimen. Unable to speak English yet and terrified that the procedure will fail, Tuyet must draw on every ounce of courage and focus on her dream of running and kicking a ball in a pair of matching shoes. Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home is an omnibus edition of the award-winning Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War and One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way. Retold by acclaimed children’s author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, Tuyet’s dramatic true story is based on personal interviews and enhanced with archival photos.Trade ReviewPraise for Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home 2020 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens selection “In giving young Tuyet her own unique voice and vividly presenting her joys and anxieties in a carefully structured story, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch has created an excellent work of literary nonfiction....Highly Recommended.”—CM Magazine “For young readers who have not had the privilege of reading Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s award-winning non-fiction books about Son Thi Anh Tuyet...Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars offers an omnibus of the two earlier stories....Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars truly gives young readers the more complete story of a Vietnamese war orphan’s journey from hardships and horror to hope and home.”—CanLit for LittleCanadians “Two fascinating and award-winning biographies in one...[Tuyet’s] compelling story is full of bravery and perseverance. Readers are given such an incredible window to a refugee’s experience and the obstacles they must overcome in an unfamiliar place....Sky Of Bombs, Sky Of Stars will be an excellent non-fiction addition to any library.”—Band of MG Books Praise for Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War “The author tells Tuyet’s story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life.”—School Library Journal “An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai’s Inside Out & Back Again.”—The Horn Book Magazine “Tuyet’s remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it’s her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating.”—Booklist “Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience.”—Kirkus Reviews “[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate.”—Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books “Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch’s storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details.”—Book Dragon/Smithsonian Institute Praise for One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way “An inspiring story that will appeal to a wide audience.”—School Library Journal “Readers [who enjoyed Last Airlift] will be just as riveted to this quieter but no-less-moving story as Tuyet bravely dreams of being able to run and play…Especially satisfying is Skrypuch’s portrayal of Tuyet’s growing trust in her adoptive family, whose love and affection never fail to amaze and thrill her.”—The Horn Book Magazine “Along with the true personal story, the facts about polio across the globe, past and present, will grip readers.”—Booklist “[T]he author describes Tuyet’s operation and subsequent recovery with sympathy and respect….Readers of this moving refugee story will celebrate as well.”—Kirkus Reviews “Step by step, Skrypuch shows with forthright clarity how Tuyet becomes her own very best hero.”—BookDragon/Smithsonian Institute

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Book SynopsisOne day they will send for her, but how long must Van Ho wait for her family to find a way to get her out of South Vietnam? During the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Van wakes up one morning to find that her mother, her sisters Loan and Lan, and her brother Tuan are gone. They have escaped the new communist regime that has taken over Ho Chi Minh City for freedom in the West. Four-year-old Van is too young--and her grandmother is too old--for such a dangerous journey by boat, so the two have been left behind. Once settled in North America, her parents will eventually be able to sponsor them, and Van and her grandmother will fly away to safety. But in the meantime, Van is forced to work hard to satisfy her aunt and uncle, who treat her like an unwelcome servant. And at school she must learn that calling attention to herself is a mistake, especially when the bully who has been tormenting her turns out to be the son of a military policeman. Van Ho's true story strikes at the heart and will resonate with so many families affected by war, where so many children are forced to live under or escape from repressive regimes.Trade ReviewPraise for Too Young to Escape: A Vietnamese Girl Waits to be Reunited with Her Family 2020 Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award Winner 2020 Red Cedar Book Award: Information Winner 2018 NCTA Freeman Book Award: Young Adult/Middle School Literature Honorable Mention 2019 USBBY Outstanding International Books List selection 2019 ILA Notable Books for a Global Society selection 2020 SYRCA Diamond Willow Award finalist 2020 Hackmatack Award nominee 2019 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist 2019 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens selection 2018 CBC Books "The best Canadian YA and children's literature of 2018" selection 2018 CBC Books "13 Canadian middle-grade books to watch for this fall" selection 2018 CBC Books "12 Canadian books to commemorate Remembrance Day" selection 2018 Junior Library Guild selection ★ STARRED REVIEW "The story is told from Van's childhood perspective, with age-appropriate vocabulary and emotional heft. But readers of all ages will be immediately drawn to the simple, direct narration....