Book Review: Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

After his father’s arrest for allegedly being an enemy of Burma, Chiko wants to find work so he and his mother can pay the rent. Lured in by an ad looking for teachers, Chiko finds himself captured and forced into army service. There he’s going to need more than book smarts to survive…


Meanwhile, Tu Reh lives in a refugee camp for his tribal people in Thailand after being driven out of Burma by the Burmese army. He’s full of anger and ready to fight back. But a life-changing encounter shows him that fighting is not the only solution.

I featured this novel as a WoW pick back in May because the people of Burma have a special place in my heart (read the post and see my Burma vacation photos). Theirs is definitely a story that begs to be told, and Perkins does so wonderfully with sympathetic characters and an involving plot.

Burma’s current situation is full of tragedy, and the story reflects that – from forced conscription, to low literary levels, landmines, unfair imprisonment, torching of tribal villages and many other atrocities. However, these are balanced with truly touching moments of unlikely friendships forged, good deeds, and hope.

What more can I say than this is a novel everyone needs to read?

BAMBOO PEOPLE is available now in hardcover. Find out more about it at http://www.bamboopeople.org/