Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

The Best We Could Do is a stunning achievement—one of those rare memoirs that's both deeply personal and universally resonant. Thi Bui's illustrations are gorgeous, her writing is poetic without being precious, and the story she tells about war, displacement, and the impossible task of understanding your parents is genuinely profound.

But let's be clear: this is heavy. The content warnings are real—war violence, child abuse, starvation, trauma. It's not gratuitous, but it's unflinching. This isn't a book you hand to a middle schooler without serious consideration.

For high schoolers studying immigration, the Vietnam War, or graphic memoirs, this is essential reading. For adults, especially those navigating their own relationships with immigrant parents or grappling with what it means to become a parent yourself, this book will break you open. The WISE score reflects its exceptional literary merit balanced against its mature, difficult content—it's not 'safe' in the traditional sense, but it's absolutely worth reading when you're ready for it.

Age Fit

This is firmly high school and up (14+), ideally for older teens and adults. The mature content—war, abuse, trauma—requires emotional readiness and historical context. It's an important, beautiful book, but not one for middle schoolers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

An emotionally honest memoir about family, sacrifice, and intergenerational trauma. Models resilience and the complexity of parent-child relationships, though the tone is heavy and melancholic rather than uplifting. The narrative centers on understanding and empathy, but includes difficult family dynamics including child abuse and emotional distance.

Imaginative

81

Thi Bui's graphic novel format is a creative choice that brings visual poetry to memoir. The illustrated style invites readers to experience memory and emotion in a unique way, blending art and narrative. The nonlinear structure—weaving between past and present—requires active engagement and invites reflection on how we construct our own family stories.

Safe

45

Contains significant content warnings: war violence, starvation, child abuse, trauma, and the harrowing escape from Vietnam. Web search results explicitly mention 'violence that Thi's family experienced' and 'child abuse' as content warnings. While not gratuitous, these are real and painful depictions that would be disturbing for younger readers encountering them unexpectedly.

Enriching

88

Profoundly enriching for mature readers. Offers deep insight into the Vietnamese refugee experience, the lasting effects of war and displacement, and the universal struggle of understanding one's parents. National Book Award winner and NBCC finalist. Builds empathy, historical understanding, and perspective on immigration. The parallel narrative of Bui becoming a mother while understanding her own mother's sacrifices is powerful and thought-provoking.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Award-winning literary memoir (American Book Award, NBCC finalist) that treats the Vietnamese refugee experience with nuance and artistry
The graphic novel format makes complex intergenerational trauma accessible and visually stunning—Bui's illustrations are haunting and beautiful
Offers crucial perspective on immigration, war, and what parents sacrifice that their children never see
The parallel narrative of Bui becoming a mother while excavating her parents' past is deeply moving and universally resonant
Builds historical empathy and understanding of the Vietnam War's human cost in a way textbooks never could

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What to Watch For

This is not light reading—expect war violence, starvation, child abuse, and heavy emotional content throughout
The nonlinear timeline and reflective pacing might feel slow for readers expecting plot-driven narrative
Best suited for high schoolers and adults who can process complex trauma and historical context
Some readers find the art style and muted color palette add to the melancholic tone—it's intentional but can feel heavy

Conversation Starters

"What do you think Bui means when she realizes 'to live in a war is to live in an unfinished story'?"
"How does becoming a parent herself change how she sees her own parents? Have you ever had a moment like that with your own family?"
"Why do you think she chose to tell this story as a graphic novel instead of traditional prose?"
"What did you learn about the refugee experience that surprised you or that you hadn't thought about before?"
"The book explores what gets lost when families don't talk about their past—what stories in our own family do we not know yet?"

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