[T]he authors eschew sentimentality and sensationalism, creating a straightforward autobiography that is truthful about resilience and the often unpredictable ways children act and react."—Quill & Quire Starred Review "As a work of fragmented and painful memories from the time Van was between the ages of four and eight, the narrative is impressively credible, capturing her feelings of confused abandonment, visceral descriptions of her life in Ho Chi Minh City, and gradual adjustment to being separated from her immediate family. Also well integrated are the family's hardened cynicism towards the communist government and their determination to forge on despite poverty and corruption. Family photographs and appended interviews with both Van's parents add a particular poignancy to her narrative."—Booklist "With simple but engaging language, Skrypuch recounts Van Ho's true story of her lonely and hard life in Vietnam during the years she was separated from her family....This illuminating chapter book respects an often overlooked demographic, providing transitioning readers a truthful yet age-appropriate introduction to big issues that still affect people to this day."—Kirkus Reviews "A short and poignant narrative..."—The Horn Book Guide "[A]n extremely engaging account of a childhood in challenging circumstances....Too Young to Escape is a welcome reminder of the post-Vietnam War refugee crisis that saw Canada, France, the United States and Australia welcome strangers in need. Readers will appreciate hearing this personal story from a child's perspective....Van's story and those of her family members remain timeless as well as time-specific. Highly Recommended.”—CM Magazine "[A] compelling story about the aftermath of war for children....Too Young to Escape offers a piercing firsthand account of the conflict in Vietnam, which continues to resonate in popular culture decades later. The book's plucky young protagonist adds a diverse voice to a literature that continues...to be necessary for today's readers."—Resource Links "The first-person narrative should hold readers riveted...The importance of family shines through this compelling memoir, and a series of color photographs adds to the emotional impact."—Youth Services Book Review "Anyone with an interest in Vietnamese history should read this book. I'd recommend this book because it's an interesting topic. This book was an emotional roller coaster, I loved it."—Sophia, Age 12, Kids Book Buzz "Readers will be impressed by Van Ho's respectful kindness towards her Ba Ngoai and her obedience to her aunt and uncle who, at great risk, have taken in many family members. Van's fortitude in dealing with being left behind, and making the best of her situation are evident in her story....Too Young To Escape is another excellent, well-written book by Canadian Ukrainian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch that brings to light recent history in a meaningful way..."—Libris Notes "This joint project between two Canadian authors gives readers a glimpse into the thoughts, feelings, and reactions of a child being left behind when her family becomes refugees. Interviews with her father and mother at the end of the book, as well as historical photographs, allows readers to better understand why a young child might be left behind and explains the sacrifice of every family member involved in immigration as refugees. A companion story of her brother's experience as a refugee, Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy's Story of Survival, (2017) is told in picture book format and has been shortlisted for a number of awards. Both of these stories are important for both Canadian-born and foreign-born Canadians, to help young children develop a sense of identity and belonging as Canadians."—ASLC Litpicks "Van Ho, who lived this story, tells it through Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's pen of extraordinary writing which reflects both Van’s youthful point of view and her trauma. Her story is disquieting but it's also uplifting, focusing on Van's resilience."—CanLit for LittleCanadians "This story brings to life the situations and circumstances that the Vietnam refugees fled, and creates some understanding for young readers of the difficulties faced by them. The day to day reality of life in Vietnam for Van and her grandmother are shown in detail, and the photos included here allow the reader to connect with the young girl."—Canadian Bookworm "Skrypuch beautifully captured the perspective of a young child. The voice is simple and believable....At the end of the book are interviews with both Van Ho and her mother. This was a well-deployed device to allow the adult perspective, which would be unavailable to the young narrator at the time. By structuring the book this way, we're able to get a fuller picture of the family's experience while remaining true to the main character's voice and age in the story. I highly recommend this story of immigration for all middle grade readers."—Laura Lillibridge "The book was a great read. Growing up in Canada around the same time, it's hard to imagine how fast a child has to grow up in order to survive in other parts of the world. I have always been very grateful to live in this country and this book is another example of why."—Booktime

