Half Spoon of Rice

Author(s) Icy Smith
Illustrator(s) Sopaul Nhem
Age Group 10-12
Publisher East West Discovery Press
ISBN 978-0982167588
Year 2010

Nine-year-old Nat is forced out of his Cambodian home and marched into the countryside when the Khmer Rouge comes into power. Nat is separated from his family and endures forced labor in rice fields from dawn to midnight with little food. Over the next four years, Nat confronts starvation, fear and brutality. With the help of his friend Malis, Nat finds hope and the strength to escape, eventually reuniting with the family he loves.