★ "... Perkins seamlessly blends cultural, political, religious, and philosophical context into her story, which is distinguished by humor, astute insights into human nature, and memorable characters ... As Chiko and Tu Reh wrestle with prejudices of culture and class, Perkins delivers a graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship under untenable circumstances." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"While Perkins doesn’t sugarcoat her subject—coming of age in a brutal, fascistic society—this is a gentle story with a lot of heart, more suitable for younger readers than the subject matter might suggest. It answers the question, 'What is it like to be a child soldier?' clearly, but with hope. " — Kirkus Reviews
"While displacement camps and military maneuvers are not the trappings of your standard touchy-feely 'do the right thing' tale, they bring a sense of hard-edged reality to Mitali Perkins’ Bamboo People, an intriguing and insightful story about two boys learning how to become men in the midst of chaos." — BookPage
"Mitali Perkins has written something here that is so fine, so rare, so beautiful, that I am loath to move on to another book too quickly because I want to think and remember and savor this exquisite story ... This is such a powerful and emotional story. Told in Chiko's and Tu Reh's voices, the chapters are short which keeps the story moving and will keep readers at all levels engaged. This is a beautiful tale of faith and hope. I am pondering now the best way to booktalk it. Kids MUST find this book." — Camille Powell, Bookmoot
"As an adult, I found Bamboo People to be an excellent read. The characters are interesting, and grow over the course of the book. The conflicts the characters face feel genuine. I avidly read the second half of the book in one sitting. I used to read that way a lot (science fiction, Tolstoy, etc.), but I haven't in a long while. Bamboo People reminded me of why I love to read." — Robert Abrams, Explore Dance
"This fascinating story shines a light on the desperate situation of those affected by current Burmese policies and will help educate young readers about that situation in particular and the vagaries and confusion surrounding conflict in general. The characters, Perkins’ first male protagonists, are very thoughtful, easy to engage with, and surprisingly similar. In fact, as a reader, it felt as if Tu Reh and Chiko could have been the same person had circumstances not shaped their lives so differently. This juxtaposition is absolutely brilliant and illustrates the point that war makes enemies out of people who, in a different context, would become the best of friends." — Abigail Sawyer, PaperTigers.org
"I was transported to Burma and experienced the lives of two child soldiers and their families who are on opposite sides of the conflict there. What an excellent book for all of us adults to read ourselves and then to discuss with children in the upper elementary grades, the target audience for the book." — Carol Rasco, CEO, Reading is Fundamental
"...A story that invites discussion of the realities of warfare rooted in long-standing antagonisms and unreasoning hatred of 'the other.' A particularly good book for classroom use." — Michael Cart, ALA Booklist
"The author paints war in all of its gradations of gray, including the people who influence those decisions, both powerful and seemingly powerless. Readers will leave this moving story—half from Chiko's first-person narrative, and half narrated by Tu Reh—with the understanding that everyone has a choice, no matter how dire the circumstances." —Jennifer M. Brown, Shelf Awareness
"In this classic coming of age story in a setting almost unimaginable to the American reader, Perkins tells the story of Burma at war ... Through the eyes of these two young men we experience violence, prejudice and the abuse of power as well as what courage and heroism really mean." -- Shirley Mullin, Bookseller, Kids Ink, Indianapolis, IN, recommending the book as a Summer Indie Next Pick.
"The characters are just right for the book’s purpose, namely to illuminate an ethnic minority military rebellion against an oppressive majority military dictatorship ... The book would make a great vehicle for class discussion, as its themes of oppression and rebellion are played out again and again, from Burma to Bolivia, from Afghanistan to Star Wars." — Carol Chittenden, Bookseller, Eight Cousins, Falmouth, Ma
"I found a quiet corner here today to sit and begin reading the book. Before I knew it, the time had flown past and I was nearing the end of the story ... Perkins gives readers a glimpse into what it means to be a hero. As Tolkien observes: a hero does not return home unscarred. Readers will not return from this book without a new sense of the geopolitics of modern day Burma (Myanmar). War and the effects of war have long been themes explored by books. Perkins offers tweens and teens a chance to ponder these global themes from a developmentally appropriate perspective." — Teri Lesesne, aka Professor Nana, Professor of Children's and YA literature and experienced middle school teacher.
