Little Brother (Baillie novel) facts for kids

Little Brother is a children's novel from 1985 by Australian author Allan Baillie. It tells a powerful story about life in Cambodia during the time of the Khmer Rouge. The book was illustrated by Elizabeth Honey.

What's the Story About?

This book follows a young boy named Muong Vithy. He gets separated from his older brother, Mang, while they are trying to escape the dangerous rule of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The story helps readers understand the tough experiences of people who become refugees, using Vithy's journey as an example.

Vithy and his big brother, Mang, have been working for a year in a place called the Big Paddy. Their sister, Sorei, and their parents are gone. They decide to run away to escape the soldiers of the Khmer Rouge. They manage to get away for a short time. Mang gives Vithy some advice: "Follow the lines... to the border." Vithy is confused, wondering what lines and which border his brother means. Suddenly, as they run for their lives, they are separated. Vithy is left all alone in the forest. The soldiers leave him, likely chasing after Mang.

That night, Vithy searches for food. He then starts traveling towards Cambodia's border. As he walks beside the road, he sees soldiers, but these are not the Khmer Rouge.

Vithy's Journey Begins

Vithy soon finds himself on the edge of Phnom Penh, the capital city, which is now empty. There, he finds a small gold leaf. He also meets another boy, whose real name is Ang, but Vithy calls him "the King." Vithy stays in the King's City and helps him fix a motor. When they are working for their meals, the King hides Vithy in a truck. He gives Vithy the gold leaf and some water as payment for fixing the motor.

The truck travels very close to a famous place called Angkor. Vithy jumps off the truck and walks for a few hours. Then, he comes face to face with a young boy, who is older than him, riding a bicycle. Vithy offers the boy the gold leaf that the King gave him. The boy says it's not much, but he lets Vithy build a bicycle in his "graveyard of bicycles." Will Vithy manage to reach the border and find his older brother on this difficult journey?

Awards and Recognition

• The Children's Book Council of Australia - Children's Book of the Year Awards 1986 - Highly commended (meaning it was a runner-up)