Paperback, 331 pages, 8.5X5.5, English
by Toua Tony Lee
ISBN:  979-8991137607

Amid the Secret War in Laos, ten-year-old Toua, a young Hmong boy, is torn from his family and thrust into a world far beyond the innocence of childhood. This memoir chronicles his harrowing journey of resilience and survival against a conflict that many were unaware of, as the Hmong people stood alongside Americans in the shadows of the Vietnam War.

Hidden within the unforgiving jungle’s embrace, the boy finds solace and a sense of belonging among a rebel group known as ChaoFa, or the Hmong Freedom Fighters. Together, they navigate the perilous terrain of warfare and the heavy burden of survival and moral dilemmas. Despite camaraderie and purpose, he is plagued by a yearning for his family and a sense of displacement, his soul marked by the trials of war.

In his darkest moments, contemplating the escape of death over the pain of existence, a glimmer of unwavering hope and the dream of family reunion guides him through the darkness. The North Star, known as the Bright Star to the Hmong, becomes his beacon, steering him through his final journey to refuge.

This memoir is not just a tale of survival; it’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of a young boy caught in the maelstrom of war. It’s a story of unbreakable family bonds, the transformative power of hope, and the relentless resilience of the human spirit. Through the eyes of a child, we witness the cost of freedom, the price of survival, and the enduring strength of the human heart.

• Tweet