All the Broken Pieces

Burg, A. (2013). All the broken
pieces [digital image]. Retrieved
October 1, 2016 from
http://www.annburg.com/books.html

YA READS:

Burg, A.E. (2009). All the broken pieces. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 978-0-545-08093-4; paperback; $6.99.

Matt Pin is a child born to a Vietnamese mother and an American father during the Vietnam War.  However, his mixed-race status is enough to put him in danger as the U.S. draws out of his native Vietnam.  Therefore, his birth mother sends him to the United States as part of Operation Babylift in hopes that he’ll find a better life in America.  Matt is adopted by a loving family and starts to find ways to deal with his past.  Piano lessons, trips to the park, meeting with veterans, and joining the school baseball team are all steps in the right direction; however, he cannot bring himself to talk about the horrors he witnessed.  Furthermore, some of his classmates and those impacted by the conflict overseas can’t quite find it in their hearts to accept Matt into their community.  One boy in particular, Rob, is especially cruel to Matt, and takes the opportunity to harass him during every baseball practice.  When the tension amongst the team reaches a breaking point, a wise coach decides to pair the players in a trust exercise.  Before the end of the practice, both Matt and Rob have to come to grips with how the war has affected them, and find common ground in finally talking about the loss of a sibling.  Told in poignant verse poetry form, All the Broken Pieces speaks truth about the power of love to overcome pain, and the importance of sharing your story to find acceptance.  After all, “Words are messy, but sometimes, words are all you’ve got to show what matters most.”

The format of this novel might be an initial turn-off to some middle school readers.  The first few pages are a bit tricky since the verse poetry form is condensed and the language about Vietnam relies heavily on symbolism and imagery.  However, for those readers willing to endure through the first thirty pages, a powerful story develops to which most kids can relate.  While the story is set in a specific historical period, the larger themes still ring true today.  It is a very difficult thing to put one’s self in someone else’s shoes.  Yet those who travel with Matt and Rob, and the other characters affected by the Vietnam War, are sure to find that out of the broken pieces, something beautiful emerges.  Recommended for grades 6-10.

AWARDS (according to author Ann Burg's website):

* ALA Best Books for Young Adults
* Booklist Best of Editor’s Choice
* 2009 Booklist Top Ten First Novels for Youth
* 2009 Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth
* NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
* Cybils Awards Finalist
* Winner of the 2010 Jefferson Cup

Sewwhimzy. (n.d.). Super adopted shirt
[digital image]. Retrieved on October 1,
2016 from https://www.etsy.com/shop/
sewwhimzy?ref=l2-shopheader-name

HOMEMADE TEES: for other kids who have been adopted, this book will resonate with the many emotions and struggles that happen when you are a part of two families.  Show your pride in your adoption with this Superman tee, available from Etsy.

PioneerThrift. (n.d.). 1980s vintage
"good morning Vietnam" movie
title [digital image]. Retrieved on
October 1, 2016 from https://www.etsy.com/
shop/PioneerThrift?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Or, for older readers, pay homage to other Vietnam-era classics, like Robin Williams' movie Good Morning, Vietnam (vintage tee from Etsy) and Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried (tote from RedBubble).

ProfHarshman. (n.d.). Tim O'Brien,
the things they carried [digital image].
Retrieved on October 1, 2016
from https://www.redbubble.com/people/
profharshman/works/13991578-tim-obrien
-the-things-they-carried?p=tote-bag

WANT MORE? Listen to Mrs. Scott read the first few pages of this novel for her students.