A Million Shades of Gray Audiobook

" An interesting bit of as-yet unmined vein of middle reader historical fiction depicting the lives of the tribal hill people (the Rhade) in the highlands of central Vietnam. Y'Tin is the ?13-yera-old protagonist, the youngest elephant handler in his village when the story opens in 1973 and his family and people are helping the American forces there. The narrative jumps to 1975 after the fall of Saigon and the Americans are gone and Y'Tin (with his excellent tracking skills in the jungle and his beloved elephant, Lady) must do what he can to help his people survive the Vietcong's destruction of their villlage. "

" It was good, but I doubt I'll read it again. It was really slow to start, but made up for it when Y'Tin was captured. The story was left on a cliff hanger. Personally, I would have given the book a couple hundred more pages and made it worth the work of writing a book. "

" I don't know who the audience should be for this book. It looks like an elementary book, but the subject matter is too difficult for elementary. This book is about the "Dega" people who lived in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. It took place after America left Vietnam and the Dega people were left to fend for themselves. Y'Tin, a 13-year-old boy, experiences the horrors of the Vietcong takeover. My favorite character was Y'Tin's elephant Lady. The redeeming value of this book is the explanation of the Vietnam War and how America didn't fulfill their promise to the Dega people. There were many interesting facts about elephants and how they are trained. "

" What happened in Vietnam aftger Americn troops pulled out in 1975. "

" characterization was not up to her standard "

" The sum of the parts was less than I was hoping for. It's hard to articulate why, but I just couldn't connect to the characters. I did enjoy the elephants. The book provides a good look at the Vietnam war from a civilian perspective, and a good glimpse into another culture's daily life. "

" learned somethng about elephants and a little about living in the jungle in Vietnam during the war years; don't think I would recommend it to a kid in the library "

" I fell in love with this book. All aspects of it. I just want to read more about what happens with Y'Tin. I highly recomend this book for anybody. "

" Excellent reading. Sad but uplifting at the same time "

" The gentle story of a young elephant handler in the midst of a horrible time in history, when the Vietcong took over and destroyed his village. It's about courage and loyalty and sticking to what you believe is right. A really good read. "

" This book gave an insiders perspective that I haven't seen before. The story was realistic, but I felt the main character seemed a little flat. I had a hard time getting into the drama of the plot even though I was able to read it in two sittings. "

" i finish it. it was sad at the end. "

" A very simple story with complex issues. Y'Tin is a boy who has to grow up very quickly as the North Vietnam Army murders his village and he escapes with Lady, his elephant. I ended the book with a lot of questions on my mind and a desire to read more about the Vietnam War. "

" Compelling story. Unique setting in 1975 Vietnam after the Americans left. Interesting themes: like, in a war, who is the "good" guy?, the jungle's (or hard times) effect on friendship; letting go of what you love for it's welfare. However, it was a bit of a slow start and an abrupt ending. "

" The North Vietnamese capture a young elephant trainer's South Vietnamese village after the Americans have left. He must decide whether to try to escape and try to survive the jungle or remain a captive and endure the hardships presented by the captors. "

" This book taught me some new things about history and the Vietnam war. It left me wanting more though...an anticlimactic ending for me. "

" You don't see many J fic books about the Vietnam War. This one is very sad, but has some sweet parts. The boy's relationship with his elephant is endearing. I listened to the whole thing, despite the hard parts, and it was worth it. "

" Maybe 3.5 stars. It took me some time to get involved with the story. Interesting glimpse of the VietNam war from the perspective of a young Dega elephant trainer in the central highlands after the American's leave. "

" sad!!! but really good... "

" I don't know why but this book failed to grab me. It's about the hill people in Vietnam and gives me yet another reason to feel guilty about our foreign policy failures. "

" I fell in love with this book. All aspects of it. I just want to read more about what happens with Y'Tin. I highly recomend this book for anybody. "

" i thought the books was short and a little boring but i still thought it was great. "

" Liked the beginning better than the end. The end seemed to drag out, yet it seemed like the author just wanted to hurry up to the end.Vietnam Era, about elephant trainers. "

" Interesting topic, good story, but I felt like the author's writing kept me at arms length from the character's emotions. Very frustrating. "

" This was written well, the author did a good job of having the reader relate to someone in a completely foreign culture. I wouldn't say it was an "enjoyable" read, more of an educational one. Seems like something a teacher would read with their class. "

" This story of a young elephant trainer, his family and village takes place during the Vietnam War after the Americans have left. A different take on that war and a coming of age story as well. "

" In 1975 after American troops pull out of Vietnam, a thirteen-year-old boy and his beloved elephant escape into the jungle when the Viet Cong attack his village. This is one of those books that might inspire some kids to research more about this time period. Animal lovers might like it too. "

" A good book. Bittersweet, but hopeful. "