Mali Under the Night Sky

A Lao Story of Home
By Youme Nguyen Ly
Paperback: $12.95

A child finds comfort in the memories of the landscapes and traditions of the beautiful homeland she was forced to leave.

Description

Mali Under the Night Sky is the true story of Lao American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao. Due to wars that were not contained by borders, she and her family had to leave their home in Laos. Before the war changed everything, Mali lived an idyllic life in a community where she felt safe and loved. She enjoyed sitting in front of her house and asking everyone who passed by, “Where are you going?” She went everywhere too–climbing on flowering trees, searching for pale bamboo shoots in the dark forest, and catching fish in rice fields. But when she was five years old, her family had to cross the Mekong River into Thailand to be safe. She remembers the journey, as well as the beauty and strength of Lao culture.

Through warm and accessible watercolor illustrations, author-illustrator Youme shows readers the joyful memories of home that carried Mali through the heartbreak of leaving it.

About the Creators

Youme Nguyen Ly

Youme grew up loving stories. She has lived and worked as a community artist in New York, New Haven, Miami, Woods Hole, San Francisco, Kenya, Japan, Lao P.D.R., Vietnam, St. John, U.S.V.I., Haiti, and Cuba. Youme's books include Selavi (That Is Life): A Haitian Story of Hope, Mali Under the Night Sky: A Lao Story of Home, and Pitch Black with Anthony Horton. She is drawn to stories of survival and champions for social justice. Youme lives in an ever-changing location with her partner and their two children.

Reviews

  • "A Laotian girl's life takes a cruel turn in this haunting yet hopeful tale based on the childhood of Laotian-American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao. Sunny watercolors with patterned borders illuminate the simple joys of Mali's early life, when the world was 'full of wonderful things.' . . . Landowne smoothly includes several Laotian words and phrases in this deeply felt and gently told story."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "The focus remains tightly on Mali's experiences and feelings, keeping it accessible to young readers. . . An additional endnote by another Laotian artist provides historical context. Laotian vocabulary is incorporated in a natural way, and the illustrations include Laotian script. The watercolor illustrations, while naive in style, convey a real sense of place. Intricate borders surround every spread, and the bright/dark color schemes reflect the emotions of each scene."

    - School Library Journal
  • "The small child's viewpoint will move young readers, and a final photo shows the real Mali, an artist and activist, today."

    - Booklist

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781643796598
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Nov 07, 2023
  • Trim Size 9 × 9 in
  • Weight 0.4125 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Imprint Cinco Puntos Press
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Social Topics / Emigration & Immigration
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Social Topics / Violence
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / History / Asia
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Biography / Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Courage, Families, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Refugees, War
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 5 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades K - 4
  • Guided Reading Q
  • ATOS Book Level 3.9
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades K - 4
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 640
  • Reading Level Grades 4 - 5
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy