Parents' Guide to

Butterfly Yellow

By Amanda Nojadera, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Moving post-Vietnam War story of courage and perseverance.

Book Thanhha Lai Historical Fiction 2019
Butterfly Yellow Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

teacherlesley
teacherlesley Adult
January 26, 2022
age 13+

One of my favorite novels I have ever taught!

Everyone is familiar with Inside Out and Back Again but for readers in 7th grade and up, Butterfly Yellow is the stronger choice. There are powerful themes, dynamic characters, and the most beautiful literary language. It was the perfect "stretch" book for my 7th graders. As a teacher who loves to weave in history and geography, Lai's research is wonderful and led us into topics about the Vietnam War, immigration, and refugees, but also western culture and America in 1981. The two main characters have a complex relationship that models what true friendship between boys and girls might look like and how to navigate romantic feelings respectfully. As the main character, Hằng, deals with her trauma, readers build extraordinary levels of empathy. This is just really a powerful and wonderful book. I highly recommend.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In BUTTERFLY YELLOW, Hằng's younger brother, Linh, was taken to America at age 5, in the final days of the Vietnam War, as part of Operation Babylift. Six years later, Hằng, 18, has finally made it to America after enduring an arduous journey filled with many heartbreaking moments, and she's on a mission to find her now 11-year-old brother. Along the way, she meets an aspiring cowboy named LeeRoy, who reluctantly takes her to the small Texas town where Linh has been living. Hằng is thrilled to reunite with her brother, but she wasn't prepared for Linh --who now goes by David -- to have no recollection of their family. Can Hằng find a way to reconnect with her brother and help him remember details about their life in Vietnam?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Thanhha La's moving and lyrical historical novel -- her first for young adult readers -- powerfully explores family, friendship, hope, and survival. Hằng and LeeRoy might seem like an unlikely pair, but they're both outsiders in West Texas and form a sweet bond that's filled with many comical moments. Some readers might find it challenging to decipher Hằng's English, but LeeRoy is quick to understand her Vietnamese pronunciations and becomes the connecting bridge between Hằng and Linh/David. As Butterfly Yellow progresses, teens will be inspired by Hằng's fierce love, strength, and determination and see that this is a story of courage, communication, and perseverance.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the heavy themes of Butterfly Yellow. How do these issues affect the characters? Is it important for teens to read Hằng's story? Why or why not? How does the book deal with violence?

  • What kinds of details show that Butterfly Yellow is taking place in a different time from our own? What do you like about reading historical fiction?

  • How do the characters demonstrate communication, courage, and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?

Book Details

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