Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Krawczyk
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brave girl continues to adjust to U.S. in heartfelt sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WHEN CLOUDS TOUCH US, Hà and her family continue to adjust to life in the U.S. Just as Hà makes friends and adjusts to school in Alabama, her mother decides the family will move to Texas for better opportunities. Hà leaves behind her oldest brother and her best friend Pam. As she finishes the last six week of school at a new middle school, she's also dealing with the challenges of puberty and racism. Although her mom works long hours and her brothers are growing up and away, family is still Hà's foundation. She doesn't know how, but with her family and maybe even some new friends, Hà will start over once again.
Is It Any Good?
This engaging sequel can be enjoyed as a stand-alone read. When Clouds Touch Us is centered on family and perseverance. Hà is a brave and resilient girl, who shows an endearing and humorous side as she navigates new experiences, like a "rolling-shoe party." Readers will learn about the difficulties faced by refugees and be inspired by the courage of Hà and her family as they overcome many challenges. The verse is a bit choppy or disjointed at times, as it reflects the characters' use of English as they're learning it. Some readers may find that confusing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about refugees in When Clouds Touch Us. Hà and her family came to the U.S. as refugees from the Vietnam war in 1975. How do they demonstrate courage and perseverance in adjusting to life in a new country? Are there any refugees living in your community? If so, where are they from and why did they leave?
A big challenge for Hà and her family is learning a new language. Communication is a challenge, sometimes resulting in confusion and misunderstandings. Have you ever tried to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you? How did it feel?
What did you learn about Vietnam's culture or history from reading this book? What would you like to learn?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harper Collins Publishers
- Publication date : May 9, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle, App
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate