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Paul Hankins's Reviews > Never Fall Down
Never Fall Down
by Patricia McCormick
by Patricia McCormick
Paul Hankins's review
bookshelves: april-2012-reads, mr-hankins-says-don-t-miss, non-fiction-encourages-thoughtful-c, young-adult-diversity, young-adult-memorable-writing, young-adult-multicultural, young-adult-reader-advisor-book, young-adult-social-issues
Apr 14, 12
bookshelves: april-2012-reads, mr-hankins-says-don-t-miss, non-fiction-encourages-thoughtful-c, young-adult-diversity, young-adult-memorable-writing, young-adult-multicultural, young-adult-reader-advisor-book, young-adult-social-issues
Read from April 13 to 14, 2012
"As a child, I never imagined good people in the world. . ."
In 1979, fourteen-year old, Arn Chorn-Pond, wandered into a United Nations camp on the border of Thailand. He was adopted by a minister. A year later, Arn Chorn, now Arn Chorn-Pond was a New Hampshire high school student.
In Patricia McCormick's newest release, we read about Arn Chorn-Pond's experiences as an eleven-year-old in "The Killing Fields." Forced by Khmer Rouge soldiers to play their revolution songs, Arn must learn not only to play an instrument himself but he must help the other boys to learn to play theirs. Only later will Arn realize the horrifying truth of why he asked to play continually through the day.
The book is as raw and brutal as the experiences of its main character. Look for descriptions and depictions of violence and torture. NEVER FALL DOWN should be part of a reader advisory conversation with students, but this does not exclude the book from classroom discussions that might be best suited for U. S. History or International Relations courses.
McCormick pulls no punches by allowing Arn Chorn-Pond to share his story--which he had done with audiences since 1979--with a voice that will not soon be forgotten by readers.
Patricia McCormick sits down with Arn Chorn-Pond in this video created and posted by Harper Teen:
http://youtu.be/L-A_Y1kjJww
Arn Chorn-Pond "Everyone Has a Story" (ten minutes):
http://youtu.be/9uHeCzSM_PI
Arn Chorn-Pond has been awarded many humanitarian awards to include the Spirit of Anne Frank Award and the Reebok Human Rights Award. He speaks at high schools to share his story with young people encouraging them to think about their roles as world citizens.
I am so pleased that my friends at Harper Collins thought that I should see this book a little early and I thank our friends there for having sent this title.
In 1979, fourteen-year old, Arn Chorn-Pond, wandered into a United Nations camp on the border of Thailand. He was adopted by a minister. A year later, Arn Chorn, now Arn Chorn-Pond was a New Hampshire high school student.
In Patricia McCormick's newest release, we read about Arn Chorn-Pond's experiences as an eleven-year-old in "The Killing Fields." Forced by Khmer Rouge soldiers to play their revolution songs, Arn must learn not only to play an instrument himself but he must help the other boys to learn to play theirs. Only later will Arn realize the horrifying truth of why he asked to play continually through the day.
The book is as raw and brutal as the experiences of its main character. Look for descriptions and depictions of violence and torture. NEVER FALL DOWN should be part of a reader advisory conversation with students, but this does not exclude the book from classroom discussions that might be best suited for U. S. History or International Relations courses.
McCormick pulls no punches by allowing Arn Chorn-Pond to share his story--which he had done with audiences since 1979--with a voice that will not soon be forgotten by readers.
Patricia McCormick sits down with Arn Chorn-Pond in this video created and posted by Harper Teen:
http://youtu.be/L-A_Y1kjJww
Arn Chorn-Pond "Everyone Has a Story" (ten minutes):
http://youtu.be/9uHeCzSM_PI
Arn Chorn-Pond has been awarded many humanitarian awards to include the Spirit of Anne Frank Award and the Reebok Human Rights Award. He speaks at high schools to share his story with young people encouraging them to think about their roles as world citizens.
I am so pleased that my friends at Harper Collins thought that I should see this book a little early and I thank our friends there for having sent this title.
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Reading Progress
| 04/13/2012 | page 85 |
|
38.0% | "Based upon interviews with Arn Chorn-Pond, McCormick gives us another important book to share with young adult readers. Thoughtful consideration regarding Cambodia and "The Killing Fields." Arn's voice is not to be missed and McCormick's forward and afterward are really something to ponder and to think about--how to keep the light of Arn's voice and afford syntax had to be a very important decision. Gutsy." |
| 04/13/2012 | page 86 |
|
38.0% | "http://youtu.be/L-A_Y1kjJww Patricia McCormick sits down with Arn Chorn-Pond, the focus of NEVER FALL DOWN." |
| 04/14/2012 | page 124 |
|
55.0% | "Spent some difficult minutes last night viewing some of Arn Chorn-Pond's videos on YouTube. Linked them to the working review for this book. Cheated and read the afterward. Moving through a difficult part of the work right now. Pushing through until the end." |
