My Father, the Panda Killer

Written by Jamie Jo Hoang

Meet Jane, a teen in California coming to grips with the culture brought by her parents, who escaped a war-torn Vietnam. At first, Jane recoils from the cold, harsh treatment from her parents and doesn’t want anything to do with her heritage, attempting to distance herself as much as she can from anything considered Vietnamese. Finding herself taking care of her little brother, Jane learns more of her parents’ dark past and approaches the daunting task of reconciling her feelings about them.

The book is emotionally impactful and hits hard with exquisite prose describing heart-rending trauma. The author offers an honest and bold view of the human capacity for viciousness, unbridled hatred, untempered anger, betrayal, and reconciliation.

Reviewed by Will Walden, Library Technology Coach, Cyprus High School
Review shared in December 2023
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 9-12

My Father, the Panda Killer
Written by Jamie Jo Hoang
Crown Books
361 pages
Release Date: August 29, 2023
ISBN: 9780593642962
A review copy was provided by the publisher.

Tags:

2023 YA Fiction, Asian Americans Fiction, California Fiction, Fathers and Daughters Fiction, Generational Trauma Fiction, Historical Fiction, Multigenerational Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Refugees Fiction, Teenagers Fiction, Vietnam Boat People Fiction, Vietnam Fiction, Vietnamese Americans Fiction, Will Walden