I Am Both: A Vietnamese Refugee Story

A picture book inspired by the author’s family’s journey on the last flight out of Saigon, I Am Both is a compelling exploration of identity, immigration, and family.

We zip through the city listening to the music of the street.

I hear the swish swoosh of the baskets and the clink clank of the passing bikes.

For Hương, life in Saigon, Vietnam is mostly normal―at least, as normal as it can be while a war is going on. But when her family decides to take the last flight out of the country to build a new life in America, Hương worries about missing her home. Through new friends and old traditions, Hương learns that no matter where we go, the smell of home and the taste of love can happen anywhere, as long as we have our family.

In this timely and hopeful story of immigration, author/illustrator Kerisa Greene captures the vibrancy of life in both Vietnam and America with wonderfully textured illustrations and descriptions of the sights and sounds of each country. Fun and educational backmatter includes the true story behind Hương’s journey and a glossary of Vietnamese terms.