Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gripping search for missing dad, based on a true story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Washington, D.C., 10th-grader Ethan Wynkoop, who's very interested in Chinese history and culture, becomes friends with classmate Ti-Anna Chen, whose parents are exiled Chinese civil rights leaders living in the United States. When Ti-Anna's father suddenly disappears on a trip to Hong Kong, the kids, armed with the credit card of Ethan's parents, take off in search of him. Their quest over NINE DAYS soon takes them to Vietnam, as well. The kids encounter political enemies and organized crime, receive assistance from a friendly local teen, and land in the midst of a human trafficking ring selling young girls into prostitution.
Is It Any Good?
Author Fred Hiatt is a columnist and editorial page editor for the Washington Post, which helps account for the fast-paced, well-crafted story packed with current issues. While Nine Days could easily have become didactic or preachy, the heavy issues are woven into an intriguing, compelling tale that will appeal to tweens' spirit of adventure as well as their sense of right and wrong. Lots of local color and cultural vignettes as well as appealing characters take young readers on an exciting journey with plenty to think about.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how it might be difficult for kids like Ethan and Ti-Anna, whose parents are big achievers in their particular fields, to pursue other interests instead of the "family legacy".
What do you know about the history of China and Vietnam in the 20th century, and what it had to do with the US? What other stories have you read that deal with these events and issues?
Have you ever visited Hong Kong or Vietnam? After reading this story, do you think you'd like to?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : April 9, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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