believable." Publishers Weekly stated that "Baillie sensitively expresses the depth of Vithy's loneliness while exploring the boy's growing independence and gradual rebuilding of trust." and "Offering insight into the Vietnamese/Cambodian experience, this haunting tale confirms the universality of human instincts and emotions." Valerie Bierman, writing for Books for Keeps, believed it "a gem which deserves to become a classic, it(sic) only to demonstrate to children the futility and cruelty of war." Awards and nominations The Children's Book Council of Australia - Children's Book of the Year Awards 1986 - Highly commended (i.e. Runner up) References 1985 novels Australian children's novels Novels set in Cambodia 1985 children's books