Children of the River

Children of the River
Author Linda Crew
Country United States
Language English
Publisher Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers
Publication date
 1989
Pages 240
ISBN 978-0-440-21022-1
OCLC 24304470

Children of the River is a young adult novel by Linda Crew published in 1989. It follows the story of a young girl who moves from Cambodia to live in the United States of America.

Synopsis

Sundara Sovann is a Cambodian girl growing up in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. Sundara's childhood includes a boy named Chamroeun, described as charming and a smart boy. Chamroeun and Sundara's parents joke that they will one day be married. Sundara falls in love with Chamroeun, but Chamroeun goes to fight in the war as a soldier, right before Sundara leaves to go to her uncle and aunt's house. When Sundara is at her aunt and uncle's house she flees from Cambodia with her aunt, Soka, her grandma, and her uncle, Naro, to escape the 1975 takeover of the country by the Khmer Rouge. She leaves her family behind in Cambodia, which she regrets later in the novel. Sundara's aunt Soka just had a baby, right before they had to leave. While on the small, very cramped ship, Sundara is put in charge of the infant, as Soka is drifting in and out of awareness. The baby is extremely malnourished, and Sundara, eager to save her cousin, asks a mother for her breast milk to help the baby get better. The mother states, "I would, but... Oh, this is all so terrible. I'm not getting enough to drink myself. Soon I'm afraid I won't have milk for my own.".[1] She then goes to a helper and asks for some extra milk, or supplies. He gives her a hard time, but eventually gives her some powdered milk, and some sugar water in a bottle. The baby soon dies shortly after, devastating Sundara.

Sundara eventually makes it to America. She seems to understand American ways, but not the reasons behind them. To Sundara's dismay, a teacher, Mrs. Cathcart, reads her poem assignment aloud to the class. It is about her having to leave Cambodia, and all the people dying there. Sundara, along with Soka, work for Mr. Bonner, a farmer. Sundara also works Mr. Bonner's fruit stand at the market.[2] There, she meets Jonathan, a boy her age, who attends the same school and seems very sweet to Sundara. He compliments Sundara many times. Sundara also cannot help herself from admiring him.[3] Soon he befriends her, asking to interview her about her life in Cambodia.[4] Sundara is shy about her family history; She has trouble opening up to him. Sundara and Jonathan soon fall for each other. Sundara's aunt has trouble accepting her crush. In fact, as soon as Soka knows of it, she makes Sundara promise that she will not talk to Jonathan anymore. She reluctantly agrees.[5] Despite her promise, Sundara sneaks away to see Jonathan. Sundara soon finds out Chamroeun has been killed. She almost breaks down, but Jonathan comforts her. When he asks her why she didn't cry, she explains that she hasn't been able to cry since she left Cambodia.

As Sundara starts to adapt to American ways, she learns that her new friend Jonathan is popular at school. Jonathan's girlfriend, Cathy Gates, says nobody really seems to understand Jonathan but Cathy. According to Cathy, "Jonathan and I have been going together since the ninth grade. We have something very special between us." [6] As Sundara and Jonathan's relationship builds, they start eating lunch together, and he then asks her to the movies. Sundara realizes she is becoming more American after being told, "You know, you ought to watch how much you become American.".[7]

Sundara and her friend Moni have dinner. They end up reminded, that in their society back home all marriages are arranged. On top of Sundara having this problem, news is spreading through the school about her and Jonathan. Cathy soon finds out about their [friendship], and she is not happy. Cathy stands up for herself and decides to face Sundara; Sundara does not seem to want to face Cathy.

Sundara has trouble understanding Jonathan's relationship with Cathy. She finds herself confused about a lot of things, such as girls showering together after gym class.[8] It is clear that Sundara has feelings for Jonathan, but cannot show him. Later, one night after a football game, her cousin Ravy gets home to tell Sundara that Jonathan was hurt while playing. Sundara becomes worried and goes to see him. In the hospital, Jonathan explains to Sundara how he dislikes Cathy's attention. He wishes that she had not sent him balloons. "I knew it," he says. "Cathy. I wish she wouldn't do stuff like this." He also admits to Sundara that he loves her.[9]

Sundara is not able to get her mind off Jonathan. She is also told that Jonathan is quitting the football team, due to what Sundara has told him about Cambodia. Cathy is upset and knows something is going on between Jonathan and Sundara. She realizes Jonathan likes Sundara. Everything changes when Jonathan's father goes on a mission trip, solely because Jonathon yelled at his dad for not following through on going to help. Jonathan is ashamed that he yelled at his father, and wishes he hadn't. It seems to get harder to see each other after that. When Moni, her friend from Cambodia takes a trip with her to collect bottles, Sundara notices a broken doll. The doll reminds her of her aunt's dead baby, making her collapse into hysterics. Sobbing, Sundara is dragged home by Moni and taken inside. After Grandmother claims the baby girl`s spirit has taken over Sundara, the women all pray for a release on Sundara. Soka confesses her feelings about Sundara, which makes Sundara understand how Soka feels about her. Later, Sundara gets a letter informing her that her sister, Mayoury is alive in a Thai border camp. The book ends on a happy note, with Sundara confessing her love to Jonathan. She philosophizes about the up and downs of life, ending by comparing life to a river. Hence, "Children of the River."

Characters

Writing

Linda Crew researched Cambodia before writing the book to include more accurate information about the culture: "I knew nothing about the history and culture of Cambodia, so I spent a year in research before I ever started writing the first rough draft of the book." [10]

Major themes

Children of the River has been praised for its ability to help young readers understand international affairs. It addresses "cultural leaps that a refugee must attempt." One reviewer remarked that "this novel has helped young adults understand the experience of Cambodian refugees settling in the United States after the Vietnam conflict."[11]

Another theme that is portrayed throughout the novel is the "basic goodness of humankind which triumphs in some way even under the most inhumane circumstances."

Awards

See also

References

  1. ↑ Crew, p. 6
  2. ↑ Crew, p. 22
  3. ↑ Crew, p. 29
  4. ↑ Crew, p. 40
  5. ↑ Crew, p. 114
  6. ↑ Crew, p. 91
  7. ↑ Crew, p. 79
  8. ↑ Crew, p. 133
  9. ↑ Crew, p. 156
  10. ↑ Children of the River. LindaCrew.com
  11. ↑ Moloney, James (23 March 2005). "Vietnam / Cambodia". Library Media Connection 23 (6): 42.
  12. 1 2 3 Vijaya Vavilikolanu. Jennifer E. Moore, ed. "Book Review: Children of the River". Books R4 Teens. The College of Education, University of Texas at Austin.

Crew, Linda (1989). Children of the River. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-440-21022-4. OCLC 24304470. 

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