Onion Tears (Paperback)

by Diana Kidd (Author), Lucy Montgomery (Illustrator) "Auntie gets really mad at me when I leave my room in a mess..." (more)
Key Phrases: little yellow canary, little duck, Miss Lily, Chu Minh, Phantom House

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Through first-person narration, Kidd sensitively and eloquently conveys the thoughts of a young Vietnamese refugee who has found a new home in Australia with a kindly restaurateur. At the beginning of the book, Nam-Huong is unable to laugh, cry or verbalize her feelings to others; in her own words, she is like the wooden duck given to her by her beloved grandfather, who has recently died. No one knows how much she misses him and the other members of her family, with whom she has lost contact. Eventually, an understanding teacher helps Nam-Huong break through her shield of silence and reexperienceok the pleasures of being alive. Emerging as a mosaic of memories and observations, this concisely wrought novel proves highly effective in revealing how the narrator's past affects her ability to adapt to a new environment. Even if readers cannot relate to the atrocities Nam-Huong has endured, they will feel the depth of her sorrow and will come to understand her reluctance to reestablishok bonds of trust. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-- Nam-Huong, a young Vietnamese girl, tries to adjust to her new life in Australia where she lives with a kind Vietnamese woman she calls Auntie. Children at school try to make friends with Nam but, haunted by memories of her family missing in Vietnam, she rejects their overtures. In time, with the help of her understanding teacher and supported by Auntie and her friend Chu Minh, she is able to come to terms with the terrifying experiences of her past and accept her new life while maintaining precious memories of her family. The story is sympathetic and well told, giving children an idea of how noncombatants, in this case a little girl, suffered during the Vietnam Conflict. If most of the characters are a bit flat, Nam herself comes across as a believable child. The Little Weaver of Thai-Yen Village (Children's Book Pr, 1987) by Tran-Khanh-Tuyet also provides a forceful glimpse of the Vietnam War from a child's perspective. Pleasing pencil sketches, many full-page, make the book more accessible to those just beginning chapter books. --Phyllis G. Sidorsky, National Cathedral School, Washington, DC
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688118623
• ISBN-13: 978-0688118624
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #835,973 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book!, June 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Onion Tears (Hardcover)

I loved this book; it shows a girl of great courage coping with grief. Even though it is sad in parts, it is about healing and is immensely positive. I highly recommend it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is from the back of the soft cover book!!!!, October 15, 2002

By	"beach_gal12" (Australia) - See all my reviews

The swallows are here again. They have come south looking for summer. Did they fly over my country? Did they see my mum amd dad? Did they see my little yellow canary?

Nam-Huong cries lots of onion tears...It's only when she laens to smile inside, andd finally laugh, that her tears fall like drops of dew.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Onion Tears, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Onion Tears (Hardcover)

Onion tears is written by Diana Kidd and is about Nam - Hong who losses her family in war it is set in a restarant and a school The main characters are Nam-Hong ,Chin Min , Miss Lilly and Aunty. Nam-Hong has a bucket of feelings .She losses her family in war when she is very young and she lives with a lady she calls aunty .She has only ever cried onoin tears .Will she ever cry real tears? Onion Tears would be recomended for children aged 8 and over because of its realistic matters . Onion Tears is a sad and emoional book.