Our Choice outstanding book selection, CCBC
Outstanding Book, Parent Council
In this exquisitely wrought tale, young Van finds a walking stick at the foot of a huge teak tree. Blessed by Buddha, it becomes his talisman, his life long link to the past, and the support he will need to carry him into the uncertain future. For when the winds change blow, not even the deep forest of Vietnam remain safe. With the walking stick and his indomitable spirit, Van leads his family to safety and new land. Though the years pass in peace, the ever-present tap, tapping at the brass-tipped walking stick is Van's constant reminder of the customs, voices, and land he will always remember with love. When the stick's long odyssey is finally over, it is Van's granddaughter who carries it home and places it at Buddha's feet.
The Walking Stick is a tribute to all those who must see beyond the next hill.
