Last Flight

February 1, 2023
A Vietnamese family's escape from impending war. In 1975 Saigon, a young girl--based on the author's older sister Linh--and her family cross a bustling street. It's intimidatingly busy, but Ba and Ma taught her, "Don't be afraid....Just walk. Don't stop." And with a deep breath, they make it. But soon the "slap slap of sandals" and "buzz hum of motorbikes" are joined by the new sounds of war--like warning whistles and booms. "Saigon is falling," and the family, like many others, attempts to leave. Drawing from her and her family's experience fleeing Vietnam, Mai Giang relied on accounts from Linh and others to tell this fictionalized story of the last commercial flight out of Saigon before its surrender to North Vietnam. Ba's company, Pan Am, promised to fly the family to America, but bureaucracy and logistics complicate things as conflict grows. With the help and kindness of others, including Ba's boss, Mr. Topping (who is Black), one last flight departs--with the protagonist and her family on it. Bringing the narrative full circle, with a deep breath, the family crosses the street to their new home. Mai Giang's sensory-filled prose gently and evocatively communicates a personal wartime story. Phumiruk's clean, soft illustrations, done in Photoshop and pencil, bring to life a gamut of emotions. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A moving and illuminating story of family, war, courage, and newfound home. (author's note, facts about the flight, photo of author and her family, bibliography) (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 15, 2023
Preschool-Grade 3 Soft illustrations and gentle text movingly capture a Vietnamese family's escape during wartime. The city, the author writes, was once a bustling song, but in 1975, "the song is ending" as the city falls. A family of eight, based on the author's own family, hopes to flee to America via the father's employer, Pan Am. As days pass, booms grow louder, and tear gas sometimes stings the children's eyes. Alas, only one more flight can leave, but there are strict requirements. Fortunately, Ba's employer is able to help the family and many others get on the plane. Like other passengers, the story's young protagonist must say goodbye to everything she ever knew. Combining both personal family details and fictionalized events, Giang creates a deeply touching story. Back matter, including an author's note and facts about the flight, adds additional layers and significance. Phumiruk's illustrations, created in pencil and colored with watercolor and acrylic overlays in Photoshop, capture rich emotions through expressive eyes and thoughtful contrast between bright and darkly colored scenes. A tender and powerful portrait of a harrowing, historic event.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 15, 2023
This 1975-set fictionalization—based on the author’s family’s experiences of boarding the final commercial flight out of Saigon—remains moving and powerful decades after the event. An unnamed child narrator describes navigating the city’s busy streets, which echo with the sounds of sandals and motorbikes. “Ba taught me,/ ‘Don’t be afraid.’/ Ma taught me,/ ‘Just walk. Don’t stop.’/ ...Somehow, we always made it.” When war brings new sounds, Ba, employed by Pan Am Airways, promises, “When it’s time, we will go to America.” But soon “Saigon is falling,” and after obstacles complicate the family’s departure, creativity and kindness help them get on the last flight. Digitally colored illustrations from Phumiruk render the landscape and figures in architectural detail, while lean, lyrical prose from Giang supplies a suspenseful full-circle arc. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8.