This was an absolutely lovely little book. For someone who adores poetry so much, I'm actually not the biggest fan of novels in verse, which surprises me every time. For some reason it sometimes feels a little distracting and unnecessary. (Although I can't imagine this same story told in prose, so perhaps the form is perfect for this story and it's just not for me.) 

Besides that, this was beautiful. It tells of the story of a young girl fleeing Vietnam with her mother and three brothers right before the fall of Saigon. It made sense when I learned it's a mostly-autobiographical novel, because the relationships and settings feel so lifelike. 

I will admit it had me sobbing at several points - I'm very sensitive to media, especially when it involves children. The immensity of the destruction and suffering that so many children had to experience really hit me while reading this.

Overall, a quick, satisfying, and heartbreaking read.