Books with title A Million Shades of Gray

In the Central Highlands of Vietnam, clusters of mountain people lived in neatly arranged villages. The Montegnards knew the jungles better than anyone and were America's most loyal allie during the Vietnam War. But, when the US pulled out, Montagnards were left to pay a terrible price. Y-Juen's village, once a base camp for US special forces, is quickly occupied by the Viet Cong and the ominous hole - dug deeper and wider by the hour - is a constant reminder of where things are headed. The fathers (on whom the VC are seeking revenge for having helped the special forces) had fled early, hiding in the dense cover of the jungle, and twelve-year old Y-Juen, the village elephant keeper, and his friend Y-Tin begin to wonder if they should follow them, or should they stay and wait. Wait for what? The answer was too terrible to imagine and the alternative - escape and possibly die in the jungle - at least offers some hope. They could make it to Thailand; they could make it to America; they could just maybe find their fathers.

Y'Tin is brave. No one in his village denies that. And while his mother may wish that he'd spend more time on schoolwork than on training his elephant, she knows that it takes a great deal of courage and calm to handle elephants the way that Y'Tin does. He is the best handler in the village - and at 13 years old, the youngest. Maybe he'll even open up his own school someday to teach other Dega how to train wild elephants! That was the plan, anyway - back before the American troops pulled out of the Vietnam War, back before Y'Tin's village was attacked by North Vietnamese forces, back before they had to start digging a massive, menacing pit, back before Y'Tin watched his life change in a million terrible ways. Now, his bravery is truly put to the test: He can stay in his village, held captive by the North Vietnamese, or he can risk his life (and save his elephant's) by fleeing into the jungle.Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Kadohata brings us close to a world few people know about -- but will never forget. Heartbreaking yet full of hope, Y'Tin's story is one of lasting friendships, desperate choices, and all that we lose when we are forced to change.

Y'Tin is brave. No one in his village denies that. And while his mother may wish that he'd spend more time on schoolwork than on training his elephant, she knows that it takes a great deal of courage and calm to handle elephants the way that Y'Tin does. He is the best handler in the village and at thirteen years old, the youngest. Y'Tin's village was attached by North Vietnamese forces. Now his bravery is truly put to the test: He can stay in his village, held captive by the North Vietnamese, or he can risk his life (and save his elephants) by fleeing into the jungle.

Left an orphan by the Civil War, 12-year-old Will Page has to leave his ruined home in the Shenandoah Valley. He must go to live with his mother's relatives, whom he has never seen before, on their tiny farm in the Virginia Piedmont. To make matters worse, his uncle refused to fight the Yankees. In fact, Uncle Jed stayed safely at home throughout the whole conflict between the states, while his neighbors were risking their lives for the Confederacy. How can Will stay under the same roof as a coward? Teacher and author, Carolyn Reeder vividly portrays an angry Will gradually overcoming his own loss and developing tolerance for his uncle's opposing views. The far-reaching consequences of the Civil War become dramatically clear to young people with John McDonough's sensitive narration.