Review Detail

A Year Without Home is a middle-grade novel in verse based on author V.T. Bidania’s family. It focuses on eleven-year-old Gao Sheng and her family as they flee their home in Laos after the Vietnam War and seek refuge in Thailand.



What I Liked: I absolutely adore a novel in verse. They are incredibly engaging, especially for reluctant readers who appreciate the "white space" on the page, the concise language, and the fast pace. While the story spans an entire year, Bidania’s pacing makes the journey feel urgent and immediate.

The book takes place in the aftermath of Vietnam and goes into a bit of detail on the Hmong people and the secret war. I love historical fiction and have not read much that takes place during this time period, so reading this story was a bit of an interesting history lesson. The emotions throughout the book are palpable; I could feel Gao Sheng’s grief over leaving her home and her fear during the trek to Thailand. Bidania’s writing creates an instant, deep connection to the characters.



I also appreciated the exploration of gender dynamics within Gao Sheng’s traditional family. At the start, she is burdened with chores and childcare while her younger brother enjoys more freedom and status. However, during their year in the refugee camp, we see Gao Sheng realize that her voice truly matters. A particularly moving moment occurs near the end when she overhears her mother and aunts describing her as smart, kind, and strong.

Ultimately, A Year Without Home is a heartbreaking yet deeply inspiring story of resilience.