{"product_id":"never-fall-down-a-novel-isbn-9780061730931","title":"Never Fall Down: A Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis National Book Award nominee from two-time finalist Patricia McCormick is the unforgettable story of Arn Chorn-Pond, who defied the odds to survive the Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979 and the labor camps of the Khmer Rouge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the true story of Cambodian advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, and authentically told from his point of view as a young boy, this is an achingly raw and powerful historical novel about a child of war who becomes a man of peace. It includes an author's note and acknowledgments from Arn Chorn-Pond himself. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen soldiers arrive in his hometown, Arn is just a normal little boy. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp: working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children dying before his eyes.  One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupports the Common Core State Standards.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eWhen soldiers arrive at his hometown in Cambodia, Arn is just a kid, dancing to rock 'n' roll, hustling for spare change, and selling ice cream with his brother. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever. Arn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp: working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children, weak from hunger, malaria, or sheer exhaustion, dying before his eyes. He sees prisoners marched to a nearby mango grove, never to return. And he learns to be invisible to the sadistic Khmer Rouge, who can give or take away life on a whim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. In order to survive, he must quickly master the strange revolutionary songs the soldiers demand—and steal food to keep the other kids alive. This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated from the Khmer Rouge, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. He lives by the simple credo: \u003cem\u003eOver and over I tell myself one thing: never fall down.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, this is an achingly raw and powerful novel about a child of war who becomes a man of peace, from National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003ePraise for PURPLE HEART: “In this suspenseful psychological thriller…McCormick raises moral questions without judgment and will have readers examining not only this conflict but the nature of heroism and war.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for PURPLE HEART: “McCormick builds the plot subtly and carefully with rich, spare prose.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for PURPLE HEART: “Gripping details of existence in a war zone bring this to life.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eALA Booklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“One of the most inspiring and powerful books I’ve ever read. Never Fall Down can teach us all about finding the courage to speak our truth and change the world.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eArchbishop Desmond Tutu\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Arn Chorn Pond is a fast-talking dynamo with endless energy and zest for life.  In Never Fall Down, Patricia McCormick captures brilliantly the man, his heart, and his passion to make Cambodia and our world a better place for all.  Arn’s against-all-odds survival story and McCormick’s crisp prose gripped me from the first page to the very end.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLoung Ung, bestelling author of First They Killed My Father, and Lucky Child\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A gripping account of the inner turmoil of a child soldier.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Following the pattern of excellence McCormick began with her novel SOLD, she has created another amazing story through skilled and patient research.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVoice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Powerfully, hauntingly unforgettable.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“While never shying from the ugliness and brutality of this genocide, McCormick crafts a powerful tribute to the human spirit.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“McCormick’s novel is one that needs to be read.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This compelling chronicle deserves to be widely read, discussed, and reflected upon by a generation of young people who may be largely unaware of this dark chapter in world history.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888634720485,"sku":"NP9780061730931","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780061730931.jpg?v=1730229494","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/never-fall-down-a-novel-isbn-9780061730931","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}