It's 1999 and Jane is the 17-year-old daughter of a Vietnamese immigrant in California. Her mother left the family several years ago leaving Jane the protector of her 7-year-old brother. Told in alternating chapters between Jane and what her father experienced in Vietnam and during his harrowing journey to the United States, this book is raw and sad. Young adult immigrant stories usually address the cultural conflict between parents and teens but don't address the truly messy stuff. Jane's dad witnessed horrible things and because of that he is a pretty horrible parent. A necessary but at times painful book that isn't afraid to tell the truth.

I could not finish reading this book. What could have been a great tool to teach with was list on me without the translations of the Vietnamese phrases used throughout the book. Disappointed.

This impactful YA novel takes the perspective of both a Vietnamese war refugee and his teen daughter who tells his story to her younger brother. The reader is swept into the gruesome, violent, dark, and complicated history of the Vietnam war from the POV of survivors and refugees. The book is set in the late 90s, and follows Jane, a high school senior who is helping her dad at his convenience store, helping raise her brother, and trying to assimilate into US culture as best as she can. As the book unfolds, it felt like a rollercoaster of trauma unfolding in different layers, Phuc's trauma as a young refugee, and the pain and PTSD that he took out on his family. It results in a broken family, but somehow the found family that Phuc has forged is there in such an unlikely way.

This book is hard to explain. It's not wholesome, but it has amazing empathy and it portrays the comfort of family bonds and shared trauma. It's not a period piece, but it could only take place at this time, when Jane is old enough to separate her feelings about her dad from her understanding of the war.

I can't recommend this book enough for history students, high school seniors, and any adult who only heard the US side of the Vietnam war. There will be a follow up that continues the story from her brother Paul's perspective and I am so anxious to read it!

I had high expectations for this book and they were all met. The author did an excellent job in really highlighting the impacts of generational trauma

Asian American YA has really exploded over the past few years, but there remains a gap when it comes to Southeast Asian or refugee representation. This book does an incredible job filling in those gaps. Additionally, it is the only YA book that I can think of that talks about abusive familial relationships in Asian American families in depth. Everyone who pays attention to these things knows it happens but it's very rarely open and public information. I think the way the author tackles issues of race, identity, and intergenerational trauma makes this book one to watch for book awards season.

The book is split between two POVs, one follows Jane in the 90s as she navigates her complicated feelings towards her mother, her abusive father, and brother as she prepares to leave home for college. The other POV follows her father, Phuc, in the aftermath of the Vietnam war and his migration journey to the US. I think Hoang's background working for TV and visual arts comes through here in ways both good and bad. Phuc's chapters in particular are vivid and immersive. However, I think in the end the movie-like quality ends up restricting the book from being incredible literary fiction. One of the advantages of writing compared to visual media is that writers have more freedom to go on tangents and explore ideas and themes or the internal thoughts and feelings of the characters. I wish there was more of that in this book because I felt that some moments would have worked great for movies but fell flat in book form.

As a debut YA book, there were also some shortcomings in pacing and tone that I find present in almost all debut YA books. I think that the author struggled with finding the right tone and voice for YA which at times fluctuated between reading like a JFIC book (with middle-school level protagonists) and a straight up “adult” book. I wish the setting was fleshed out a bit more, and that Jane’s connection (and distaste) for the local Vietnamese community was explored more. Finally, this might be a stylistic preference, but I wish there were more connections and “rhyming” between Jane and Phuc’s chapters, in the old-school, great Greek literature type way. (Or like Louis Sachar's Holes... lol.) I think part of the fun of fiction is that the writer can bend and mold the reality of the story to show a greater truth. Perhaps this would have felt too simplified, too easy, and too clean, but for me a stronger connection between all the themes and motifs (the panda! as a symbol in the style of To Kill a Mockingbird! that was so cool!) would have really set off the tingles in my brain and even if it would have made the book less realistic, and it would have elevated this book from a good and interesting debut into a really great book.

