Adult Books for Teens : Vietnamerica

YALSA’s Alex Award recognizes adult books suitable for a young adult audience. Anyone may suggest a title to the committee for consideration, and if a committee member seconds the title, it becomes an official nominee. Nominees are announced after the award winners at Midwinter Meeting’s Youth Media Awards in January.

After reading Vietnamerica by GB Tran, I knew I had to nominate it. I came across this book truly by word of mouth. One of my favorite yoga teachers commented on my graphic novel reviews on The Hub (re-posted on Facebook). She mentioned that her husband had recently published one and I instantly reserved a copy at the library.

Vietnamerica is no ordinary graphic novel, GB Tran transcends the genre with his storytelling and stellar artistry. It is the classic story of a young man’s journey to uncover the truth of his family’s history. At the end of the Vietnam War, GB’s parents escaped Vietnam to the US to begin a new life. Vietnamerica explores the cost of what they sacrificed as refugees, on what it means to be an immigrant, and how assimilation affects the family. This amazing narrative is not only a family memoir but a historical work about the Vietnam War. It is both heartbreaking and illuminating. I hope it makes it to the Alex Awards!

-Marie Penny

Have you read an outstanding book published this year? Make a field nomination!