Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn. Illustrated by Victo Ngai. unpgd. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc., May, 2021. 9781338305890. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
A young girl is awake in the middle of the night observing the adults in her life make preparations to leave. Each double-page spread contains a line with a single, spare wish. According to the illustrator, there are just 75 words of text. The text is achingly beautiful and matched perfectly be equally arresting illustrations. The palette is muted, somber and each spread begs lingering. They are sad though. The little girl fiercely hugs her dog in one spread and tearfully bids her grandfather goodbye in another. There's hardship at sea as well as homesickness. Thankfully, the final spreads end on a hopeful note and notes from both the author and illustrator provide context.
While the story is based on the author's experience leaving Vietnam in 1980, she and the illustrator consciously chose to universalize the refugee experience in both the text and especially on the book cover, which is different than the jacket illustration, thereby leading to another "Book Cover Dilemma." I'm choosing not to tape mine down.
The sixth grade read Inside Out and Back Again by Thannhá Lai this year and I believe this books as well as The Paper Boat: a refugee story by Thao Lam would me amazing additions to the fabulous unit the two teachers developed. Wishes belongs in all libraries and should be shared widely with young people.
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