Despite all my nitpicking, I think this book was an incredible debut and I'm excited to see what the author has in store for us next! I held it to a bit of a ridiculously high standard simply because it is so ambitious. While it might have fallen short on some things, the book's portrayal of intergenerational trauma and domestic abuse is so detailed, so nuanced, and so needed. It really resonated on so many levels and I think it sheds light on something that is common but not openly discussed.

There were some reviewers who had difficulty with the abuse- but I think the book does a great job of capturing the layers of resentment, guilt, sympathy, and not-quite-love that come from trauma and migration. Simply painting Phuc as an abuser and just leaving it at that is something that falls flat for most immigrant communities (and honestly a lot of non-immigrant victims and survivors too) and the book does a great job of contrasting Jane's "whitewashed" friend and with Jane's cousins. There are some other YA books that explore toxic immigrant family relations- I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter and The Poet X are two that also point to a "cultural difference". I think those books reflect the reality where a lot of daughters feel pressure for reconciliation and forgiveness. That is very real. But when these books seem to always seem to end this way, it leaves me feeling a bit unsatisfied and uncomfortable. If I were to describe My Father the Panda Killer, it would be "ambitious." Hoang does a good job of emphasizing Phuc's humanity and struggle, but the book very importantly will not let him off the hook.

Had difficulty getting into the story, just wasn't for me. I think the style just didn't jibe with me, but nothing wrong with the book at all!

"My Father the Panda Killer" by Jamie Jo Hoang is an enthralling and suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The author skillfully weaves a complex web of secrets and revelations, creating a captivating plot that unfolds with unpredictable twists and turns. Hoang's writing is engrossing, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the world of Mara and her quest for truth. The character development is impressive, particularly Mara's transformation from a naive young woman to a determined and resilient protagonist.

One aspect that I particularly enjoyed was the intricate and well-researched portrayal of the assassin underworld. The author's attention to detail brings the dangerous and clandestine world to life, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The action sequences are intense and well-paced, keeping the momentum of the plot consistently high.

However, one aspect that left me slightly disappointed was the resolution of certain subplots. While the main storyline is resolved satisfactorily, there were a few secondary plotlines that felt rushed and unresolved. These loose ends left me wanting more closure and a deeper exploration of certain character arcs.

Overall, "My Father the Panda Killer" is a gripping and exhilarating thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. With its well-crafted plot, engaging characters, and immersive writing, it is a compelling read that will keep readers guessing until the very end, despite some minor shortcomings in tying up all loose ends.

A well written story about the long lasting effects of trauma, told through two points of view. The first is Jane, a California teen, who is living with her emotionally and physically abusive father. The second is her father, Phuc, who fled Vietnam when he was eleven. Jane's mother abandoned her and her brother, so Jane struggles to manage her father's abuse and protect her younger brother from it. At the same time, she has aspirations to go to college. This was certainly an emotionally challenging read, but absolutely an important one too.

The stories of Jane and her father, Phúc, will stay with me for a long time to come. Told in alternating voices: Jane, a California teenager, who is dealing with more than one can imagine, and her father when he was eleven in Vietnam, fleeing the country solo as a "boat person." Jane's mother abandoned the family, so Jane takes the brunt of her father's abusive anger (physically and emotionally), especially as she tries to shield her younger brother. Jane wrestles with the desire to flee her family situation for college, her devotion to her brother, and the rage she feels toward her father and, newer, toward her brother. What Phúc endures as he flees the war is unfathomable and difficult to read, although necessary. Told with a beautiful and compassionate voice, I found this book to be compelling and un-put-downable.

Jane hates anything Vietnamese. But this feeling gets more complicated as she grows up and understands more of where her Dad, Phúc, came from.

Phúc enjoys the peaceful and beautiful connection that he forges with his home through his flute. It is the only solace he finds during the war and one of the only items he brings on his trip to leave his country and family.

Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Phúc,<i> My Father, The Panda Killer</i> describes the effects of war and how the trauma spans through many generations. It is an honest and moving story about growing up, identity, trauma, and family, that makes you feel like you are going through a catharsis along with Jane. Never have I ever felt so connected to a character before. Jamie Jo Hoang is a master at creating a character that is so real and true, yet despite all the flaws and uncertainty that a young teen possesses, Jane feels like a real life superhero. Phúc's perspective showcases the journey of a refugee, and the pain and persistence that he must grip onto. The two voices tie into each other and reveal the Vietnamese culture that enables Jane to understand Phúc and to try to transmit this understanding to his younger brother. I cannot encapsulate how complex and meaningful this book is. The best way to feel this complex love is only through reading this book.

Book Review: My Father the Panda Killer
By Jamie Jo Hoang

Jane, a first generation American, works hard to learn everything she can and be the top of her class all the while working at her father’s store and caring for her younger brother, Paul. Her mother left the family without a trace when Paul was an infant, so Jane, as a young teen grew up fast. Vietnamese traditions are followed to the letter in the household. Sadly, this includes regular beatings from Jane’s father. If she did anything her father disliked or didn’t do exactly what he wanted her to do when he wanted her to do it, she was beaten. Soon Jane will be in college, but worries endlessly that Paul will soon be the victim of her father’s foul moods and beatings while she is gone.

Phuc, father of Jane and Paul, is a hard drinking, controlling man. As a child refuge, he made the long and tortuous trip in more than one boat to what he hoped was freedom. His family was still in Vietnam, so he was on his own to find his way in the world. Life for him was more than often painful both physically and mentally. Food was in short supply and fights would erupt at any time resulting in maiming and often death among the passengers.

The small family holds tight to each other throughout the long hard days of work, school and the day-to-day chores that have to be done at both home and the store. When Phuc tells his children they are all going to Vietnam to see his family, the children are shocked. When they arrive, they are greeted with kindness and love. This reunion also ignites the flame in Phuc’s heart to spend more time with his family, allowing Jane and Paul to not only learn about their ancestry, but also embrace it.

This tale of family, love and loss is tempered by the long, difficult road they have traveled. The chapters alternate between Jan and Phuc, reading about their lives first person. This enables each character to have their own voice, making the narrative much more powerful and contrasting the lives of each of the characters.

Written by the daughter of Vietnamese parents, author Jamie Jo Hoang brings the ring of truth about so many immigrants to her fiction. This is the first book I have read from Ms. Hoang, but I will seek out her adult novel, Blue Sun, Yellow Sky. I highly recommend My Father the Panda Killer to young adults as well as adults.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Hoang doesn't hold back, whatsoever. She takes the exploration of generational trauma, specifically between Asian American refugees and their first generation children, and makes it a raw, heartaching experience. Jane's story is already immensely sad, and the pain and abuse she suffers at the hand of her father is shown in all its brutality, but then adding Phúc's journey and him surviving never-ending violence, war, family betrayal, and so much more for years makes you empathize with Jane's dad, despite how much you hate him for all he was doing to Jane and her brother. I just love how Hoang manage to capture the complexities of trauma while not being afraid to show all the gory details.

I also loved how distinct the two POVs are, despite Phúc's POV actually being Jane telling Paul their dad's story. It takes a while for the two stories to converge when Phúc's journey is brought up at Jane's family gatherings, but it eventually leads to a very satisfying payoff when it affects Jane's development and how she views her culture, her family, and, ultimately, her father.

All in all, this is such a fantastic book. I hope this doesn't go under the radar when it officially publishes, because stories like these need to be read.

'My Father, The Panda Killer' was a very tough read, but one that tells an important story about generational trauma, healing, hope, loss, and the effect your trauma can have on the way you treat the people you love. Hoang was able to put into words a feeling that a lot of abuse survivors can understand, but have trouble expressing, and for that, I love her and I love this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher of Random House Children's, and the author Jamie Jo Hoang for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. While I was left longing for Phuc to be a more developed pov character.Jane was more developed. I appreciated how Jane was growing and healing from intergenerational trauma. I liked seeing how she wanted to become a better person for herself and for her younger brother, Paul. I also liked how she wanted to understand her Dad. The book is okay and has room for improvement, but I'm curious to read the author's previous works and see what she has to write next.

