First They Killed My Father: A Daugher of Cambodia Remembers

Author: Loung Ung

First They Killed My Father is a poignant story told from the perspective of a child who is experiencing the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's. This is the true story of the daughter of a high-ranking government official in Phnom Penh in imminent danger because of her family's social status. The memoir is captivating and illustrates the dispersion of  Ung's family, the brutality that she had to endure, and the plight of many of the immigrants from Cambodia. Bolstered by the shocking bravery of one brother and sustained by her sister's gentle kindness amid the hell of civil war, Loung forged ahead to create a courageous new life. Harrowing yet hopeful, insightful and compelling, this story is truly unforgettable. The content is disturbing and violent, but it can be used in a high school classroom.

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

Year Released: 2000

Grades 10-12