"Perkins gives engaging, real voices to her characters who pull you along with them on their often-terrifying ride through a tense situation ... Excellent for reluctant and guy readers." — Lizz Zitron, Librarian
"The voice is the magic of this story. It is first person, present tense. It is deceptively simple. It seemed to be setting me up for a much gentler story, but soon that simple and honest voice began to speak of terrible things ... In fact, as the worlds of Chiko and Tu Reh descend further and further into madness, as fear and anger grow into bravery and compassion and friendship, this simplicity of voice seems to grow even more fitting. This is elegant storytelling." — Bruce Wishart, Blogger
"The story was, as I expected, very original. I also liked the style of writing, which I think will appeal to guy readers too. A highly recommended read for every young reader!" — Marjolein Book Blog
"An excellent and compelling book set in modern Burma ... The story resonates with the universal themes of honor and friendship that are easily accessible to upper elementary and middle school readers." — Linda Griset, Librarian, Pike School, Andover, Ma
"Bamboo People is a special book, one I'd like to see children read to learn about other cultures, to understand the devastation of power and conflict, to believe in courage and friendship." — Vivian Mahoney, reviewer and blogger
The author with three young Karenni newly arrived in Portland, Maine:
doc: bamboopeople.org
"While Perkins doesn’t sugarcoat her subject—coming of age in a brutal, fascistic society—this is a gentle story with a lot of heart, more suitable for younger readers than the subject matter might suggest. It answers the question, 'What is it like to be a child soldier?' clearly, but with hope. " — Kirkus Reviews
"While displacement camps and military maneuvers are not the trappings of your standard touchy-feely 'do the right thing' tale, they bring a sense of hard-edged reality to Mitali Perkins’ Bamboo People, an intriguing and insightful story about two boys learning how to become men in the midst of chaos." — BookPage
"Mitali Perkins has written something here that is so fine, so rare, so beautiful, that I am loath to move on to another book too quickly because I want to think and remember and savor this exquisite story ... This is such a powerful and emotional story. Told in Chiko's and Tu Reh's voices, the chapters are short which keeps the story moving and will keep readers at all levels engaged. This is a beautiful tale of faith and hope. I am pondering now the best way to booktalk it. Kids MUST find this book." — Camille Powell, Bookmoot
"As an adult, I found Bamboo People to be an excellent read. The characters are interesting, and grow over the course of the book. The conflicts the characters face feel genuine. I avidly read the second half of the book in one sitting. I used to read that way a lot (science fiction, Tolstoy, etc.), but I haven't in a long while. Bamboo People reminded me of why I love to read." — Robert Abrams, Explore Dance
"This fascinating story shines a light on the desperate situation of those affected by current Burmese policies and will help educate young readers about that situation in particular and the vagaries and confusion surrounding conflict in general. The characters, Perkins’ first male protagonists, are very thoughtful, easy to engage with, and surprisingly similar. In fact, as a reader, it felt as if Tu Reh and Chiko could have been the same person had circumstances not shaped their lives so differently. This juxtaposition is absolutely brilliant and illustrates the point that war makes enemies out of people who, in a different context, would become the best of friends." — Abigail Sawyer, PaperTigers.org
"I was transported to Burma and experienced the lives of two child soldiers and their families who are on opposite sides of the conflict there. What an excellent book for all of us adults to read ourselves and then to discuss with children in the upper elementary grades, the target audience for the book." — Carol Rasco, CEO, Reading is Fundamental
"...A story that invites discussion of the realities of warfare rooted in long-standing antagonisms and unreasoning hatred of 'the other.' A particularly good book for classroom use." — Michael Cart, ALA Booklist
"The author paints war in all of its gradations of gray, including the people who influence those decisions, both powerful and seemingly powerless. Readers will leave this moving story—half from Chiko's first-person narrative, and half narrated by Tu Reh—with the understanding that everyone has a choice, no matter how dire the circumstances." —Jennifer M. Brown, Shelf Awareness
"In this classic coming of age story in a setting almost unimaginable to the American reader, Perkins tells the story of Burma at war ... Through the eyes of these two young men we experience violence, prejudice and the abuse of power as well as what courage and heroism really mean." -- Shirley Mullin, Bookseller, Kids Ink, Indianapolis, IN, recommending the book as a Summer Indie Next Pick.
"The characters are just right for the book’s purpose, namely to illuminate an ethnic minority military rebellion against an oppressive majority military dictatorship ... The book would make a great vehicle for class discussion, as its themes of oppression and rebellion are played out again and again, from Burma to Bolivia, from Afghanistan to Star Wars." — Carol Chittenden, Bookseller, Eight Cousins, Falmouth, Ma
"I found a quiet corner here today to sit and begin reading the book. Before I knew it, the time had flown past and I was nearing the end of the story ... Perkins gives readers a glimpse into what it means to be a hero. As Tolkien observes: a hero does not return home unscarred. Readers will not return from this book without a new sense of the geopolitics of modern day Burma (Myanmar). War and the effects of war have long been themes explored by books. Perkins offers tweens and teens a chance to ponder these global themes from a developmentally appropriate perspective." — Teri Lesesne, aka Professor Nana, Professor of Children's and YA literature and experienced middle school teacher.
"Perkins gives engaging, real voices to her characters who pull you along with them on their often-terrifying ride through a tense situation ... Excellent for reluctant and guy readers." — Lizz Zitron, Librarian
"The voice is the magic of this story. It is first person, present tense. It is deceptively simple. It seemed to be setting me up for a much gentler story, but soon that simple and honest voice began to speak of terrible things ... In fact, as the worlds of Chiko and Tu Reh descend further and further into madness, as fear and anger grow into bravery and compassion and friendship, this simplicity of voice seems to grow even more fitting. This is elegant storytelling." — Bruce Wishart, Blogger
"The story was, as I expected, very original. I also liked the style of writing, which I think will appeal to guy readers too. A highly recommended read for every young reader!" — Marjolein Book Blog
"An excellent and compelling book set in modern Burma ... The story resonates with the universal themes of honor and friendship that are easily accessible to upper elementary and middle school readers." — Linda Griset, Librarian, Pike School, Andover, Ma
"Bamboo People is a special book, one I'd like to see children read to learn about other cultures, to understand the devastation of power and conflict, to believe in courage and friendship." — Vivian Mahoney, reviewer and blogger
The author with three young Karenni newly arrived in Portland, Maine:
doc: bamboopeople.org
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