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The Long Ride by Marina Budhos: A Journey of Hope and Resilience

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The Long Ride

by Marina Budhos

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2779 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	197 pages

The Long Ride By Marina Budhos Book Cover The Long Ride Marina Budhos

Marina Budhos's The Long Ride is a powerful and moving novel about a young Cambodian immigrant's journey to find her place in America. The novel follows Sopheap Pich, a 16-year-old girl who flees Cambodia with her family in the wake of the Khmer Rouge genocide. After years of living in a refugee camp in Thailand, Sopheap and her family are finally granted asylum in the United States.

Sopheap's journey to America is not an easy one. She struggles to learn English, adjust to a new culture, and make friends. She is also haunted by the memories of her past in Cambodia. Despite the challenges she faces, Sopheap is determined to make a better life for herself and her family. She works hard in school, gets a job, and eventually becomes a successful businesswoman.

The Long Ride is a story of hope and resilience. It is a story about the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Sopheap's journey is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that anything is possible if we never give up on our dreams.

Characters

Sopheap Pich: A 16-year-old Cambodian immigrant who flees her home country with her family in the wake of the Khmer Rouge genocide.
Ma: Sopheap's mother, a strong and resilient woman who is determined to give her children a better life.
Pa: Sopheap's father, a kind and gentle man who is haunted by the memories of his past in Cambodia.
Sreykeo: Sopheap's younger brother, a lively and curious boy who is eager to explore his new home.
Mr. Thompson: Sopheap's English teacher, a kind and patient man who helps her to adjust to her new life in America.
Mrs. Lee: Sopheap's boss at the nail salon, a demanding but fair woman who teaches her the importance of hard work.

Setting

The Long Ride is set in the United States, primarily in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts. The novel also includes flashbacks to Sopheap's life in Cambodia before and during the Khmer Rouge genocide.

Themes

The Long Ride explores a number of important themes, including:

The immigrant experience: Sopheap's journey to America is a reminder of the challenges and rewards of the immigrant experience. She struggles to learn English, adjust to a new culture, and make friends. However, she is also determined to make a better life for herself and her family, and she eventually succeeds.
The power of the human spirit: Sopheap's story is an inspiration to us all. It reminds us that the human spirit is capable of overcoming even the most difficult circumstances. Despite the challenges she faces, Sopheap never gives up on her dreams.
The importance of family: Family is essential to Sopheap's journey. Her mother, father, and brother are her source of strength and support. They help her to overcome the challenges she faces and to achieve her goals.

The Long Ride is a powerful and moving novel that will stay with you long after you finish it. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. Sopheap's journey is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that anything is possible if we never give up on our dreams.

I highly recommend The Long Ride to anyone who is interested in the immigrant experience, the power of the human spirit, or the importance of family.

The Long Ride

by Marina Budhos

5 out of 5