After Bé's mother left, her stepmom's escalating abuse, and her father's illness, Bé finds herself increasingly isolated except for her three-legged kitten Mèo. But just before the US enters the Vietnam War, Bé is drugged, sold, and wakes up with a group of young women, all abducted & kept in an underground bunker. Can Bé and Mèo return to safety and find a new home?

MÈO AND BÉ is a middle-grade story that captures the essence of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of finding one's voice. The heart of the story lies in its focus on Vietnam during the war and the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Nguyen provides a poignant portrayal of the emotional, social, and economic challenges faced by Vietnamese people during the period, and is reminiscent of DUST CHILD (Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai), albeit for a younger audience.

Nguyen effortlessly captures the complexities of the human experience, making it accessible and relatable to young readers while still offering profound insights for adult readers. Nguyen's ability to convey not only the hardships faced by the characters but also the themes of resilience and strength left me in awe.

I particularly adore the author's note, where Nguyen describes her experience learning about the Vietnam War through an American perspective and later via a Vietnamese lens. The raw emotions and heartfelt expressions poured onto the pages brought tears to my eyes.

MÈO AND BÉ is an excellent read for those seeking a touching and powerful story of resilience and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. I wholeheartedly recommend this middle-grade novel to both young readers and adults alike.

Thank you to hearourvoicestours for the #gifted copy