This was a hard read and I had to wait over a week to write my review, just to let the story settle a bit.

This book tells two stories: one of Jane, a teenager who has grown up in the US and is the child of Vietnamese parents. And her father's story, when he was much younger and escaped Vietnam during the war.

Jane helps her father to run their convenience store. But things are not good at home. Her father is very physically abusive to Jane, often beating her with a stick so that she must constantly hide her bruises. I still don't understand why she didn't report his abuse and have him locked up. It would have saved her and her little brother from so much pain.

Her father's story is one of war, death, and hard times. No matter what he had gone through in his past, i still couldn't care about this man, who was so grossly abusive.

Not my thing. The abuse scenes were hard to read and very off-putting.

The authenticity of this story leaves you reeling as you learn about the horrific and shocking experiences of a young boy who escapes Vietnam in the mist of war. During his journey Phuc loses his spirit and the trauma that he went through transcends to his family. Jane struggles with her feelings towards her father as she both fears and loves him. The family dynamics are complex, and readers are introduced to a cultural framework that is hard to witness. This one is a page turner and keeps you on edge as you are immersed in Phuc's story. The effects of the Vietnam War are rarely shown through the perspective of Vietnamese refugees. This one will stay with you long after you finish reading.

My father, the panda killer was a hard hitting book. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time fit was quite the page turner

#My Father the Panda Killer #Vietnam #immigrants #coming of age #war #deomestic violence
This is an amazing story told in two voices: Jane, the first generation American daughter, and Phuc, an 11 year old sent off on a boat by his parents to escape the war in Vietnam. Phuc's horrific trials during that journey inform every aspect of his life in the United States and memories still haunt him. As Jane is preparing to leave home for college, a family visit sheds light on her ancestral culture and what makes her father who he is. I loved this book and its authenticity that approaches some touchy subjects without either glossing over wrong doing or judging too harshly those who have suffered much. Hightly recommend for high school readers.

*Thank you Netgalley and RHCBEducators for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!*
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 4 June 2023

4.8 (rounded up to 5) out of 5 stars.

This review took me some days to get around to solely for the fact that I couldn’t begin to gather my words for this piece.
Jamie Jo Hoang brings brutal honestly in ‘My Father, the Panda Killer’ and it hits as a fellow child of immigrant parents. There was no shying away from the journey to America that many children come to learn of their parents over time, striking heavy with the tale of a refugee child just trying to survive and his daughter doing the same within her own home.

Jane has lived her life ignoring her family history and heritage. She’s grown up learning to almost forget or look down on her culture until a family gathering has her realizing something- despite what they’d each gone through, her cousins feel a sort of love for their parents and she can’t help but find a constant forgiveness in her father too.
Jane begins to open up to the idea of looking into herself and showing her brother the life she has always shied away from and resented. To keep her brother from fully disappearing into himself as she has done, Jane weaves a story of her family’s past to Paul, told with the bits she’s overhead with time and the pieces she can only assume from what she already knows.

“My Father, the Panda Killer’ intwines two stories of past and present to tell a hard hitting story about Jane finding her place again and helping her brother one last time before she leaves for the next chapter of her own life.


It was so hard to think of words for this book review because it made me so *emotional* throughout the middle until the very last page. I, like Jane and like Jamie in her pre and after story letters, always shied away and couldn’t understand the ideals of my parents. While this book discusses some hard to read topics and issues (there’s a content warning that shouldn’t be ignored at the front of the book), I still think it was moving and even eye-opening as a child of immigrants. There’s things that our parents do differently than is normal in America, and it’s so hard to find this solace without other family and friends, so hard to find this boundary for yourself within whatever generational traumas are being carried. This book really made me feel so much for Jane, the imperfect main character with an imperfect family just trying to figure out how to heal.

A well-written coming of age story dealing with some very hard topics in a straightforward / how would these problems impact a growing girl kind of way. Well thought out and delivered.