Weeping Under This Same Moon
Through the story of these Vietnamese children and the American girl who befriends them, Jana Laiz shows us how faith and courage can overcome the worst hardship. One comes out of this beautifully written book feeling uplifted, reminding us that hope always springs eternal for all the children of the world. --Emmanuel Dongala, award winning author of Little Boys Come From The Stars & Johnny Mad Dog.  Weeping Under This Same Moon by Jana Laiz is a stunning achievement written with uncanny sympathy and intuition from the complementary perspectives of two teenage girls - one a Vietnamese refugee, the other a passionate yet unhappy American high school student - the book vividly portrays very different yet intersecting worlds. It is a moving, heartwarming, even inspiring book. I recommend it enthusiastically to readers of all ages and in particular to young adults. --George Rupp, President, The International Rescue Committee Weeping Under This Same Moon by Jana Laiz is an eye-opening powerhouse of a novel. Based on a true situation, it tells the converging stories of two teenage girls with very different backgrounds, living very different lives, both of them in a way refugees. Part One tells the very gripping story of Mei, a Vietnamese Boat Person making her way to asylum in America. Part Two portrays Hannah, a socially isolated middle-class American teen. Their stories merge as Hannah is drawn to become a volunteer for the International Rescue Committee, befriending Mei. Ultimately, the friendship saves both girls from their isolation and despair. This is a gripping, sobering, emotional and ultimately gratifying book. Weeping once read, will not easily be forgotten. --The Women's Times --The International Rescue CommitteeWeeping Under This Same Moon by Jana Laiz is a stunning achievement written with uncanny sympathy and intuition from the complementary perspectives of two teenage girls - one a Vietnamese refugee, the other a passionate yet unhappy American high school student - the book vividly portrays very different yet intersecting worlds. It is a moving, heartwarming, even inspiring book. I recommend it enthusiastically to readers of all ages and in particular to young adults. --George Rupp, President, The International Rescue CommitteeWeeping Under This Same Moon by Jana Laiz is an eye-opening powerhouse of a novel. Based on a true situation, it tells the converging stories of two teenage girls with very different backgrounds, living very different lives, both of them in a way refugees. Part One tells the very gripping story of Mei, a Vietnamese Boat Person making her way to asylum in America. Part Two portrays Hannah, a socially isolated middle-class American teen. Their stories merge as Hannah is drawn to become a volunteer for the International Rescue Committee, befriending Mei. Ultimately, the friendship saves both girls from their isolation and despair. This is a gripping, sobering, emotional and ultimately gratifying book. Weeping once read, will not easily be forgotten. --The Women's Times