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“…a glimpse into the complicated lineage of war-torn areas.” –School Library Journal

Either the Beginning or the End of the World

Written by Terry Farish
Published by Carolrhoda Lab

For sixteen years, it’s been just Sofie and her father, living on the New Hampshire coast. Her Cambodian immigrant mother has floated in and out of her life, leaving Sofie with a fierce bitterness toward her and a longing she wishes she could outgrow. To me she is as unreliable as the wind. Then she meets Luke, an Army medic back from Afghanistan, and the pull between them is as strong as the current of the rushing Piscataqua River. But Luke is still plagued by the trauma of war, as if he’s lost with the ghosts in his past. Sofie’s dad orders her to stay away; it may be the first time she has ever disobeyed him. A ghost can’t love you. When Sofie is forced to stay with her mother and grandmother while her dad’s away, she is confronted with their memories of the ruthless Khmer Rouge, a war-torn countryside, and deeds of heartbreaking human devotion. I don’t want you for ancestors. I don’t want that story. As Sofie and Luke navigate a forbidden landscape, they discover they both have their secrets, their scars, their wars. Together, they are dangerous. Together, they’ll discover what extraordinary acts love can demand.

Primary ISBN: 9781467774833
Available As: Hardcover
Young Adult, Age 15 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States, Cambodia, Afghanistan

Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Refugee, 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Written with Cultural Advisors

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DOWNLOAD Discussion & Resource Guide
The guide includes:
— Themes
— Background: Khmer Rogue Regime
— Background: PTSD and the Cambodian Experience
— Discussion Questions
— Playlist
— Skype & Author Visit Info
— Resource: I’m Your Neighbor Books