Books About Vietnam

The Best Vietnam Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about vietnam? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Series

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Vietnam

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Inside Out & Back Again

By Thanhha Lai · Inside Out and Back Again series

A young girl flees war-torn Vietnam, seeking hope in America.

Newbery Honor (2012)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2011)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2012)

262 pages· 14,925 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 68,598 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1975, Hà's world is upended as she and her family escape war-torn Vietnam for a new life in Alabama. Through poetic verse, Hà navigates the challenges of a foreign land, grappling with loss, identity, and the quest for belonging. Will she find hope and healing in this unfamiliar world, or will the shadows of her past linger? Experience a poignant journey of resilience and transformation as Hà's story unfolds, capturing the heartache and hope of a refugee's path to a new beginning.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2002

The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty

By Ellen Emerson White · My Name is America series

A marine fights in Vietnam while his sister battles for peace at home.

192 pages· 37,769 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,394 ratings

$10.95Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: A young marine faces unseen enemies in Vietnam, while his sister fights for peace on American soil. Through their diaries, they reveal the personal toll of a war that divides a nation. As he struggles with the chaos of combat, she joins protests, determined to bring him home. Will their efforts bridge the distance between them, or will the war tear them apart? This poignant tale captures the turmoil of a divided America, offering a glimpse into the lives of those caught between duty and conscience during a tumultuous era.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Wishes

By Muon Thi Van, Victo Ngai (Illustrator)

A young girl faces a life-changing journey across the sea in search of a new home.

34 pages· 77 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 2,010 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: A young Vietnamese girl embarks on a perilous journey with her family, leaving everything behind to find a new home across the ocean. As they navigate the unknown in a crowded boat, her world transforms, and the impact of this voyage shapes her future. What awaits them on the other side? Discover a tale of hope, courage, and the enduring power of family bonds in this poignant story inspired by true events.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Hundred Years of Happiness

By Nguyen Quang (Illustrator), Kim Lien (Illustrator)

A granddaughter and grandfather grow a special fruit to spark a grandmother's lost memories.

32 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 422 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: An's grandmother, Bà, is lost in memories. An and her grandfather, Ông, plant gấc seeds, hoping to recreate Bà's favorite wedding dish, xôi gấc, and revive her cherished past. As they nurture the garden, will the fruit of their labor bring back a hundred years of happiness? This tender tale of love and patience unfolds in a vibrant Vietnamese family setting, where the power of food and memories intertwine.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

What Was the Vietnam War?

By Jim O'Connor, Who HQ, Tim Foley (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

This book tells the story of the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese people and the US soldiers who fought in it.

112 pages· 8,912 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 537 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Explore the Vietnam War's impact on America through the eyes of five presidents who believed they could halt communism's spread. Discover the reasons behind the U.S. involvement, the staggering human cost, and the enduring scars left on a nation. What drove America into this prolonged conflict, and why did it end in defeat? Uncover the complex truths of a war that defined a generation and reshaped a country.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2019

House Without Walls

By Ching Yeung Russell

A perilous journey to find a new home tests courage and hope.

336 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 241 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1979, eleven-year-old Lam flees Vietnam during the Boat People Exodus. Facing pirates, hunger, and loss, she clings to hope and a jade pendant. At a refugee camp, she finds solace in friendship with Dao, a girl who becomes like a sister. This poignant verse tale captures the resilience and heartache of seeking safety and belonging.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1993

The Lotus Seed

By Sherry Garland, Tatsuro Kiuchi (Illustrator)

A girl flees Vietnam, carrying a lotus seed as a symbol of her lost homeland.

32 pages· 473 words· Est. 6 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 857 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: A young girl escapes war-torn Vietnam, clutching a lotus seed as a cherished link to her past. In America, she and her family navigate a new life, striving to preserve their cultural heritage. As they adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, the seed becomes a poignant reminder of their roots and resilience. Will they find a way to honor their past while embracing the future? This tale of survival and identity explores the enduring bonds of family and tradition amidst the challenges of starting anew.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2010

I Pledge Allegiance

By Chris Lynch · Book #1 in the Vietnam series

Four friends pledge to survive Vietnam War and return home together.

183 pages· 37,075 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,561 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Morris and his three best friends enlist in different military branches during the Vietnam War, bound by a promise to return home together. As Morris serves on the USS Boston, he faces relentless danger and the haunting responsibility of keeping his friends safe. With each mission, the stakes rise, testing their courage and the strength of their bond. Will their friendship withstand the horrors of war, or will their pledge be shattered by the chaos surrounding them? Dive into a gripping tale of loyalty, bravery, and the unyielding hope of returning home.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1997

Water Buffalo Days

By Huynh Quang Nhuong, Jean Tseng (Illustrator), Mou-Sien Tseng (Illustrator)

A boy and his buffalo face jungle dangers together.

117 pages· 16,915 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 310 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the hills of Vietnam, young Nhuong's best friend is Tank, a courageous water buffalo. Together, they confront bullies and wild tigers, navigating the perils of jungle life. Can their bond withstand the challenges of their untamed world?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Listen, Slowly

A reluctant journey to Vietnam reveals family secrets and cultural roots.

288 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 6,997 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Mai, a California girl, dreads her trip to Vietnam with her grandmother, who seeks answers about her husband's past. Struggling with language and customs, Mai must navigate unfamiliar territory to uncover family truths and redefine her sense of belonging. Will she find a connection between her two worlds, or remain an outsider in both?

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