Stone Goddess captivates a reader through the immense companionship of two sisters and a brother struggling to stay alive under the communist regime in Cambodia. The author uses intense detail to draw readers in and keep them hooked to the plot occurring in the story. By using family as a theme, the book was very relatable as it allowed the readers to understand that even when times get tough and you may think you have no where else to turn, your family will always be there for you. The layout of the book could have been a bit better as some parts it was hard to understand the transition between different conflicts. Overall, I really enjoyed how the whole book was a metaphor as the two daughters attempted to live their lives like Stone Goddesses or the dancers in Cambodian culture. This provided a sense of perseverance and strength which made it difficult to want to put the book down. ( )

I would use this book as an independent read for sixth to seventh graders because it is written in a style that is grade appropriate. With a middle school class, I would have them read a companion novel such as the Devils Arithmetic because they have similar themes of a tyrant ruler forcing families apart and making them work in labor camps. The students will read both of these books and compare and contrast the similarities and differences between each. Once that is completed, the students will expand their knowledge of the events that happened to Nakri and explain the cause and effect results from specific events stated in the story. These activities will open the students eyes to the terrible history of individuals being forced to participate in labor camps because of a horrible ruler. I also think that many students may be unaware of this historical event and I believe they should be aware of this mistreatment to prevent something of this nature from happening again. I would also use this book with a fifth grade class as a read aloud because the material may be to unpleasant for them to read on their own. For this class, I would have the students draw the journey that Nakri and her family go through during the entire book. This activity will help the students understand what area of the world this book is taking part in and how far they all had to travel. I would also have the students watch a video on Cambodian traditional dance because it is a central theme throughout the book. After watching the video a few times, I would try and have my students learn the dance and perform it for other classes and explain what was significant about this dance to the main character. ( )

Settlement in the U.S. is confusing and difficult for Nakri but she soon finds solace in learning to play the flute and reacquainting herself with the classical Cambodian dance her mother had taught her. Description of apsaras (dancing goddesses) and classic Cambodian dance make this different from similar Cambodian stories. I didn't find the sense of fear and tragedy fully realized.

Yr 7 - Yr 10
Nakri Sokha lives a nice, ordinary life in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, with her family. She lives with her father, a teacher, her mother, a homemaker, and her three siblings, Boran, Teeda and Yaan. She and her sister, Teeda, are part of a group that practices the art of Cambodian classical dance in a temple near the Mekong River, until her life changes in an instant.

When the Khmer Rouge take over the city of Phnom Penh, her family must take only what they can carry and travel to a village where their extended family lives. Just as the Sokha family begins to adjust to this new life away from their home, Hoon Sokha, Nakri's father, is taken from them. And before they can think things might get worse, the Angkar takes Boran, Teeda and Nakri to a worker camp. After four long years, the family is reunited and crosses the border of Cambodia into Thailand. They meet relief workers there who help them immigrate to America. Now, after all they have been through, they must adjust to American life and try to create a new home in this new land. ( )