In this gripping memoir, author Luong Ung recalls her family’s tumultuous escape from Phnom Penh in 1975. The reader is held captive as her tale chronicles how her family of nine bounced from village to village, hiding their education and affluent background in an effort to evade the Khmer Rouge army. Over the months that follow, Luong’s family is split, her father and mother disappearing while her remaining siblings are divided into labor camps, trained to be child soldiers. The memoir is unique in that it reads from a child’s perspective, and many scenes feel as though the reader is watching events unfold from knee height, ratcheting up the tension and adding a further dimension of hopelessness. While Luong’s story is only a small snapshot of what was a horrifying period in history, it is no less meaningful.

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.