The Cricket War - by Tho Pham & Sandra McTavish (Hardcover)

About the Book

"As a twelve-year-old boy growing up in South Vietnam, Thòo has heard of other boys disappearing from time to time, smuggled out of the country so they wouldn't have to be conscripted into the Communist army. But Thòo is too young to worry about any of that. He spends his afternoons cricket fighting and playing soccer with his friends. Until one day, he finds out that his parents have arranged for him to leave the country -- alone. What follows is a harrowing journey on the South China Sea, as Thòo encounters pirate attacks, hunger and loneliness, not knowing where he will end up or if he will ever see his family again. Based on real-life events, The Cricket War is a touching story of hope, courage and resilience in the face of tragedy."--

Book Synopsis

A gripping story of a boy's escape from Communist Vietnam by boat, based on the author's own experience.

It's 1980, and 12-year-old Tho Pham lives with his family in South Vietnam. He spends his afternoons playing soccer and cricket fighting with his friends, but life is slowly changing under the Communists. His parents are worried, and Tho knows the Communist army will soon knock on their door to make his brother, and then him, join them. Still, it shocks him when his father says that arrangements have been made for him to leave Vietnam by boat, immediately. Tho tries to be brave as he sets out on a harrowing journey toward the unknown.

Co-authors Tho Pham and Sandra McTavish, childhood friends, have loosely based this historical fiction novel on Tho's real-life experience as one of the Vietnamese Boat People, and have included many factual details from his journey on the South China Sea and in a Philippine refugee camp. Depictions of pirate attacks, hunger and loneliness make for a riveting survival story, sure to elicit empathy for refugees. Eventually adopted by a Canadian elementary school teacher, Tho's story is ultimately one of hope, courage and resilience. It's a valuable resource for social studies lessons on Asian culture and history, and on immigration.

Review Quotes

... a tale in which hope and human kindness leave lasting impression.--Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

In clipped and uncomplicated prose, Tho Pham tells the extraordinary story of his life as a young boy caught up in the currents of modern history ...--CM Magazine

Inspiring.--Booklist

This engaging, semifictionalized account is all the more dramatic for its resonance with so many refugees today.--Toronto Star

While the protagonist's journey is plagued by trauma and upheaval, and the authors detail Phạm's and other Vietnamese refugees' experiences to tear-jerking effect, the creators also offer comfort via joyful interactions throughout this carefully crafted, fast-paced read.--Publishers Weekly

A harrowing yet hopeful account of a compelling journey.--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Tho Pham left Vietnam alone at the age of 12, joining tens of thousands of refugees on boats and ships. After a two-month-long journey at sea and landing at a refugee camp in Palawan, Philippines, he was eventually adopted by a Canadian elementary school teacher. Tho lives in Ottawa with his family.
Sandra McTavish is a former high school English teacher and now works in educational publishing. She and her partner, Doug, divide their time between Toronto and his family farm in Ontario, where they have a few "pet" cows and barn cats.