I had planned to give this book to my niece after reading it, but I think I'll donate it to the local abuse shelter instead. I didn't enjoy reading it, because it was too upsetting. But it might be good for a child who has had an unhealthy family life to read about others in similarly difficult situations, so see that s/he is not alone, and that things can turn out okay.

The messages about abuse and friendship were poignant, but I'm not sure what the author is trying to say about gam More...

This book is about a girl who's parents met in Cambodia.When they move to America the girl is born.Now that she is almost grown up she understands more.What the girl doesn't know is that her life is about to get hard.Her life is about to get so hard that one of her parents will leave.When one of them leaves her life just got harder and harder.

A true voice of a Cambodian youth who has family problems. Her father swings from dutiful to devil in minutes, leaving Amy to be mature beyond her years. Her mother is absent.The style of language fits the compelling story. A fabulous first novel by a Pittsburgh author.