Sundara flees from Cambodia with her aunt, Soka, her grandma, and her uncle, Naro, to escape from the Khmer Rouge.

To Sundara's dismay, a teacher, Mrs. Cathcart, reads her poem assignment aloud to the class.

Soka has trouble accepting Sundara's crush and makes her promise that she will not talk to Jonathan anymore.

As Sundara starts to adapt to American ways, she learns that her new friend Jonathan is popular at school.

Everything changes when Jonathan's father goes on a mission trip to Cambodia, due to his son's annoyance that they don't do more to help.

When Moni, her friend from Cambodia, takes a trip with her to collect bottles, Sundara notices a broken doll.

After her grandmother claims the baby girl's spirit has taken over Sundara, the women all pray for a release on her.

Linda Crew researched Cambodia before writing the book to include more accurate information about the culture: "I knew nothing about the history and culture of Cambodia, so I spent a year in research before I ever started writing the first rough draft of the book.

"[5] Children of the River has been praised for its ability to help young readers understand international affairs.

One reviewer remarked that "this novel has helped young adults understand the experience of Cambodian refugees settling in the United States after the Vietnam conflict.

"[6] Another theme that is portrayed throughout the novel is the "basic goodness of humankind which triumphs in some way even under the most inhumane circumstances."