Really powerful book. I've read books by Elie Wiesel, the Palawan massacre, the Bataan Death March, Mao's labor camps, and other horrific events. This one was the most challenging to read. The title of the book does not do it justice. The Khmer Rouge did so many horrific things to Luong and her family long before they killed her father.

My only criticism is throughout the book the author drifted into her imagination quite a bit. At times it was hard to follow if she was really seeing something or if it was just in her thoughts.

Great book! I think every middle and high school student should read this book. It showed how quickly values had changed for a little girl who lost her perfect life in beautiful family house in matter of several days .

Luong Ung tells of the suffering of her family with such vivid emotions. I cried throughout listening to the audio version. It is hard to believe how she survived years of starvation and hard work as a child. Looking forward to her movie produced by Angela Jolie. A must read because it will help understand the plights of refugees.