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Book SynopsisOne day they will send for her, but how long must Van Ho wait for her family to find a way to get her out of South Vietnam? During the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Van wakes up one morning to find that her mother, her sisters Loan and Lan, and her brother Tuan are gone. They have escaped the new communist regime that has taken over Ho Chi Minh City for freedom in the West. Four-year-old Van is too young--and her grandmother is too old--for such a dangerous journey by boat, so the two have been left behind. Once settled in North America, her parents will eventually be able to sponsor them, and Van and her grandmother will fly away to safety. But in the meantime, Van is forced to work hard to satisfy her aunt and uncle, who treat her like an unwelcome servant. And at school she must learn that calling attention to herself is a mistake, especially when the bully who has been tormenting her turns out to be the son of a military policeman. Van Ho's true story strikes at the heart and will resonate with so many families affected by war, where so many children are forced to live under or escape from repressive regimes.Trade ReviewPraise for Too Young to Escape: A Vietnamese Girl Waits to be Reunited with Her Family 2020 Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award Winner 2020 Red Cedar Book Award: Information Winner 2018 NCTA Freeman Book Award: Young Adult/Middle School Literature Honorable Mention 2019 USBBY Outstanding International Books List selection 2019 ILA Notable Books for a Global Society selection 2020 SYRCA Diamond Willow Award finalist 2020 Hackmatack Award nominee 2019 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist 2019 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens selection 2018 CBC Books "The best Canadian YA and children's literature of 2018" selection 2018 CBC Books "13 Canadian middle-grade books to watch for this fall" selection 2018 CBC Books "12 Canadian books to commemorate Remembrance Day" selection 2018 Junior Library Guild selection ★ STARRED REVIEW "The story is told from Van's childhood perspective, with age-appropriate vocabulary and emotional heft. But readers of all ages will be immediately drawn to the simple, direct narration....[T]he authors eschew sentimentality and sensationalism, creating a straightforward autobiography that is truthful about resilience and the often unpredictable ways children act and react."—Quill & Quire Starred Review "As a work of fragmented and painful memories from the time Van was between the ages of four and eight, the narrative is impressively credible, capturing her feelings of confused abandonment, visceral descriptions of her life in Ho Chi Minh City, and gradual adjustment to being separated from her immediate family. Also well integrated are the family's hardened cynicism towards the communist government and their determination to forge on despite poverty and corruption. Family photographs and appended interviews with both Van's parents add a particular poignancy to her narrative."—Booklist "With simple but engaging language, Skrypuch recounts Van Ho's true story of her lonely and hard life in Vietnam during the years she was separated from her family....This illuminating chapter book respects an often overlooked demographic, providing transitioning readers a truthful yet age-appropriate introduction to big issues that still affect people to this day."—Kirkus Reviews "A short and poignant narrative..."—The Horn Book Guide "[A]n extremely engaging account of a childhood in challenging circumstances....Too Young to Escape is a welcome reminder of the post-Vietnam War refugee crisis that saw Canada, France, the United States and Australia welcome strangers in need. Readers will appreciate hearing this personal story from a child's perspective....Van's story and those of her family members remain timeless as well as time-specific. Highly Recommended.”—CM Magazine "[A] compelling story about the aftermath of war for children....Too Young to Escape offers a piercing firsthand account of the conflict in Vietnam, which continues to resonate in popular culture decades later. The book's plucky young protagonist adds a diverse voice to a literature that continues...to be necessary for today's readers."—Resource Links "The first-person narrative should hold readers riveted...The importance of family shines through this compelling memoir, and a series of color photographs adds to the emotional impact."—Youth Services Book Review "Anyone with an interest in Vietnamese history should read this book. I'd recommend this book because it's an interesting topic. This book was an emotional roller coaster, I loved it."—Sophia, Age 12, Kids Book Buzz "Readers will be impressed by Van Ho's respectful kindness towards her Ba Ngoai and her obedience to her aunt and uncle who, at great risk, have taken in many family members. Van's fortitude in dealing with being left behind, and making the best of her situation are evident in her story....Too Young To Escape is another excellent, well-written book by Canadian Ukrainian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch that brings to light recent history in a meaningful way..."