Little Brother

The effects of war are conveyed vividly in this provocative narrative tracing a Cambodian orphan's journey to the Thailand border. Having escaped from a work camp run by the Khmer Rouge, Vithy follows his older brother Mang into the jungle. During a chase by soldiers, Mang suddenly disappears, and Vithy must quickly learn to fend for himself. At first he is terrified to come out of hiding, but hunger and the determination to rejoin his brother force him to continue moving west. Baillie sensitively expresses the depth of Vithy's loneliness while exploring the boy's growing independence and gradual rebuilding of trust. Episodes involving Vithy's encounters with other refugees and a kindly Australian doctor prove both moving and enlightening. Offering insight into the Vietnamese/Cambodian experience, this haunting tale confirms the universality of human instincts and emotions. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)