Kao Kalia Yang

Kao Kalia Yang is the author of "The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir," which is one of the first memoirs by a Hmong writer released with national distribution. Driven
to tell her family's story after her grandmother's death, "The Latehomecomer" tells the story of her family's flight from Laos to Thailand, running away from the North Vietnam army who intended to wipe out the Hmong since they helped fight with the CIA during the Secret War of Laos from 1960 to 1975.
Yang was born in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in 1980. When she was seven years old, Yang's family immigrated to the United States. She grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota where she learned to live in two worlds while distinctly keeping in touch with her Hmong roots.
"The Late Homecomer" is Yang's tribute to the remarkable woman whose spirit held them all together -- her grandmother. It recounts the challenges of adapting to a new place and a new language. Her words give voice to the dreams, wisdom, and traditions passed down from her grandmother and expresses one perspective of a people who
have worked hard to make their voices heard.

Co-sponsored with the Hmong Organization Promoting Education (HOPE).