Listen, Slowly | 
so-soso-sothis story is told through the point of view of Mai. A young girl born and raised in California. She can't wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War. Despite an initial shock and dissatisfaction with Vietnam, throughout the story Mai finds a new appreciation for her family and heritage.
pickThis book follows a young girl named Mai, who has only ever lived in California but her grandmother is traveling to Vietnam and her parents think that it would be beneficial for Mai to go with her so she can get a better understanding of where her family came from. Allows for students who may not be American and may not feel as if they fit in can see another person struggling with balancing life in America and their heritage.
pickReview:
A girl from California named Mai has plans to go on vacation but instead goes to Vietnam to help her grandma. She does not want to go because she does not think that it is her roots. By the end of the book, she actually loves being there and learns a lot about her culture, roots, and herself.
“Discovering our cultural roots is like unearthing buried treasures within ourselves. It's a journey that may require patience and understanding, but it leads to a richer, more meaningful appreciation of who we are.“
This book provides insights into Vietnamese culture and traditions, which can help students gain a broader perspective and appreciation for diversity. This would be a great book to have on the shelf of your classroom.
pick“Listen, Slowly“ is a young adult novel written by Thanhha Lai. Mai, a Vietnamese-American girl, is initially reluctant to spend her summer in Vietnam with her grandmother. She would rather be back in California. However, as she immerses herself in the culture and tries to decipher a family secret involving her grandfather. Mai gains a deeper understanding of her heritage and learns the value of patience and truly listening.
#ListeningDay #JulyJam @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A beautifully written story: A California girl born and raised, Mai can‘t wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War…
pickThis book was about a 13 year old Vietnamese girl who would finally be able to go to the beach by herself as of that summer. Turns out, she has to go to Vietnam to help her grandma see if her husband, who served in the war, was still alive. She doesn‘t want to go because there‘s this guy who she likes and wants to know more about during the summer. It turns out she has a great time. This book was amazing!!
A California girl born and raised, Mai can‘t wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War. Loved this, along with Inside Out and Back Again
#boat
#boundtogetherjune
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620
pickListen, Slowly is perfect choice for #readharder2020 task 20, a middle grade book not set in the US or UK. It's not normally the kind of book I'd pick up but I loved it and that cover is so gorgeous. ⠀
pickIf you can look past the whiny pre-teen attitude in parts, this is a sweet story of family and history. A young girl travels with her grandmother to Vietnam for the summer, and the author writes so beautifully that you will feel the humidity of the weather and the sting of the bug bites as you read.
I enjoyed Inside Out and Back Again more, but this is still a wonderful book.
pickThis book falls under the category of contemporary realistic fiction, and was published in the year of 2015. A brief summary would be that a Vietnamese American girl starts her journey of becoming more involved with family. The book hold many lessons and meanings within it.
Not only did I like the book for the overall message, but because it hold true and meaningful lessons that one can relate to no matter culture or upbringing (important read).
pickI really like multi-cultural books for middle-schoolers. This particular story is about a Southern California 12-year-old who is forced to visit Vietnam with her grandmother. The grandmother is going there to try to find out what happened to her husband during the Vietnam War. It‘s about the ultimate importance of home and family. Glad I read it.
Listen, slowly has an important message about finding the meaning of family and where home really is. I think students will really enjoy this book.
pickListen, Slowly is about a young girl who has to visit her grandmother in Vietnam during her vacation. During this trip she learns a lot about the meaning of family.
Contemporary realistic fiction. This is a wonderful story for older children and adults. It‘s real and poignant and something I want to keep reading. It‘s just as beautiful and honest and real as you can expect for Thanhha Lai.
pickListen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai, 2015. This is a wonderful novel of realistic fiction that shows the importance of family and learning to understand. It‘s incredibly honest and real and rich and full of culture and love. It‘s an incredible story and it‘s simply beautiful.
pickThis book is about a a 12 year old girl named Mia who can‘t wait to take a break from being perfect. Mia goes to spend time with her grandma in Vietnam so she can help her find out what really happened to her grandfather. In the process she grows closer to her family and their culture. She learns about a world she never new before.
How ironic that I‘m listening to this at 3x the speed. 😂😂
I‘m about 3/4 of the way through and have been quite enjoying it so far.
I'm inputting the new books for the teen/children's section and I stumbled across this little gem. The cover of this one is so beautiful. #coverappreciation
"She is in pain."
OKAY I DID NOT EXPECT THIS LEVEL OF ACCURACY WHAT IS THIS SORCERY I ASK YOU ??
Starting the audio for Listen Slowly and using the Libby app for the first time which I'm loving. So much better than the old Overdrive app.
This book has been on my "to read" list for about a year now. The cover reminds me of so many other middle grades books that I have loved and I was really excited when I found the audiobook at the library. I'm halfway through and not really loving it. Talk about a major bummer. I'll finish it and judge at the end, but it's not looking good.
This cover! 😍
I loved her first book so I have high hopes for this one. Jacqueline Woodson has a blurb on the front cover so it's gotta be good, right? #setinsoutheastasia #aprilbookshowers @RealLifeReading
The fruits of Christmas gift cards. Most are books I've already read and wanted on my shelf, but there are a few new ones to keep me busy.
Librarian problems: When one of your favorite students brings you a book and says she had a "backpack accident" that involved water and a candy cane, and you really don't want to throw the book away bc it's brand new and really, really good. ??
pickBetween walks, gym, parties, and more parties, I managed to finish this. I loved the sense of place and found Mai's voice to be very authentic...which is to say she sounds like a pre-teen. It won't be for everyone, but it is totally worth it for those who are into it. I'm sure I would have liked just reading it, but Lulu Lam's delivery was fantastic--don't miss the audio if you're into that sort of thing. Also, I now know how to pronounce "Hanoi."
I'm finally getting around to starting this. Two hours in and I'm in love. Mai is difficult...she's a pre-teen afterall, and really Lai has written her really well in that regard...but Lulu Lam's delivery is on 🔥 Want to stay up all night for this!
pickI definitely recommend obeying the title's command - the audiobook is so great!! Though honestly I listened rather quickly because both the book and the performance were too good to step away from for long. 😉
pickWhat a lovely little book this was. I read this for the Book Riot #readharder challenge. Twelve year old Mai's parents send her to Vietnam to learn more about her roots and I really enjoyed taking the journey with her. Also, I love the beautiful cover!
pickSome great books are ruined by the audio. This case is the opposite. I don't think I'd have appreciated or enjoyed this anywhere near as much if I didn't have the superb narrator for the Vietnamese portions and the accented English. Earthy yet haunting story about crossing back over the miles and the years. Ancient and evergreen. Pitch perfect for older and younger lovers of good writing.
pickI was nearly driven crazy by hunger, but I persevered, frequented my local pho shop until they knew my order by heart, and got through this funny, beautiful book. I loved the voice of whip smart Mai, and her story made me chuckle as I recalled memories of visiting my family in Singapore as a teen.
pickThis started out as a bit too much "whiny teenager" for me, but the middle and end part of the book quickly redeemed that. The language in this book is beautiful. And I love the scenes between Mai and her grandmother. These are truly the core of the book: Mai's growing respect for her grandmother and Vietnam as they visit her grandmother's birth village together. #diversereads #diversebooks
“I tell you of loss, my child, so you will listen, slowly, and know that in life every emotion is fated to rear itself within your being. Don‘t judge it proper or ugly. It‘s simply there and yours. When you should happen to cry, then cry, knowing that just as easily you will laugh again and cry again. Your feelings will enter the currents of your core and there they shall remain.”
