Never Fall Down Response
Lars Asmundsson 803

           Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick is a true story about about one boy's life during the Cambodian genocide. The protagonist, a boy named Arn Chorn-Pond, lives with his aunt and his three siblings in a small town in Cambodia when one day soldiers "dressed in pajama" overtake his town and evict everyone, marching them to rice fields miles away. Throughout the time Arn spends in the fields, he witnesses one of the most gruesome genocides in history. Through courage and cowardice, generosity and greed, Arn is able to survive against all odds.

           The Khmer Rouge or 'Red Cambodia' were, as it sounds, a communist guerrilla group. They were lead by Pol Pot and were able to overthrow the monarchy in Cambodia and set up an semi-communist government. They murdered anyone previously high in social class. Arn witnesses many people with lighter skin or larger cheeks get "taken to the mango grove" and never seen again. Arn uses his cleverness to stay on the good side of his captors and becomes "little bit famous" by singing, dancing, and playing and instrument at concerts with many high-ranking Cambodian officials in attendance. As Vietnam invades Cambodia, Arn is given a weapon and used as bait to locate where the vietnamese are, and eventually finds himself in a refugee camp where he meets an American man who brings him to the U.S along with a few other boys. Arn becomes 'the face' of the Cambodian genocide and, with help from his newfound american friend, brings attention to the travesty. Arn does not always make morally-correct choices, but he does show compassion at times and, although he puts his survival first in terms of priorities, he does look out for those close to him. Arn, in no little way, is a hero.

          To conclude, Arn shows bravery in the face of danger. It is amazing how a gruesome conflict can form unlikely-friendships, and this book highlighted that.