Weeping Under This Same Moon

Weeping Under This Same Moon

Written by Jana Laiz

Soon to be a feature film!!

Download the Teacher's Guide

ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Gold Medalist and an International Reading Association Notable Book, Weeping Under This Same Moon is based on the true story of two teenage girls from different cultures, whose paths intertwine, dramatically altering the course of their lives.

Mei is an artist whose life has been disrupted by the Vietnam War. Her anguished parents send her away on a perilous escape during the exodus of thousands of Vietnamese refugees known as “Boat People.” In Mei’s words we learn of the dangers she faces caring for her two younger siblings on a sea journey fraught with hunger, thirst and deprivation, leaving behind everything she loves, to find refuge for her family.

Hannah is an angry seventeen-year-old American high school student. Friendless, neurotic, a social misfit – her passion for writing and the environment only intensify her outcast state. Through Hannah’s voice, we get inside her head, there to discover a gentle soul beneath all the anger and turmoil.When Hannah learns of the plight of the “Boat People,” she is moved to action.

Destiny brings Mei and Hannah together in a celebration of cultures and language, food and friendship, and the ultimate rescue of both young women from their own despair. Weeping Under This Same Moon is a testament to the power of love and the spirit of volunteerism; affirming that doing for others does so much for one’s self.

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Press: 
The Ties That Surprise
Feeding the Writer's Soul
Reviews: 
​“Weeping Under This Same Moon by Jana Laiz is a stunning achievement written with uncanny sympathy from the complementary perspectives of two teenage girls – one a Vietnamese refugee, the other a passionate yet unhappy American high school student – the book vividly portrays very different yet intersecting worlds. heartwarming, even inspiring book. I recommend it enthusiastically to readers of all ages and in particular to young adults.”

George Rupp
President, The International Rescue Committee

“Through the story of these Vietnamese children and the American girl who befriends them, Jana Laiz shows us how faith and courage can overcome the worst hardship. One comes out of this beautifully written book feeling uplifted, reminding us that hope always springs eternal for all the children of the world.”

Emmanuel Dongala
Author of Little Boys Come From The Stars and Johnny Mad Dog (now a major motion picture)

“In 1976, Mei, a Chinese girl living in war-torn Vietnam is forced to flee her country. Sent away on a tiny boat, she and her teenage brother and young sister leave their family behind, hoping to arrive on safe shores. With no guarantee of survival, they embark bravely on their journey.
In the United States, Hannah, a teenage girl, finds herself struggling to fit into a culture focused on drugs and parties. A non-conformist, she is drawn to important causes, and finds herself alone most of the time. When she hears of the plight of the “Boat People” escaping Vietnam, she knows she needs to help.
Weeping Under This Same Moon tells these two girls’ stories, which begin to intersect as Hannah befriends Mei and her family, and helps them acclimate to life in the US. Told with amazing perception and attention to detail, the author brings their stories to life. Great character development helps us to understand each girl and her unique situation.This book is a fictionalized account of two real women who forged a lifetime friendship during a time of adversity. I highly recommend Weeping Under This Same Moon – a story of friendship, hope, and the spirit of helping others.”

Alice Berger
Bergers Book Reviews

“Volunteering can spark an inner joy as Jana Laiz so aptly demonstrates in this compelling and uplifting story. We, at Landmark Volunteers have documented this phenomenon thousands of times: high school volunteers deriving fulfillment and self-respect while serving the greater needs of others. I would recommend Weeping Under This Same Moon to any adult or young person wishing to see what can happen by the simple act of volunteering.”

Ann B. Barrett
Executive Director, Landmark Volunteers

“With understanding, humor & compassion, Jana Laiz draws us into the interior lives of two teenagers living a world apart. As they share families, stories, languages, customs, food and faiths, these young women come to the place we are all searching for in today’s world – “common ground”.”

Shirley Paukulis
former editor SAWADDI Magazine (AWC) Bangkok, Thailand

“Weeping Under This Same Moon by Jana Laiz is an exquisitely told story of the power of love and friendship during a turbulent time in history. Told with warmth, humor and sensitivity, Jana Laiz brings to life two young women from disparate cultures with unique voices and personalities that readers will come to care deeply about. Weeping… stays with you long after you have read the last word. It is an inspiring book not only for young people, but for anyone wishing to see what can happen by the simple act of reaching out. It will make a GREAT movie!”

Martin Meader
Co-Executive Producer/Co Story Writer Paradise Road, Author of The Adventures of Charlie and Moon.