Children of the River

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Summary: Differences between the Two Cultures - America and Cambodia
Review: I recommend Children of the River to young adult readers.
The experiences Sundara faces makes her grow up, mature and face her inner thoughts, Her experiences allows her to see two sides of life, the Cambodian way of life vs the American way of life. The differences are seen and felt when you live in another country. Sometimes , though it is hard to understand the differences.
Some of the differences between the cultures are in areas of dating, holidays, family traditions and education.
Children of the River is a must read for young adults and older to learn about the differences between the two cultures.

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Summary: Boring, BoRiNg, BORING!!! (oh and did I say BORING!!!)
Review: I had a hard time trying to enjoy this novel since the plot didn't concern me at all..I couldn't venture my opinion about one's reasons to flee another country and show up in a new one since I won't ever leave the United States for any reason even if a war is going on (I mean we're at war right now with Afghanistan that won't make me leave). I practically already knew what one must go through to adapt to another country since I've traveled to Europe and undertstood how their culture doesn't match the USA's beliefs on some issues, so reading about Sundara's struggles to life in America was really a rehashment of what I already knew and my assumptions on life in another place. Also, Cambodia's beliefs on marriage don't reflect on everyone's reasons for getting married so I don't understand why I should have to read about a plot that doesn't affect me and many other citizens of my homeland. Plus, her romance with Jonathan wasn't great at all. These two had absolutely no chemistry! Plus, the names of all the characters were weird as well. I also struggled to stay awake while reading this story in which I didn't care if Jonathan or Sundara got married or if she would ever return to Cambodia due to J & S having zero chemistry and the fact that I know what people go through when moving from one country to another that has different customs. This story was a complete waste of about 200 pages and a month of my time (I had to read this for freshman english in high school and I knew a teacher at my school who found this book corny and ridiculous...I COULD NOT AGREE WITH HER MORE). Stay away from this novel as far as you can possibly be! If you're interested in boring novels with unresolvable relationship issues and a questionable move from one environment to another then read this story. Otherwise, pick up a copy of a good classic such as Of Mice and Men or Wuthering Heights

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This book is awesome! I know some people say it is leaking with sterotypes (SP?) but it is really good. It does not say America is not all Caucasion, nor imply it, it tells you that she lives in a mostly white town. As for Asian families being strict, who decides strict? Maybe Western families are too lax. All opinion. The book is about a Cambodian girl who is forced to leave Cambodia during their war in 1975. She is still, 4 years later, struggling to fit in. At her high school she meets Jonathan, a white boy, and the 2 teenagers are powerfully attracted to each other. But a good Cambodian girl never dates, she waits for her family to arrange a marriage for her. But feelings are hard to control. The book is basically about her and her budding relationship with Jonathan. A very good read!

Rating:
Summary: A must for everyone!
Review: This is a great book for teens (even adults might like it). It doesn't contain the everyday [content] that some other books offer. It portrays a wonderful (and partly true!) story of a teenage girl named Sundara who's struggling to find a new life in the U.S.A with her aunts family. Different points of views are shown by both sundara, her aunts family, cambodian traditions and the average american family. A must read even for someone who isn't intrested inwars! It will make you realize what struggles some people have to put up with in this world!

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Summary: From a 9th grade high school student's point of view
Review: I had never heard of Children of the River until I was assigned to read it in English class. Once I started to read it, it was impossible for me to put it down. It made me realize that anything could happen to anyone and that you shouldn't seem as if when you are with your parents and other family or friends, you are bored and want to be somewhere else; one day you might not have that option to see them. I have learned a great deal from 15-year-old Sundara and I know that anyone else who reads this amazing book by Linda Crew will feel the same.

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Summary: Old Ways Meet New
Review: This is an excellent realistic representation of the experience of many Cambodians as well as other refugees. On one level, it is an intriguing story for teens to read about the experiences of others. On another level, it addresses the situation refugees find themselves in, and yet another level calls into question how we in America view the importance of assimilation into our culture and way of doing things versus maintaining the cultural identity of others. It gives teens a springboard for examining their own values and how to preserve the right of each person to their own values.

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Summary: Fascinating story
Review: Reading Children of the River by Linda Crew was a fascinating experience this book made me realize the importance of letting your parents know each day how much you love them. Sundara, the main character,is a Cambodian girl who had to leave her country along with her aunt Soka and her family because of the Khmer Rouge attack on her homeland. Sundara had to leave her parents,friends, siblings and Chameroun-the boy she loved. Coming to America Sundara had to adapt to a totally different custom that of Americans. Although her aunt Soka kept implementing in her house and in Sundara their old traditions. Sundara, eventually falls in love with an American boy, Jonathan. Jonathan is fascinated with Sundara's past and he wants to make her his present. I loved the book, it was awesome. I recommend everyone to read it, Teenagers, Children and even Adults because everyone would definetly find something that interests them.

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Summary: Good Book to read
Review: Children of the River was a good book to read because people wasn't getting along with each and everyone in
Cambodia,Vietnam,and Thailand.It was a good for me to know what hannen in my country in Cambodia.it you want to sit down and read,read this book.If you want to know what happen to your families and friends was at the country dying.If you read this book you would know alot about what happen.In one part in the book is was one part may me think a little because why would their own people killing each.

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Summary: wonderful book! I'd suggest it to anyone
Review: This has been one of my favorite books for at least seven or eight years (i'm now 21). i still have my original copy and I also plan to buy more copies for my classroom when I begin teaching on my own. I haven't read it for a couple of years but I'm going to read it this week to review it for my children lit class, and got so excited about getting to read it again that I decided to tell all of you how great it is. I hope you enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: it's good
Review: i thought the book ws really good. my friend was reading it and i borowed it. i bought it because i thought it was really good. you could really see how the characters felt and how hard it was to come here. it kind of shows you how hard it might be to fit in, in a diffrent culture.even now in america they still have a hard life. i think anyone older 12 or older could read it. i've read it like more than 10 times. i recomend it. we had to read it for school too. some of my friends didn't like it because the names were hard to pronounce so... but i think you should read it.