I Am Both
Book Summary:
I Am Both tells the true story of a Vietnamese refugee child who escapes war with his family and begins a new life in the United States. Through simple yet powerful language, the book explores living between two identities—Vietnamese and American—while navigating loss, resilience, and belonging. The story emphasizes that identity can hold multiple truths at the same time.
Recommended Questions:
How does the main character’s identity change over time, and how does it stay the same?
Why did the family have to leave Vietnam, and how did that decision affect them emotionally and physically?
What challenges did the family face when adjusting to life in a new country?
Why do you think the father offered the main character the option to change their name? Why is it important that this decision belonged to the child and was not made for them?
Analyze both the text and the illustrations. What similarities and differences do you notice between the two towns where the family lives?
Why is it important that the main character can be “both” and does not have to choose one identity over another?
How can communities help newcomers feel welcome, supported, and included?
Read the author’s note to learn how this storyline is a simplified version of the author’s own experience. Research the Vietnam War, along with “Mercy Flights” and the “Last Flight Out.” How does this historical context deepen your understanding of the story?
NCSS Theme 1: Culture
This book explores how culture, language, and traditions shape identity. Students learn how individuals maintain cultural connections while adapting to new environments. The story helps learners understand that culture is dynamic and that people can belong to more than one cultural world at once.
Social Justice Anchor Standard 1: Identity grounded in membership in multiple groups
I Am Both affirms that individuals can belong to multiple cultural, national, and family identities at the same time. The story helps students understand that they do not have to choose one identity over another; instead, they are a unique blend of identities across multiple groups. By centering pride, resilience, and belonging, the book supports students in developing a positive self-understanding rooted in all parts of who they are.
WA Social Studies Skills 2: Uses inquiry-based research
I Am Both provides a meaningful entry point for inquiry-based research about the Vietnam War and its impact on civilians. Students can generate questions about why families fled Vietnam, how war affected everyday life, and why people became refugees, then investigate these questions using multiple sources. The book encourages learners to connect personal narratives to historical research, helping them understand how large-scale events like war shape individual lives and migration experiences.
