(2) 4-6 Adopted Cambodian-British fifth grader Dara is gobsmacked when she isn't given the lead in the school musical. Dara's realization that acting involves putting oneself in another's shoes helps her become a better actor, friend, and sister. With themes of transracial adoption, racism, identity, friendship, and sibling rivalry, there's a lot going on, but Shevah's novel raises interesting questions without attempting to neatly answer them all.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(3) K-3 In this original fable, four animals that all wish to become King meet Elephant, an enlivened statue from the ancient Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat. He invites them to race to demonstrate that they have the regal qualities of "strength, compassion, resilience, and courage." Intricate, handsome digital renderings depict the temple, animals, and lush countryside; a butterfly hides in each spread.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) YA McCormick's novel draws on hundreds of hours of interviews with Arn Chorn-Pond, who was eleven in 1975 when the Khmer Rouge gained control of Cambodia. Written in realistically halting English, the narrative might be unreadable if not for Arn's brash, resilient personality. McCormick creates an unflinching, riveting portrait of genocide as seen through a boy's eyes.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(4) K-3 Through vividly recalled stories, Dara learns of her grandmother's (Lok Yeay) life in Cambodia with her beloved brother before the invasion of the Khmer Rouge. Later, when Lok Yeay learns of her brother's death, Dara consoles her devastated grandmother with a hopeful story of her own. Lush oils illustrate this sentimental refugee story; information on Cambodian heritage is appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Sobol gives a personal, even casual, account of his visit to Cambodia's massive twelfth-century temple complex, the world's largest religious structure. An especially appealing section pairs photos of temple carvings with pictures of contemporary Cambodians engaged in similar activities (e.g., carrying water buckets, playing native instruments). There's some romanticizing of Sobol's experiences--and of historical record--in this otherwise inviting photo-essay. Glos.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sopaul Nhem. A nine-year-old Cambodian boy describes being ordered by the Khmer Rouge on a forced march to a countryside concentration camp, where inhumanities surround him. This introduction to the Cambodian genocide will mesmerize young readers (at one point, the starving boy pulls off a frog's legs and eats them). The oil paintings, though uneven in quality, have a grim realism.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) YA With Martha E. Kendall. This riveting memoir begins in 1973 when the Khmer Rouge attack the Cambodian village of nine-year-old Nawuth, killing five of his family members. His stamina and resourcefulness as he and his remaining family endure unthinkable horrors is astonishing. Readers take comfort knowing upfront that Nawuth is alive today, and, with the help of his professor, Kendall, sharing his extraordinary tale. Timeline.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2010

(4) K-3 Visit To series. In each revised and updated book, thirteen double-page spreads with one photo per page cover topics such as landmarks (natural and man-made), dress (traditional and modern), homes, transportation, and leisure activities. Unremarkable texts, consisting of a few large-type sentences under each picture, point out similarities to American customs while introducing cultural traditions. Pronunciation guides for a few words are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Visit To titles: Cambodia, China, India, Japan, and Vietnam.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Unearthing Ancient Worlds series. Each volume begins with a snapshot look at an ancient civilization, then reveals the history of its archaeological site. Readers are given insight into who the first explorers were and their lasting contributions, in addition to future digs and discoveries at the sites. Numerous sidebars, maps, and illustrations provide more information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Unearthing Ancient Worlds titles: Angkor Wat and Easter Island.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jason Gaillard. The census taker visits Sophy's Cambodian village wearing flashy running shoes. He later sends her a pair, which allows her to make the eight-kilometer trek across rocky terrain to attend school. Both the realistic-looking paintings and text can be stiff at times, but readers will admire Sophy's perseverance, her bright pink shoes bobbing along the pages as she races to school.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shino Arihara. This sophisticated picture book describes the life of Arn Chorn-Pond as a boy in 1970s Cambodia. At a children's work camp, he learned to play the khim (a traditional Cambodian instrument) and found that his talent could help himself and others temporarily escape the horror around them. Arihara's paintings effectively contrast the lush countryside with the severity of life in the labor camp.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Visual Geography series. Color photographs, maps, and sidebars combine with a dry but informative text to introduce the geography, history, government, people, cultural life, and economy of Cambodia. The book is intended to be used with a designated website with up-to-date information for the report-driven reader. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(2) YA First Person Fiction series. Nakri's sheltered childhood ends abruptly when the Khmer Rouge evacuate her city of Phnom Penh. The book follows Nakri through four years in a labor camp, then her family's escape to Thailand and eventual immigration to America. Ho communicates heartbreakingly how, halfway around the world in Philadelphia, hearing Cambodian music gradually gives Nakri back the sweetness of her lost childhood. Reviewed in the Horn Book Magazine as Gathering the Dew, 5/03.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom

(4) K-3 Countries of the World series. This book, intended for report writers, offers brief, introductory information about Cambodia's geography, home and school life, food, animals, and leisure activities. With color photographs and a choppy text, the book is less extensive than an encyclopedia article. This volume concludes with directions for playing a game and a few Khmer words. A brief resource list is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Countries of the World series. The first half of each tour book-like volume is devoted to a country overview of geograpy, history, people, arts, and culture. The second half delves more closely into the country's highlights, including religious festivals, architecture, famous people, and special dishes. The text flow is interrupted somewhat by captions and sidebars. Clear color photos and maps illustrate the texts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Visit To series. In each book, thirteen double-page spreads with one full-color photo per page cover topics such as landmarks (one natural; one man-made), dress (traditional and modern), homes, transportation, and leisure activities. Unremarkable texts, consisting of a few large-type sentences under each picture, point out similarities to American customs, while introducing cultural traditions. Pronunciation guides for simple foreign words are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges