James was born in a Hmong village, high on a mountain in Laos. As a young child, he spent an hour every day carrying water up from the spring below the village. He also helped with farming, went to school, and built a tricycle for exciting rides down the hill.
As a teenager, he moved to Luang Prabang so he could attend high school. He learned English, worked part-time, and in his spare time, he and his brother built a new house for their parents. We thought the story of his life so far (age 17) was both interesting and inspiring; you will, too.
by James Xiong, illustrated by Gikong, photographs by James Xiong
First published in 2013 :: English :: 64 pages :: Paperback :: A5
Printing of this book was made possible with support from Becky Schaller of the USA. Thank you!
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Sample pages from Growing Up on the Mountain
Did you know Laos has 49 ethnic groups, each with its own culture and traditions? Hmong are one of the largest.
