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I used to absolutely love reading the Dear America series growing up. I was reminded of them the other day because I saw there are a few other series similar to the Dear America stories. So I decided to read some that I never got to read. This one was about 16 year old Molly and her life after her older brother became a marine during the Vietnam War.

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This was an interesting middle grade look into America during the Vietnam War.

First off, I did like that it took place during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War is not often depicted in books, especially middle grade ones, so it was refreshing to see. I also loved the setting of San Diego. I used to live there so it holds a special place in my heart.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/10/16/review-yolis-favorite-things/

I‘ve know this author for YA works but “Fallen Angels” doesn‘t really fit there. It‘s frequently challenged because of the adult-level language & realistic depiction of the Vietnam War.

I did a search, fun facts from AAVM: African American Veterans Monument (https://aavmwny.org/war/vietnam-war)

Okay yes and “fun” is rather a stretch. I‘ll have to post the full quote below BUT I would recommend this read. It‘s brutal as you‘d expect.

⤵️

#weekendreads

Thinking of all those who have served while reading the tagged title this weekend. 🇺🇸

Bailed a few chapters in, this one is not for me!

#Read2025

Definitely deep in the poetic stream. This does not always lend itself to the full story as I might have chosen to structure this differently- reserving the imagistic for the Vietnam segment so beautifully juxtaposed with the father‘s decline. Ultimately this is a beautiful story of love, family bonds, and events that shape us.

Dang Thuy Tram was twenty four when she joined the Vietnam war as a doctor. This is her diary.

This is a first hand account of the war, written during the war which is a rare find and I was excited to read this. Unfortunately, the translation here really let's this diary down. There's be instead of he. Closed instead of close. And while you can use your common sense to rejig the words and sentances, it's makes a tiresome reading experience.

Perfect first hand accounts of actual veterans.

Boots on the Ground: America‘s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge explores personal true stories of eight people in the Vietnam War. The stories include six soldiers, one military nurse, and a refugee. This book also includes stories from what was happening back in America as the war was fought. This book captures the intensity, hardships, and impacts of the Vietnam War.