—Libris Notes "This joint project between two Canadian authors gives readers a glimpse into the thoughts, feelings, and reactions of a child being left behind when her family becomes refugees. Interviews with her father and mother at the end of the book, as well as historical photographs, allows readers to better understand why a young child might be left behind and explains the sacrifice of every family member involved in immigration as refugees. A companion story of her brother's experience as a refugee, Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy's Story of Survival, (2017) is told in picture book format and has been shortlisted for a number of awards. Both of these stories are important for both Canadian-born and foreign-born Canadians, to help young children develop a sense of identity and belonging as Canadians."—ASLC Litpicks "Van Ho, who lived this story, tells it through Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's pen of extraordinary writing which reflects both Van’s youthful point of view and her trauma. Her story is disquieting but it's also uplifting, focusing on Van's resilience."—CanLit for LittleCanadians "This story brings to life the situations and circumstances that the Vietnam refugees fled, and creates some understanding for young readers of the difficulties faced by them. The day to day reality of life in Vietnam for Van and her grandmother are shown in detail, and the photos included here allow the reader to connect with the young girl."—Canadian Bookworm "Skrypuch beautifully captured the perspective of a young child. The voice is simple and believable....At the end of the book are interviews with both Van Ho and her mother. This was a well-deployed device to allow the adult perspective, which would be unavailable to the young narrator at the time. By structuring the book this way, we're able to get a fuller picture of the family's experience while remaining true to the main character's voice and age in the story. I highly recommend this story of immigration for all middle grade readers."—Laura Lillibridge "The book was a great read. Growing up in Canada around the same time, it's hard to imagine how fast a child has to grow up in order to survive in other parts of the world. I have always been very grateful to live in this country and this book is another example of why."—Booktime

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Book SynopsisLast Airlift is the true story of the last Canadian airlift operation that left Saigon and arrived in Toronto on April 13, 1975. Son Thi Anh Tuyet was one of 57 babies and children on that flight. Based on personal interviews and enhanced with archive photos, Tuyet''s story of the Saigon orphanage and her flight to Canada is an emotional and suspenseful journey brought to life by award-winning children''s author, Marsha Skrypuch.Trade ReviewAbout Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War 2013 Red Cedar Information Book Award Winner 2013 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Nonfiction Award runner-up 2013 Cybils Award shortlist 2013 Cooperative Children's Book Centre Award shortlist 2012 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist 2012 Hamilton Literary Children's and Young Adult Award shortlist 2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection 2013 Bank Street Best Book selection 2012 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection 2012 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection "Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience."—Kirkus Reviews "An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again."—Horn Book Magazine "The author tells Tuyet's story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life."—School Library Journal "Tuyet's remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it's her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating."—Booklist "Last Airlift is the story of an heroic deed, of one young girl's courage and resourcefulness when she most needs it, and of the ending she could not foresee...Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine "[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate."—Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books "Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch never strays from Tuyet's child-centered perspective in recounting her experiences. In an author's note, Skrypuch describes interviewing Tuyet (obviously now an adult), who found that she remembered more and more of the past as she talked. Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it."—Cooperative Center for Children's Book Choices "Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details."—Smithsonian Institute Book Dragon "Black and white photographs and documents supplement this biographical tale. Told from the point of view of this eight year old girl, the story is quite informative and compelling. Readers who enjoy biographies will find much to admire in Tuyet."—Youth Services Book Review

