Loung Ung tells the heart-wrenching story of how the Khmer Rouge one day turned her privileged life upside down as they force them to leave their home in the city of Phnom Penh and wander from village to village. The Khmer Rouge eventually kill her father and mother and her sister dies from disease. She feels so guilty taking a handful of rice in the middle of the night because she is so hungry as she sees it as stealing from her family. She goes through training as a orphan soldier and then almost gets raped by a Youn soldier. She finally reunites with her two brothers and gets to leave the country and go to the United States and write her story.
It is a great true story that would resonate with a lot of students since it is written from the perspective of a little girl. She is very honest about what is happening around her. I have heard from other teachers that they assign this book as the summer reading for AP World History.
I would highly recommend it since it is very well written and gives a lot of insights as to what individuals went through during the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. It is much easier to understand the situation through personal stories than it is through mere death figures.
It makes me want to interact with the native more and ask about their experiences and ask about how things are now in the present.
I enjoyed the complex relationships with her siblings that she describes well especially with her sisters. As someone who also has a sister, it was touching to hear her be frank and honest about the tender moments she shares with each one.