Meo and Be

Just before the United States enters the Vietnam War, eleven-year-old Be and her three-footed kitten Meo must rise above the injustices of war to find the comfort, safety, and love of a found family.

Eleven-year-old Be hasn't spoken a word since her mother left. She hangs on to the hope that one day they will be reunited, but after two years of waiting, it's becoming more difficult. Her father--who is now frail and helpless after a stroke--can do little to protect her from her stepmother, Big Mother, who treats Be like an animal and a servant. Thankfully, Be has a secret friend, her little kitten Meo, to comfort her in the worst of times. Maybe if she just steers clear of Big Mother and is obedient, everything will be okay.

Unfortunately, Big Mother has other plans. She accuses her of stealing, and Be is drugged and sold. When she wakes up, she finds herself in a locked underground bunker being held captive with a group of young women. Be is too young to understand why they're prisoners, but at least she still has Meo! He was hiding in her shirt when she was taken. As weeks pass, Be makes a friend her own age, Ngan, even without speaking, and Meo becomes a solace for the women--being available for cuddles and catching the mice that annoy them.

Suddenly, a violent uprising enables the imprisoned women and girls to escape, only to realize the wider world of war is just as dangerous. Can Be and Meo, and their newfound friend, Ngan, find their way to a safe place they can call home--even though the world is literally exploding all around them?

A beautiful literary work, full of kindness and compassion amidst the devastation of war.