38 pages • 1 hour read
Never Fall Down
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
224
Novel • Fiction
Cambodia • 1970s
2012
Adult
14+ years
710L
Super Short Summary
Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick follows the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, an eleven-year-old Cambodian boy forcibly recruited as a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge. He endures brutal conditions, loses touch with his family, and navigates the horrors of war, eventually finding refuge in Thailand and a new life in the United States, while seeking healing and purpose as an activist. The book includes detailed depictions of violence, starvation, and loss.
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
Inspirational
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
13,205 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick receives praise for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. The protagonist's resilience amidst the Khmer Rouge regime captivates readers, though some critique the simplistic language. Despite this, the author's research and sensitivity in portraying harrowing events make it a commendable, if occasionally graphic, read.
Who Should Read Never Fall Down?
A reader who would enjoy Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick is likely interested in historical fiction and stories of survival. They may have appreciated First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung or Sold by Patricia McCormick. This reader appreciates narratives that tackle difficult subjects like war and human resilience with sensitivity and depth.
13,205 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
224
Novel • Fiction
Cambodia • 1970s
2012
Adult
14+ years
710L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.