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Book SynopsisAn affecting sequel to Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War. Tuyet cannot believe her good fortune. Brought up in a Vietnamese orphanage and rescued from the invading North Vietnamese army, she has been adopted by a kind and loving family in Canada. Tuyet feels safe at last as she adjusts to a new language and unfamiliar customs. But polio has left her with a weak leg, and her foot is turned inward, making walking painful and difficult. There is only one answer; she must have a series of operations. Her dread of doctors and hospitals brings back troubling memories of helicopters, a field hospital, and another operation in Vietnam. It won't stop Tuyet, despite her fears and her overwhelming shyness. She has always dreamed of having two straight legs, of walking and running, of playing with other children, of owning a pair of shoes that actually match. Now that she has been given a chance, Tuyet is determined to do what it takes to finally stand on her own two feet. "Readers of this moving refugee story will celebrate as well."—Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewAbout One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way 2014 OLA Silver Birch Nonfiction Award Winner 2013 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist 2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection 2014 Bank Street Best Books of the Year for Children and Young Adults selection 2013 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection "Readers [who enjoyed Last Airlift] will be just as riveted to this quieter but no-less-moving story as Tuyet bravely dreams of being able to run and play..."—The Horn Book Magazine "An inspiring story that will appeal to a wide audience."—School Library Journal "Readers of this moving refugee story will celebrate as well."—Kirkus Reviews "Along with the true personal story, the facts about polio across the globe, past and present, will grip readers."—Booklist "Tuyet's quiet perseverance is inspiring..."—Publishers Weekly "The cover of the book and the red shoes pictured take on a very special meaning by the end of this heart-warming book that will leave readers in tears."—International Reading Association Reading Today Online "One Step at a Time is a good choice for sensitive young readers interested in non-fiction about other children, other cultures, and recent history...The book is likely to encourage many questions and wide-ranging discussion in a reading group, and the story is highly likeable."—Resource Links "...as a poignant story of compassion, perseverance and recovery, Skrypuch's writing provides a platform for opening a dialogue on the repercussions of war and violence, as well as global health in regard to polio. As such, the story is perfect for bringing together multiple generations of readers."—The International Examiner "Skrypuch...does a good job of portraying Tuyet's feelings as she faces the uncertainties of a new country, a new home and frightening surgery."—Winnipeg Free Press "Step by step, Skrypuch shows with forthright clarity how Tuyet becomes her own very best hero."—Booksdragon, Smithsonian Asian Pacific America Center "Readers 8 to 11 years old will marvel at Tuyet's perseverance and laugh at moments when she reveals her unfamiliarity with Canadian customs, such as when Tuyet doesn't understand why her first-ever birthday cake is 'on fire.'"—Good News TorontoTable of ContentsChapter One—The Night Before.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter Two—Red Shoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chapter Three—The Hospital.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Chapter Four—Black Button.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chapter Five—Home Again.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Chapter Six—Brady Bunch.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Chapter Seven—Church.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Chapter Eight—August 6, 1975.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Chapter Nine—Can You Walk, Tuyet?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Chapter Ten—Strength.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Chapter Eleven—One Step at a Time.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Chapter Twelve—The Hardest Things.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Historical Note.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Further Resources for Parents and Teachers.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Author’s Note.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

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Book SynopsisThe award-winning first picture book to recount the dramatic true story of a refugee family’s perilous escape from Vietnam It is 1981. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a fishing boat overloaded with 60 Vietnamese refugees drifts. The motor has failed; the hull is leaking; the drinking water is nearly gone. This is the dramatic true story recounted by Tuan Ho, who was six years old when he, his mother, and two sisters dodged the bullets of Vietnam’s military police for the perilous chance of boarding that boat. Told to multi-award-winning author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch and illustrated by the celebrated Brian Deines, Tuan’s story has become Adrift At Sea, the first picture book to describe the flight of Vietnam’s “Boat People” refugees. Illustrated with sweeping oil paintings and complete with an expansive Author’s Note, this non-fiction picture book comes as the world continues to grapple with the plight of refugees risking all for the chance at safety and a new life.Trade ReviewPraise for Adrift at Sea 2018 Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award Winner 2019 Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award: Grade 3-5 shortlist 2017 Red Cedar Information Book Award shortlist 2017 Cybils Award: Elementary/Middle Grade Non-Fiction shortlist 2017 Children's Literature Roundtable of Canada Information Book Award Honour Book selection 2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection 2018 School Library Journal "Collaborating on High-Interest Topics | The Refugee Experience" selection 2018 Canadian School Libraries Journal: Resource