About Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War
2013 Red Cedar Information Book Award Winner
2013 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Nonfiction Award runner-up
2013 Cybils Award shortlist
2013 Cooperative Children's Book Centre Award shortlist
2012 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist
2012 Hamilton Literary Children's and Young Adult Award shortlist
2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection
2013 Bank Street Best Book selection
2012 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection
2012 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection
"Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience."—Kirkus Reviews
"An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again."—Horn Book Magazine
"The author tells Tuyet's story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life."—School Library Journal
"Tuyet's remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it's her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating."—Booklist
"Last Airlift is the story of an heroic deed, of one young girl's courage and resourcefulness when she most needs it, and of the ending she could not foresee...Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine
"[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate."—Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
"Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch never strays from Tuyet's child-centered perspective in recounting her experiences. In an author's note, Skrypuch describes interviewing Tuyet (obviously now an adult), who found that she remembered more and more of the past as she talked. Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it."—Cooperative Center for Children's Book Choices
"Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details."—Smithsonian Institute Book Dragon
"Black and white photographs and documents supplement this biographical tale. Told from the point of view of this eight year old girl, the story is quite informative and compelling. Readers who enjoy biographies will find much to admire in Tuyet."—Youth Services Book Review
About Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War
2013 Red Cedar Information Book Award Winner
2013 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Nonfiction Award runner-up
2013 Cybils Award shortlist
2013 Cooperative Children's Book Centre Award shortlist
2012 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist
2012 Hamilton Literary Children's and Young Adult Award shortlist
2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection
2013 Bank Street Best Book selection
2012 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection
2012 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection
"Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience."— Kirkus Reviews
"An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again ."— Horn Book Magazine
"The author tells Tuyet's story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life."— School Library Journal
"Tuyet's remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it's her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating."— Booklist
" Last Airlift is the story of an heroic deed, of one young girl's courage and resourcefulness when she most needs it, and of the ending she could not foresee...Highly Recommended."— CM Magazine
"[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate."— Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
"Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch never strays from Tuyet's child-centered perspective in recounting her experiences. In an author's note, Skrypuch describes interviewing Tuyet (obviously now an adult), who found that she remembered more and more of the past as she talked. Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it."— Cooperative Center for Children's Book Choices
"Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details."— Smithsonian Institute Book Dragon
"Black and white photographs and documents supplement this biographical tale. Told from the point of view of this eight year old girl, the story is quite informative and compelling. Readers who enjoy biographies will find much to admire in Tuyet."— Youth Services Book Review
Last Airlift is the story of an heroic deed, of one young girl's courage and resourcefulness when she most needs it, and of the ending she could not foresee . . . **Highly Recommended.**
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch never strays from Tuyet's child-centered perspective in recounting her experiences. In an author's note, Skrypuch describes interviewing Tuyet (obviously now an adult), who found that she remembered more and more of the past as she talked. Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it.
Cooperative Center for Children's Books Choices
[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate.
Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
Tuyet's remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it's her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating.
Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details.
Smithsonian Institute Book Dragon
An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again.
"Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it."
Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
"This biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This short narrative reads like a well-written novel, but it's the true story of Tuyet Son Thi Anh, a young girl who endured polio and war, and who was flown out of Saigon in 1975 by Americans, at the end of the Vietnam War...Her memories, as told to the author, are fascinating and poignant...Highly recommended!"
The Westfield Booktalker blog
"Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details."
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program blog
"Skrypuch's gift is her ability to tell stories of under-privileged children in faraway lands. Tuyet's biography demonstrates her talent...Tuyet's story is an excellent example of the biography genre for young student; a multi-cultural perspective on being an immigrant child in Canada, and also a snapshot of a child's life during the war. This biography is a useful source for discovering the ethnic makeup of a local community and the background of an immigrant Canadian. Highly recommended."
"Skrypuch's prose is intimate and compelling, the many personal touches make the story come alive... Both dialogue and many wonderful photographs enliven the story. Young readers will find Last Airlift suspenseful and interesting. It will take them to a time and place they may not have heard of, but which will resonate for them through Tuyet's longing for a family to call her own."
"Skrypuch, tells the true story of how this little girl is transported to Toronto and finds a loving home. She makes us feel Tuyet's fears, confusion and loneliness as she adjusts to her new home."
This biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate.
The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
Gr 3–6—Tuyet had little memory of her life before going to the orphanage where, at eight, she was one of the oldest children. She ate fish and rice, drank water, and could not remember ever seeing the sky. Her scars were from burns and injuries she could not remember, and polio left her leg weak. In April 1975, Tuyet's life changed forever as she became part of the last Canadian airlift operation to leave Saigon. Along with 56 babies and toddlers, Tuyet was flown first to Hong Kong and then to Canada where she was adopted by a loving family, something she had never known. The author tells Tuyet's story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life. Archival and family photos are included throughout, as are a historical note explaining the circumstances surrounding the airlift and an author's note with follow-up information about Tuyet. Her story will appeal to a broad range of readers.—Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD
As Saigon was falling to the North Vietnamese in April 1975, those who were caring for babies and children orphaned by the war worried about the fate of their charges. A series of evacuation flights called "Operation Babylift" carried several thousand young children to other countries around the world. Skrypuch (Daughter of War , 2008) tells the story of the last Canadian airlift through the memories of one child, Son Thi Anh Tuyet. Nearly 8 years old, the sad-eyed girl on the cover had lived nearly all her life in a Catholic orphanage. With no warning, she and a number of the institution babies were taken away, placed on an airplane and flown to a new world. Tuyet's memories provide poignant, specific details. The nuns expected her to be useful; she helped with the babies. Naturally, she assumed that John and Dorothy Morris had chosen her to help with their three children; instead, she had acquired a family. In an afterword, the author describes her research, including personal interviews and newspaper accounts from the time. But Tuyet's experience is her focus. It personalizes the babylift without sensationalizing it. The author has researched carefully and reported accurately, except where South Vietnam's soldiers are called Viet Cong. Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience. (historical note, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 10-15)
About Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War
2013 Red Cedar Information Book Award Winner
2013 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Nonfiction Award runner-up
2013 Cybils Award shortlist
2013 Cooperative Children's Book Centre Award shortlist
2012 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award shortlist
2012 Hamilton Literary Children's and Young Adult Award shortlist
2018 The Booklist Reader "The Refugee Experience for Children and Young Adults" selection
2013 Bank Street Best Book selection
2012 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection
2012 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection
"Immediate and compelling, this moving refugee story deserves a wide audience."—Kirkus Reviews
"An excellent first step on the ladder that leads to such fine immigrant tales as Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again ."—Horn Book Magazine
"The author tells Tuyet's story with respect and dignity, introducing readers to a brave girl caught up in the turbulent times of her country, her fears of leaving what she knew, and the joy of finding a new life."—School Library Journal
"Tuyet's remarkable true story recounts the heroic rescue on a plane bigger than her orphanage, with babies hurriedly placed in cardboard boxes and an unknown future for all. With the new foods, her own bed, eating with a fork, using a toothbrush (instead of her fingers and some salt), walking on grass (instead of rice paddies), and learning that the lights in the nighttime sky are stars instead of bombs, it's her adjustment to a foreign land and an adopted family that proves most fascinating."—Booklist
"Last Airlift is the story of an heroic deed, of one young girl's courage and resourcefulness when she most needs it, and of the ending she could not foresee...Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine
"[The] biographical approach helps to humanize a war that, for most readers, may seem like ancient history, and the tight focus on the airlift and Tuyet's first days with the Morrises reminds readers that they are sharing the experiences of an agemate."—Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
"Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch never strays from Tuyet's child-centered perspective in recounting her experiences. In an author's note, Skrypuch describes interviewing Tuyet (obviously now an adult), who found that she remembered more and more of the past as she talked. Dialogue takes this narrative out of the category of pure nonfiction, but Tuyet's story, with its occasional black-and-white illustrations, is no less affecting because of it."—Cooperative Center for Children's Book Choices
"Enhanced with documents and a surprising number of photographs, Airlift is a touching, multi-layered experience. The strength of Skrypuch's storytelling shows strongest in the smallest details."—Smithsonian Institute Book Dragon
"Black and white photographs and documents supplement this biographical tale. Told from the point of view of this eight year old girl, the story is quite informative and compelling. Readers who enjoy biographies will find much to admire in Tuyet."—Youth Services Book Review
