I had planned to give this book to my niece after reading it, but I think I'll donate it to the local abuse shelter instead. I didn't enjoy reading it, because it was too upsetting. But it might be good for a child who has had an unhealthy family life to read about others in similarly difficult situations, so see that s/he is not alone, and that things can turn out okay.The messages about abuse and friendship were poignant, but I'm not sure what the author is trying to say about gambling - it's very bad, but you can drink/gamble all night and come out rich. The poker scene on the beach felt a bit like a lesson in how to play, and didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the story.It's sad that the Cambodian people depicted in this story do not consider themselves American, even after many years here. America is a land of people from all over, so it is possible to become completely American without forgetting/losing the heritage/culture of your homeland.