Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick is the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a survivor of the war in Cambodia, and one of the worst examples of genocide in world history, known as the Killing Fields. As a young boy, Arn enjoyed many things that were available in the country in 1975. Rock and Roll music, American movies, and ice cream were the norm until the communist government called, the Khmer Rouge, took over the country, forcing everyone into violently run work camps, separating families, destroying villages, and eventually killing millions.Through fate and Arn's will to survive, he falls into an opportunity to be one of the favored prisoners of the Khmer Rouge through his musical talents, even though he didn't know how to play a single note. Being faced with the option of either play or die, Arn chose to play, and to be the best.
Arn experiences many of the atrocities of war first hand while a prisoner and child soldier of the Khmer Rouge. During his fighting with against Vietnamese army, Arn is able to escape to Thailand where he is placed in a refugee camp. While there, survival and Arn's drive to be the best gets him noticed by an American missionary who takes Arn and a couple of boys back to America. Unfortunately Arn can not escape his violent past. As he tries to adjust to his strange new country, ghosts of his past keep him from settling into his new home peacefully. In the end, Arn learns to trust his new family and adapt to life in America while eventually becoming the spokesperson in America about the homeless children still suffering in Cambodia.
I was disturbed by this book at times, because of the amount of violence portrayed by the author. I had to keep reminding myself that as bad as it appears, reality was probably worse. Some things can not be put into words, but Patricial McCormick certainly tried. With this in mind, I'm not sure this book is appropriate for everyone.
Here is my dilemma. How can I promote a book with such a serious story to be told, yet it might contain content too disheartening for my students? What do you think I should do?
Sound very interesting. I have read many book about Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, I am look forward on reading this book after i finish "A Million Shades Of Gray"
ReplyDeleteYou were one of the people I thought about when I read this book. I know you have some background knowledge on this topic, so it might not seem so unreal.
DeleteFor one this sounds really interesting. I have had a book smialar it is called "A Long Walk to Water" even though it is not as harsh it has a very simalar background because there is war many people are killed, but salva survives while gong to refugee camps. Salva goes to america and he gets a new family. He goes back to sundan and puts in water pipes for clean water. Even though "Never Fall Down" is not quite like "A Long Walk to Water" it is simalar and recommend it. If this book is too dishearting for your students I think you should explain to your students that this book is not to be fooled around with that it basically is a true story and that it will contain some awesome facts while it is a vey serious topic and book. I think you should explain to them that there are a lot of inquary oppratunities and thier minds should have a lot of thinking and to write it all down. Tell them they should come to you if they need help. Tell them it is ok to ask for hrlp and don't be embaressed to come at lunch and talk to you. That is my advice for you. One more thing you are not that bad of a literacy teacher you will find the right thing to say.
ReplyDeleteDakota - please reread you comments for conventions. Great connection to Long Walk to Water. The books do have similar themes. The author's style is certainly different. Thank you for your advise.
DeleteThis book sounds very interesting. I think that what Dakota said was very true,though i haven't read"A Long Walk To Water", They can have a lot in common and that they are both human rights books.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just finish a book that related to human rights? How do you think a book like this can make you understand current events better? Would you be motivated to read a good book just to learn about a particular region?
DeleteThank you very much for writing such an interesting article on this topic. This has really made me think and I hope to read more. Hiking Bariloche
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