Modern Jungles
A Hmong Refugee’s Childhood Story of Survival
Pao Lor
An inspiring coming-of-age tale of perseverance, grit, and hope.
168 pages, 5.5 x 8.5, 18 b&w photos
Paperback: $20.00 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-959-8
Ebook: $15.99 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-960-4
Publication Date: 3/22/2021
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Description
As a five-year-old boy, Pao Lor was one among thousands of Hmong people who fled for their lives through the jungles of Laos in the aftermath of the Secret War, waged during the Vietnam War era. After a difficult and perilous journey that neither of his parents survived, Pao reached the relative safety of a refugee camp in Thailand—but the young refugee boy’s challenges were only just beginning. Decades later, Pao Lor shares his journey with readers in this powerful memoir.
Born in a small farming village, Pao was destined to be a Hmong clan leader, wedding negotiator, or shaman. But the course of his life changed dramatically in the 1970s, when the Hmong people faced retaliation for their role in helping the United States fight communist forces in the region. After more than two years in Thai refugee camps, Pao and his surviving family members boarded the belly of an “iron eagle” bound for the United States, where he envisioned a new life of comfort and happiness. Instead, Pao found himself navigating a frightening and unfamiliar world, adjusting to a string of new schools and living situations while struggling to fulfill the hopes his parents had once held for his future.
Modern Jungles presents an inspiring coming-of-age tale full of perseverance, grit, and hope. This deeply personal memoir also includes discussion questions for use by book clubs, in classrooms, or around the dinner table.
Author Bio
Pao Lor
Pao Lor is Associate Dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Prior to this appointment, he served as budgetary chair for the Professional Program in Education and held the Wood Baer Professorship of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. He received his PhD in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2001. In 2026, Lor released a follow-up to Modern Jungles called Bamboo Son: A Hmong Refugee’s Search for Identity and the American Dream, also published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. He currently resides with his family in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
Discussion Guide
Whether you’re enjoying Pao Lor's Modern Jungles on your own or as part of a book club or discussion group, this companion discussion guide will enhance your reading experience. Use our discussion questions to dig deeper and discover new perspectives and ways of understanding Lor's story and experiences.
Discussion GuideEducational Resources
In Modern Jungles: A Hmong Refugee’s Childhood Story of Survival, students will explore the remarkable journey of Pao Lor, a young Hmong boy who fled through the jungles of Laos after the Secret War, survived the loss of his parents, and faced the challenges of resettling in the United States. Through his story, students encounter the consequences of historical events, government policies, and individual choices, while examining themes of resilience, perseverance, and hope. Reading Modern Jungles and engaging with the accompanying educational activities helps students understand the refugee experience, the Hmong community’s contributions, and the human capacity to overcome adversity.
To bring Modern Jungles into your classroom or district, visit our How to Order for Schools page for bulk pricing, educator discounts, and ordering options.
Modern Jungles
A Hmong Refugee’s Childhood Story of Survival
Pao Lor
168 pages, 5.5 x 8.5, 18 b&w photos
To purchase a copy, follow the links below or visit your favorite bookseller.
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