Children of the River facts for kids
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| Author | Linda Crew |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers |
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Publication date
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1989 |
| Pages | 240 |
| ISBN | 978-0-440-21022-1 |
| OCLC | 24304470 |
Children of the River is a popular young adult novel written by Linda Crew. It was first published in 1989. The story is about a young girl named Sundara. She moves to a new town to escape a difficult situation in her home country, Cambodia. In her new home, she meets an American boy named Jonathan McKinnon. Their friendship becomes complicated because of the traditions of her culture.
Contents
Story Summary
Sundara's Journey
Sundara Sovann is a 12-year-old girl from Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. She grew up with a boy named Chamroeun. Everyone, including their parents, joked that they would marry one day. Sundara had feelings for Chamroeun. But he left to become a soldier in a war. This happened just before Sundara had to leave her home.
Sundara fled Cambodia with her aunt Soka, her grandmother, and her uncle Naro. They were escaping from a dangerous group called the Khmer Rouge. Sundara had to leave other family members behind. This was a very hard decision for her.
Her aunt Soka had just had a baby. On a small, crowded ship, Sundara was asked to care for the infant. Soka was very weak. The baby was not getting enough food. Sundara tried to find milk for her cousin. She asked another mother, but the mother did not have enough milk for her own child. Sundara then got some powdered milk and sugar water. Sadly, the baby died soon after. This was a very sad moment for Sundara.
New Life in America
Sundara eventually arrived in America. She tried to understand American customs. But she did not always understand why people did things. One day, her teacher, Mrs. Cathcart, read Sundara's poem aloud in class. The poem was about leaving Cambodia and the people who died there. Sundara felt shy about sharing her past.
Sundara and her aunt Soka worked for a farmer named Mr. Bonner. Sundara also helped at his fruit stand. There, she met Jonathan. He was a boy her age from her school. Jonathan was kind to Sundara. She found herself liking him. He asked to interview her about her life in Cambodia. Sundara found it hard to talk about her family's history.
Sundara and Jonathan started to like each other. But Sundara's Aunt Soka did not approve. As soon as Soka found out, she made Sundara promise not to talk to Jonathan. Later, Sundara learned that Chamroeun had been killed. She was very upset. Jonathan comforted her. He asked why she didn't cry. Sundara explained she had not been able to cry since leaving Cambodia.
Facing Challenges
As Sundara got used to American life, she learned Jonathan was popular at school. Jonathan had a girlfriend named Cathy Gates. Cathy felt that she was the only one who truly understood Jonathan. She said they had been together since ninth grade and had "something very special."
Sundara and Jonathan spent more time together. They ate lunch and he asked her to the movies. Sundara realized she was changing. Someone told her, "You know, you ought to watch you become American."
Sundara and her friend Moni had dinner. They talked about how in their home culture, marriages were often arranged. News about Sundara and Jonathan spread at school. Cathy found out about their friendship and was not happy. Cathy decided to talk to Sundara. Sundara felt unsure about facing Cathy.
Sundara found it hard to understand Jonathan's relationship with Cathy. Many things in America confused her, like girls showering together after gym class. Sundara clearly had feelings for Jonathan, but she could not show them easily.
One night, after a football game, her cousin Ravy told Sundara that Jonathan got hurt playing. Sundara worried and went to see him at the hospital. Jonathan told Sundara he did not like Cathy's constant attention. He wished she had not sent him balloons. He also told Sundara that he loved her.
Sundara could not stop thinking about Jonathan. She also heard that Jonathan was quitting the football team. This was because of what Sundara had told him about Cambodia. Cathy was upset and knew something was happening between Jonathan and Sundara. She realized Jonathan liked Sundara.
Things became more difficult when Jonathan's father went on a mission trip. This happened after Jonathan yelled at his dad for not helping others. Jonathan felt bad for yelling at his father. It became harder for Sundara and Jonathan to see each other.
One day, Sundara and Moni were collecting bottles. Sundara saw a broken doll. This reminded her of her aunt's baby who had died. Sundara became very upset and cried. Moni took her home. Sundara's Grandmother believed the baby's spirit had taken over Sundara. The women then prayed for Sundara to feel better.
Main Characters
- Sundara: A teenage girl from Cambodia. She starts a new life in America and learns to fit in. She meets new people and learns about American ways.
- Jonathan: Sundara's friend. He often teases and flirts with her. He is kind and gentle towards her. He tells Sundara that he loves her.
- Tep Naro: Sundara's uncle and Soka's husband. He cares for Sundara and is more open to new ideas than Soka.
- Mrs. Cathcart: Sundara's teacher. She reads a poem Sundara wrote to the class.
- Jonathan's Parents: They are very welcoming to Sundara. They are curious about her life in Cambodia.
- Cathy: Jonathan's girlfriend. She is popular and does not like Sundara or her friendship with Jonathan.
- Kem Soka: Naro's wife and Sundara's strict aunt. She holds onto Cambodian traditions very strongly. She seems to care more about who Sundara marries than Sundara's feelings.
- Ravy: Sundara's younger cousin. He loves American ways and is very involved in Sundara's life.
- Grandmother: Sundara's grandmother. She is very strict about Cambodian traditions and beliefs.
- Kelly: One of Sundara's close friends after she moves to America.
- Moni: A friend of Sundara who also came to America from Cambodia. She understands Cambodian customs and how Sundara feels.
- Chamroeun: A Cambodian boy who was expected to marry Sundara. Sundara loved him.
About the Author
Linda Crew did a lot of research about Cambodia before writing Children of the River. She wanted to make sure her book was accurate. She said, "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." This shows how much effort she put into telling Sundara's story correctly.
Awards
- American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
- Golden Kite Honor Book from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
- International Reading Association Children's Book Award