Links Highlights: Refugees and Immigrants" selection 2017 Stacked Books "Monthly Giving: International Refugee Assistance Program" selection 2017 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection 2016 New England Children's Booksellers Advisory Council's Hot Titles selection 2016 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection 2021 Unpacking the Power of Picture Books "Viet Nam: Three Must-See, Must-Read Picture Books" selection "In this picture book for somewhat older readers, Ho narrates the story of his perilous escape from postwar Vietnam, in 1981, describing his pain at leaving behind loved ones and relief upon being rescued by an American aircraft carrier after six days adrift on the ocean. The text is terse and unembellished, leaving the images to capture the emotions through color and perspective—and they do so with compelling immediacy."—Booklist "[A] remarkable tale of perseverance that involved attacks from soldiers, a broken boat at sea, and a trip that was intended to last four days but went horribly awry....This is a solid informational resource that can be used for introducing a refugee's experience."—School Library Journal "[D]etailed authors' notes include history, photographs, and maps. The warm undertones in Deines' oil paintings evoke tropical Vietnam."—Kirkus Reviews "Skrypuch uses one child's story to give moving insight into the experience of the many children who escaped war-ravaged Vietnam to start new lives....Deines's hazy oil paintings poignantly capture the family's physical ordeal and anguish during their perilous journey."—Publishers Weekly "Tuan's dramatic story of survival comes alive in Skrypuch's capable hands. The heart-pounding action alone is enough to captivate readers, but Skrypuch also incorporates moments of great poignancy that add depth and emotion....Deines's accompanying artwork is achingly beautiful....That danger can exist amid such beauty is an important lesson to learn. That the human spirit can triumph under the most trying of conditions is even more important."—Quill & Quire "The evocative text and powerful illustrations, painted with oils, enable readers to feel as though they, too, are refugees adrift at sea during this risky journey to freedom..."—ILA Literacy Daily, "War and Its Aftermath "Filled with urgency, fear, and ultimately hope, Tuan's real-life odyssey proves to be an illuminating inspiration for all readers."—Smithsonian BookDragon "[A] powerful story, and it doesn’t shy away from the dangers experienced—sometimes fatally—by the refugees."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "This beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book introduces the reader to a real family....An interesting read that explains why and how people are sometimes forced to flee and find a new homeland."—The International Educator "Given no other options but to leave their homeland in hopes of a better life, Tuan describes and recounts the horrors of leaving everything behind and having to escape into an unknown world....Filled with colorful and vibrant drawings that engages readers from start to finish, Adrift at Sea is a powerful historical nonfiction story."—International Examiner "Adrift at Sea is a heartwarming story that will prompt young people to be grateful for the good things in their lives, and highly recommended."—Midwest Book Review "The beautiful, full-page oil paintings effectively convey the dangerous escape, the blistering heat, and the loneliness of being adrift on the ocean....This is an especially useful book to help students understand why refugees are still crowding into boats and risking everything for a better life even today."—School Library Connection "Recommend to teachers to supplement studies about the Vietnam War or current events with an example of how non-combatants can be affected by the outcome of wars."—Youth Services Book Review "This book is true, and it is really sad....[it] is a good book to help you understand how people feel and the things they have to do if they feel like they need to run away from bad things that are happening where they live."—Kids' BookBuzz "Brian Deines...created beautiful oil on canvas illustrations for the book. The colours of the illustrations are bight and vibrant. Other highlights of the book are the personal photographs, biography of Tuan's family, map, and historical note which bookend the narrative of the story....Adrift at Sea is an important addition to Canadian picture book market....Recommended."—CM Magazine "Brian Deines' subtle double-page oil paintings add greatly to the mood and text of this story....This book is very timely as we have so many refugees from war torn countries in the Middle East now attempting to make their way to a better life under the same kind of conditions that the Vietnamese people experienced back in 1981....I would highly recommend this book for all school and public libraries."—Resource Links "Adrift at Sea tells this difficult tale with a direct honesty that creates an opportunity for accompanied discussion, especially for some younger readers. Skrypuch maintains a strong sense of hope throughout, demonstrating the true strength of young Tuan."—Canadian Children's Book News "This fascinating read gives a glimpse of the struggle and bravery of a refugee....This is a powerful tale that enables children to learn about a time in history that they may not know about."—The Crimson Review of Children's and YA Literature "The illustrations in this book, full color paintings, are absolutely stunning....Brian Deines, has outdone himself in two-page spreads that bring this refugee story to life....