Cambodia:
Little Sap and Monsieur Rodin by Michelle Lord
This is a story built around an actual account of artist Auguste Rodin meeting a troupe of young Cambodian dancers in France around the turn of the last century. The story focuses on Little Sap, a poor girl from a village in Cambodia who gets chosen to train and then become a part of the Royal Dance Troupe. Through long days and years of hard work, Little Sap transforms into a beautiful dancer, and when the troupe is performing in Paris, is one of the girls chosen by Rodin to be sketched. Historical notes are provided in the back of the book.
This is a story built around an actual account of artist Auguste Rodin meeting a troupe of young Cambodian dancers in France around the turn of the last century. The story focuses on Little Sap, a poor girl from a village in Cambodia who gets chosen to train and then become a part of the Royal Dance Troupe. Through long days and years of hard work, Little Sap transforms into a beautiful dancer, and when the troupe is performing in Paris, is one of the girls chosen by Rodin to be sketched. Historical notes are provided in the back of the book.
A Song for Cambodia by Michelle Lord
An inspiring true story about Arn Chorn-Pond, a boy who was forced into a children's work camp in Cambodia after his village and family were torn apart. He suffered greatly in the camp, but music became his life-saver when he was taught to play a traditional Cambodian instrument to entertain the guards. This same music became his solace and aided in his healing when he escaped the camp, fell ill, was rescued and then adopted by an American pastor, and as he struggled with transitioning to his new life. Arn eventually grew up to become a humanitarian, working to revive the arts in Cambodia. Extensive notes about Arn's life and work are provided at the end of the book. This is
a great book, but not for the very young due to the seriousness of the issues that Arn goes through.
An inspiring true story about Arn Chorn-Pond, a boy who was forced into a children's work camp in Cambodia after his village and family were torn apart. He suffered greatly in the camp, but music became his life-saver when he was taught to play a traditional Cambodian instrument to entertain the guards. This same music became his solace and aided in his healing when he escaped the camp, fell ill, was rescued and then adopted by an American pastor, and as he struggled with transitioning to his new life. Arn eventually grew up to become a humanitarian, working to revive the arts in Cambodia. Extensive notes about Arn's life and work are provided at the end of the book. This is
a great book, but not for the very young due to the seriousness of the issues that Arn goes through.
