The Land I Lost:  Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam. Huynh Quang Nhuong

Publisher:  Harper and Row, 1982.  Awarded:  1985.

Synopsis:  The author tells the true stories of growing up in a village in the central highlands of Vietnam.  He tells of the exotic wildlife around him and the family who cared for him.

Themes:  Vietnam, childhood, autobiography, family, animal life.

Author Information:  http://www.harperchildrens.com/hch/parents/teachingguides/nhuong.pdf
 

Discussion Questions:  Standard 3, Benchmark 3.

1. What was your favorite memory or story?

2. Do you think a monkey would make a good pet?  Why or why not?

3. Huynh had to deal with the death of his water buffalo.  Have you ever lost a pet?  How did you deal with it?
 

Activities:

1. Research Vietnam at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/vm.html  Standard 1, Benchmark 5.

2. Draw a map of Vietnam and mark where the stories happened.  Standard 5, Benchmark 3.

3. Write a story about a happy or exciting memory of your own.  Standard 5, Benchmark 3.