Book details
Home Is East
Description
Ever since she was a tiny child, Amys fathers friends have told her that her young, pretty mother is going to leave her. Of course Amy knows that could never happenher parents love each other and her, so how could her mother ever leave? Then, one chilly afternoon, Amys mother never shows up to pick her up from school. In that moment, Amy confronts a world that she never wanted to know existed. Amy and her father are Khmer, or Cambodian. In Floridas tight-knit Cambodian community, word travels fastand pity soon becomes suffocating. When Amy and her father escape to California, Amy faces new challenges, including a father that she barely recognizes. But with strength and courage, Amy builds a new network of friends, and comes to understand her fathers deep sadnessand his fierce love for her. Home Is East is a moving and hopeful story of how a father and daughter came apart, and how they found their way back to each other.From the Hardcover edition.
Age
10-12
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
306 pages
Why to read
- Cultural Insight: 'Home Is East' offers readers a deep and nuanced look into the life of a young Laotian-American girl, providing valuable insight into the Hmong culture and the immigrant experience in America.
- Coming-of-Age Story: The novel is a poignant coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the struggles of adolescence, making it relatable to a wide audience, particularly young adults.
- Emotional Depth: Many Ly's writing captures the emotional complexities of family dynamics and personal growth, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a profound level and to reflect on their own life experiences.
- Diverse Perspectives: Reading 'Home Is East' broadens one's perspective by presenting a story from a community that is often underrepresented in literature, thereby fostering empathy and understanding across different cultural backgrounds.