Water Buffalo Days: Growing Up in Vietnam

By Huynh Quang Nhuong

Book Overview

As a young boy growing up in the hills of central Vietnam, Nhuong's companion was Tank, the family water buffalo. When bullies harassed Nhuong, Tank sent them packing. When a wild tiger threatened the entire village, Tank defeated it. He led the herd and adopted a lonely puppy. Tank was Nhuong's best friend. Nhuong gives readers a glimpse of himself when he was their age, and tells a thrilling story of how he and Tank together faced the dangers of life in the Vietnamese jungle which was their home.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064462110
• ISBN13: 9780064462112
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 117 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.1" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

This is a remarkable book!

I borrowed this book from our local library, thinking it was just any other book. When I read the book, I enjoyed reading the adventures. Later on, I was surprised to discover that all the adventures were true. People could learn a lot from this book, not only about where the author lives but lessons in life, as well. After I returned the book, I decided to read it again, and this time, I borrowed both of the author's books. I've really enjoyed these books and think that children would benefit from reading these books, too. I hope that the author writes some more books about his memories.

A sad and touchy book

The author is the young child in this story. He described his relationship with two of the family buffaloes. One water buffalo name was Water Jug. The other buffalo's name was Tank. Water Jug died of old age. After Water Jug died Ngoung[the young child in the story]and his fater went looking for buffalo. The found a great young bull. Ngoung and the buffalo played alot. One day a war spread over their country. A bullet hit Tank and one hour after the war Tank died.

Excellent book which will grab your heart and teach you.

As an elementary school teacher who loves children's literature, I try to read all the Bluebonnet books every year. This was one of the best. I really learned about life in a Vietnamese village from the perspective of a young boy. Even without learning this background, the book is a great story for all children and adults who love animals.

This is my favorite book I've ever read. (Age 9)

This is my favorite book that I've ever read because I like how the author describes his life. I read this book because it was a Bluebonnet book at my school. I never knew that I would like it this much. I just picked it out, and started to read it at the library. My favorite part was when Tank(the waterbuffalo) fights the herd's leader (Hurricane) and wins. I think you should read this book because it tells about a boy's life in Vietnam.

A pastoral memoir makes a powerful anti war statement

Before I read this book with my son I told him what I learned about Vietnam from growing up with the war on TV. The Vietnam of this story is not the same place.The author and his water buffalo, Tank, face many dangers together. Tank protects the herd and the village and his young master from dangers such as otters, crocodiles, wild boars and tigers. Only the last chapter mentions the human dangers we've come to associate with Vietnam, and it leaves the reader wishing that those dangers had never visited that country. I recommend this book to any of the now well over 30 generation who'd like to discuss the history they lived through with their children or grand children.