Books About Vietnamese Americans

The Best Vietnamese Americans Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about vietnamese americans? 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.

#1 in Series

Series

Graphic Nov.

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Vietnamese Americans

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Inside Out & Back Again

By Thanhha Lai · Book #1 in the 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 Goodreads · 69,106 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

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2025

Another Word for Neighbor

By Angela Pham Krans, Thai My Phuong (Illustrator)

A quiet old man's peaceful routine is upset when a family moves in next door.

40 pages

4.6 Goodreads · 226 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Han likes his days quiet: his tea, his newspaper and his plants. Then Kate and Olly move in next door, and nothing is quiet anymore. A gentle story about an unlikely friendship and the surprises that come from letting people in.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2469

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2023

Family Style

By Thien Pham

A Vietnamese boy's journey through food reveals his quest for belonging in America.

240 pages· 7,501 words· Est. 56 min read

4.3 Goodreads · 4,403 ratings

$25.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Thien's journey from Vietnam to America is marked by the flavors of his past and present. As his family navigates life from a Thai refugee camp to California, each meal tells a story of struggle and hope. Strawberries symbolize hardship, while potato chips become a rare joy. Through these culinary memories, Thien searches for belonging and the elusive American dream. Will he find his place in a world where every bite holds a new meaning?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Green Lantern: Legacy

By Andie Tong (Illustrator) · Green Lantern: Legacy series

A jade ring transforms Tai into a Green Lantern. Can he handle the power?

144 pages· 5,986 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 1,561 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Tai Pham's life changes when he inherits his grandmother's jade ring, revealing his destiny as a Green Lantern. As he joins the ranks of space cops, Tai must navigate the challenges of being a superhero. With his imagination and willpower tested, can he honor his grandmother's legacy and embrace his new role? Dive into a world where courage and creativity collide in an epic adventure.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2023

Enlighten Me (a Graphic Novel)

By Minh Lê, Chan Chau (Illustrator)

A boy's silent retreat reveals unexpected paths to self-discovery.

144 pages

4.0 Goodreads · 987 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Bình, after clashing with a bully, finds himself at a silent meditation retreat. Stripped of distractions, he delves into the Jataka tales, seeing himself in these ancient stories. Will this weekend of silence lead to transformation or deeper isolation? As Bình navigates this unexpected journey, he must decide if he's ready to embrace change and find his true place in the world.

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$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2009

Duck for Turkey Day

By Jacqueline Jules, Kathryn Mitter (Illustrator)

Tuyet worries about her family's Thanksgiving duck, but school reveals unexpected surprises.

32 pages· 708 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 473 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Tuyet dreads Thanksgiving when her Vietnamese family plans to serve duck instead of turkey. Fearing judgment from her classmates, she braces for Monday's school stories. But as her peers share their own unique holiday meals, Tuyet discovers a heartwarming truth about family traditions. Will she learn that Thanksgiving is more about togetherness than turkey? Join Tuyet on a journey of cultural discovery and acceptance.

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$2342

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

A Different Pond

By Bao Phi, Thi Bui (Illustrator)

A young boy goes fishing with his father before dawn on a Saturday morning, learning about his father's past and their cultural heritage along the way.

Caldecott Honor (2018)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2018)Ezra Jack Keats Honor (2018)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2018)Charlotte Zolotow Award (2018)

32 pages· 952 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 6,006 ratings

$24.65Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Young Bao rises early to fish with his father in Minneapolis, not for sport, but to feed their family. As they cast their lines, stories of a distant pond in Vietnam unfold, weaving a tapestry of survival, heritage, and hope. What secrets does the past hold, and how will they shape Bao's understanding of his father's sacrifices? This poignant tale explores the bonds between father and son, and the cultural threads that connect them across oceans and generations.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2009

All the Broken Pieces

By Ann E. Burg

A boy must face his past and choose between silence and truth in a new land.

240 pages· 15,228 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 7,610 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Matt Pin, haunted by memories of war-torn Vietnam and a secret left behind, now lives with a loving adoptive family in the U.S. As he navigates his new life, Matt must confront his past, balancing silence with truth, blame with forgiveness, and fear with freedom. Will he find the courage to embrace his history and heal? This poignant tale, told in evocative verse, explores the enduring scars of war and the transformative power of love.

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 Goodreads · 7,009 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?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

When Clouds Touch Us

Inside Out and Back Again series

A refugee family faces new challenges as they move to Texas, seeking stability and belonging.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2023)

256 pages· 13,784 words· Est. 2 hour read

3.7 Goodreads · 1,377 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Two years after fleeing Vietnam, Hà's family must uproot again, moving from Alabama to Texas. As they navigate this new upheaval, Hà grapples with the fear of starting over. Will this unwanted change bring new opportunities and friendships, or will it deepen her longing for a true home? Follow Hà's journey of resilience and hope in this poignant sequel.

The Bookroo Book Club