The Book in Common for this year is Thi Bui's graphic novel The Best We Could Do. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves.
At the heart of Bui’s story is a universal struggle: While adjusting to life as a first-time mother, she ultimately discovers what it means to be a parent—the endless sacrifices, the unnoticed gestures, and the depths of unspoken love. Despite how impossible it seems to take on the simultaneous roles of both parent and child, Bui pushes through. With haunting, poetic writing and breathtaking art, she examines the strength of family, the importance of identity, and the meaning of home.
The Library has plenty of copies of Bui's graphic novel for students to check out. We've also put together an online guide full of great resources for reading and teaching The Best We Could Do. We hope you'll take advantage of all the good stuff we have to offer!