[A] good introduction to the subject of the Vietnamese boat people..."—Semicolon "This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of Tuan's days at sea and their eventual rescue by American sailors. End pages include photographs and information that round out the story and tell of Tuan's life in with his family in Toronto."—Nerdy Book Club "From the illustration of a lone boat adrift in a wash of dry heat that graces the cover of Adrift at Sea, to the dark and engrossing images of Tuan's steps along the journey, Brian Deines' art is evocative and integrative, resplendent in complementary colours of orange and golds and blues and purples."—CanLit for LittleCanadians "The authors include personal photographs of Tuan's family, before their escape and following their settling in Canada, to help readers understand this historical moment in time....Brian Deines (as he always does) has created truly beautiful artwork using oils on canvas to bring Tuan's story to this book's readers."—Sal's Fiction Addiction

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Book SynopsisA companion to Making Bombs for Hitler and The War Below, this novel follows a Ukrainian girl who was kidnapped as a child to be raised by a Nazi family.Nadia is haunted by World War II. Her memories of the war are messy, coming back to her in pieces and flashes she can''t control. Though her adoptive mother says they are safe now, Nadia''s flashbacks keep coming.Sometimes she remembers running, hunger, and isolation. But other times she remembers living with a German family, and attending big rallies where she was praised for her light hair and blue eyes. The puzzle pieces don''t quite fit together, and Nadia is scared by what might be true. Could she have been raised by Nazis? Were they her real family? What part did she play in the war?What Nadia finally discovers about her own history will shock her. But only when she understands the past can she truly face her future.Inspired by startling true events, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch delivers a gripping and poignant st

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Book SynopsisA true story about life in a Saigon orphanage, a dramatic rescue flight from Vietnam to Canada, adoption by a Canadian family, and growing up in Canada.Trade ReviewAbout Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War 2013 Red Cedar Information Book Award Winner 2013 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Nonfiction Award runner-up 2013 Cybils Award shortlist 2013 Cooperative Children's Book Centre Award shortlist 2012 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist 2012 Hamilton Literary Children's and Young Adult Award shortlist 2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection 2013 Bank Street Best Book selection 2012 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection 2012 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection "Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience."—Kirkus Reviews "An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again."—Horn Book Magazine "The author tells Tuyet's story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life."—School Library Journal "Tuyet's remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it's her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating."—Booklist "Last Airlift is the story of an heroic deed, of one young girl's courage and resourcefulness when she most needs it, and of the ending she could not foresee...Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine "[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate."—Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books "Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch never strays from Tuyet's child-centered perspective in recounting her experiences. In an author's note, Skrypuch describes interviewing Tuyet (obviously now an adult), who found that she remembered more and more of the past as she talked. Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it."—Cooperative Center for Children's Book Choices "Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details."—Smithsonian Institute Book Dragon "Black and white photographs and documents supplement this biographical tale. Told from the point of view of this eight year old girl, the story is quite informative and compelling. Readers who enjoy biographies will find much to admire in Tuyet."—Youth Services Book Review

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Book SynopsisThis gripping, accessible novel by celebrated Ukrainian Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch follows two sisters as they struggle to survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 12-year-old twin sisters Rada and Dariia Popkova couldn't be more different. Rada is outgoing and chatty while Dariia is a quieter and artsy. But what they have in common is their love for each other and their home. The family lives in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is attacked by the Russians on Feb 24th, 2022.The attack separates the family -- Rada is with her mom and Dariia with her dad. Rada and her mother are then separated by Russian officials and Rada is sent to live with a Russian family. As the war rages around them, Rada and her family must overcome unimaginable hardships. But they will learn how powerful hope is in the face of disaster.

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