Never Fall Down

This National Book Award nominee from two-time finalist Patricia McCormick is the unforgettable story of Arn Chorn-Pond, who defied the odds to survive the Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979 and the labor camps of the Khmer Rouge.

Based on the true story of Cambodian advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, and authentically told from his point of view as a young boy, this is an achingly raw and powerful historical novel about a child of war who becomes a man of peace. It includes an author's note and acknowledgments from Arn Chorn-Pond himself.

When soldiers arrive in his hometown, Arn is just a normal little boy. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever.

Arn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp: working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children dying before his eyes. One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers.

This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier.

Supports the Common Core State Standards.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Published: 05/08/2012
ISBN: 9780061730931
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.80w x 1.10d
Award: Rhode Island Teen Book Award - Nominee
Award: National Book Awards - Finalist

Review Citations: Voice of Youth Advocates 02/01/2012 pg. 596 - Recommended - Hard To Beat
Booklist 03/01/2012 pg. 77
Publishers Weekly 03/26/2012 pg. 83
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2012
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2012 pg. 93
School Library Journal 05/01/2012 pg. 112
Shelf Awareness 06/12/2012
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2012 - Book Of Special Distinction
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2012 pg. 105 - Superior,Well Above Average
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/02/2012 pg. 33
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2012 pg. 32
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2013 pg. 12
BookPage 05/01/2012

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 151433 / Never Fall Down
Reading Level: 4.5 / Interest Level: Upper Grade / Point Value: 7