Given A Chance

Read the incredible true story of Hong Net, who survived Cambodia's Killing Fields as a child and persisted amid unimaginable atrocities to design a successful and fulfilling life for himself and his family. Follows the remarkable journey of Hong Net, who at the time was a young boy attempting to escape Cambodia's Killing Fields. Net's story includes spans from his escape and the invasion of communist Vietnam in the 1970s to his historic election as the first Asian-American elected official in Lynn, Massachusetts in 2011. As a child, Net endured unspeakable horrors under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. His childhood was tarnished by labor camps, refugee camps, and relentless violence. Forced into grueling labor at the age of nine, he witnessed atrocities such as executions and other evil acts that continue to haunt him to this day. With unwavering resilience, Net held a fierce hope in his heart and soul to create a better world for himself and those he considered his neighbors. He defied the odds and sought refuge in America with nothing but a broken arm and a plastic bag of belongings. Given A Chance is a poignant narrative that shines a light on the darkest chapters of history. Net's story will inspire and motivate readers as they read page after page of the remarkable strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. High schoolers and above will resonate with the themes of perseverance, courage, and finding a way to carve a path for yourself. Fans of "Long Walk to Freedom," by Nelson Mandela and "Golden Bones," by Sichan Siv will add Given A Chance among their favorites.