The civil war in Burma has been raging for years. Chiko lives with his mother, having so far avoided the government conscription of middle-grade boys to fight in the army. Reading illicit materials like A Tale of Two Cities in his free time, Chiko hopes to become a teacher. After being tricked into the Burmese Army, he must use his wits and friendships to succeed in the bamboo-packed Burmese jungle.
On the other side of the war, Tu Reh fights in the Karenni army for revenge. On a mission with his father, he encounters an injured Burmese Soldier. His decision forever changes his attitude toward his enemies and changes the Karenni village in which he lives.
Mitali Perkins writes with a clear straightforward prose, keeping the plot clear. Instead of telling both character’s stories in alternating chapters, Tu Reh’s narration picks up at the event that Chiko’s ends. This made the reading much smoother and clearer. Furthermore, Perkins keeps the reading level at a middle grade without oversimplifying the experiences of Chiko and Tu Reh. Despite being a war novel, Bamboo People limits graphic violence but does not shy away from death. Perkins shares just enough detail to inform the reader of the nature of wounds without sharing specific details.
Bamboo People is an excellent read but does not age with the reader. Best for middle-schoolers or early high-schoolers (11-15 years old), this book is a must-check-out from your local library. Perkins shares an inspiring story in a well-made package, but this package is best borrowed, not bought.
If you liked this book, you might like Elephant Run by Roland Smith (A young teen tries to reach his father in Japanese-occupied Burma during World War II), A Long Way Gone – Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (a tween boy is recruited to fight in Sierra Leone’s civil war), or A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac (a recounting of Sitting Bulls life with a focus on his childhood).
Recommended Titles
Elephant Run, Roland Smith
A Long Way Gone – Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah
A Boy Called Slow, Joseph Bruchac
The civil war in Burma has been raging for years. Chiko lives with his mother, having so far avoided the government conscription of middle-grade boys to fight in the army. Reading illicit materials like A Tale of Two Cities in his free time, Chiko hopes to become a teacher. After being tricked into the Burmese Army, he must use his wits and friendships to succeed in the bamboo-packed Burmese jungle.
On the other side of the war, Tu Reh fights in the Karenni army for revenge. On a mission with his father, he encounters an injured Burmese Soldier. His decision forever changes his attitude toward his enemies and changes the Karenni village in which he lives.
Mitali Perkins writes with a clear straightforward prose, keeping the plot clear. Instead of telling both character’s stories in alternating chapters, Tu Reh’s narration picks up at the event that Chiko’s ends. This made the reading much smoother and clearer. Furthermore, Perkins keeps the reading level at a middle grade without oversimplifying the experiences of Chiko and Tu Reh. Despite being a war novel, Bamboo People limits graphic violence but does not shy away from death. Perkins shares just enough detail to inform the reader of the nature of wounds without sharing specific details.
Bamboo People is an excellent read but does not age with the reader. Best for middle-schoolers or early high-schoolers (11-15 years old), this book is a must-check-out from your local library. Perkins shares an inspiring story in a well-made package, but this package is best borrowed, not bought.
If you liked this book, you might like Elephant Run by Roland Smith (A young teen tries to reach his father in Japanese-occupied Burma during World War II), A Long Way Gone – Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (a tween boy is recruited to fight in Sierra Leone’s civil war), or A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac (a recounting of Sitting Bulls life with a focus on his childhood).
Recommended Titles
Elephant Run, Roland Smith
A Long Way Gone – Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah
A Boy Called Slow, Joseph Bruchac
