The School Library Journal praises this "poignant portrait of life as a child in Cambodia in the 1970s. His skills, cunning, and sheer will to survive enabled him to endure devastating occurrences and difficult living conditions..... a compelling story."

Named a Junior Library Guild selection and a Notable Book by the National Council of Social Studies

Selected for the California Collection

“I was a kid myself during those days and had no idea what was going on in the world. This is an amazing story that had to be told.”

Cynthia Harden, Chicago, Illinois

“Alive in the Killing Fields is a horror story about war and a love story about family.”

Loung Ung, author of LUCKY CHILD

“It’s an incredible journey of survival that is unimaginable, yet the story is true.”

Dara Duong, Cambodian Cultural Museum, Seattle, Washington

Nawuth is on the front left posed with other children at the first Thai refugee camp he stayed in. Nawuth had found the hat he is wearing, but at the time, could not read the writing on it — U.S.A. He had no idea that one day he would become an American.

This powerful title from National Geographic tells the tragic yet inspiring story of Nawuth Keat, a child in war-torn Cambodia. He lost most of his family, but his cleverness, courage, and love of life helped him to endure.

Martha Kendall met Nawuth when he enrolled in her World Literature class at San Jose City College. In his rough English, he described the ordeals of his childhood. Martha offered to write his story down for him - and now here it is.