by Loung Ung
First published 2005
At ten years old, Loung Ung flees the Khmer Rouge's brutal regime in Cambodia, escaping to America with her brother. But she leaves behind her beloved sister Chou, who must survive the genocide alone. As Loung settles into a new life, she's haunted by guilt and the weight of her sister's fate. When they finally reunite years later, the sisters reckon with the scars of war and their unbreakable bond.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, biography-memoir, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, resilience
Setting: Cambodia, United States
Period: 20th century
320 pages · Paperback · HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd
Content warnings: child-death, war