Korea and Korean-Americans...

Seesaw Girl
Linda Sue Park

In 17th century Korea, Jade Blossom is 12 years old. Bound by tradition, she, like the rest of the women, are not allowed to leave the home. Like any girl of today, she has a sense of humor and wants to know what is out in the world.

From Kirkus Reviews: "In 17th-century Korea, the life of a noblewoman is extremely circumscribed: she leaves the inner court of her family home only to marry, or to attend a funeral. Jade, 12, is deeply attached to her older cousin Willow, and keenly feels the loss when Willow is married. She pesters her older brother Tiger Heart, however, to tell her tales of the market, the king's court, and the strange prisoners with red and gold hair; she longs to see the mountains she can barely glimpse above the family compound wall. The seesaw of the title, a Korean game, forms the climax of this quiet book and the key to Jade's seeing beyond her tightly enclosed world. The writing gracefully describes the extended structure of the family, the differences in how boys and girls of noble birth were educated, and the elaborate wedding ceremony. Park's afterword tells of a Dutch ship that ran aground in Korea near the time of the story, and what happened to the prisoners Jade's father defended. The evocative descriptions and Jade's intensity in creating new ways to learn will capture and hold readers."

To read more about Seesaw Girl and view the author website, go to:
Seesaw Girl Link

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When My Name Was Keoko
Linda Sue Park

Another book by Linda Sue Park is When My Name Was Keoko, which takes place during World War II in Korea. This book shows the control Japan had over Korea during this period through the voices of Sun-hee and her brother, Tae-yul. Even their Korean names must be changed to Japanese names, thus in public they become Keoko and Nobuo. But do the children really give up their Korean heritage?

To read more about this book, go to:
When My Name Was Keoko Link

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Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Sook Nyul Choi

Another story taking place in Korea during World War II, when Korea is under Japanese control, this book is based on ten year old, Sookan's experiences. With the end of the war, Sookan hopes life will return to normal. But that is not to be. Living in what becomes North Korea, the family realizes that escape to South Korea is their only hope for a happy future.

From School Library Journal: "Ten-year-old Sookan tells of her Korean family's experiences during the Japanese occupation as World War II ends. The Japanese commit cruel, fear-provoking acts against this proud, hopeful family and against the young girls who worked in a sweatshop making socks for the Japanese army. Relief, hope, and anticipation of the return of male family members after the Japanese defeat is short lived as the Russians occupy the country, bringing their language, their customs, and communism to the village. Equally as insensitive to the pride and possessions of the Koreans, they are as bad as the Japanese. Plans are made for Sookan, her mother, and younger brother to escape to South Korea. However, their guide betrays them, causing the children to be separated from their mother, and the two begin a daring and frightening journey to cross the 38th parallel to safety. Through Sookan, the author shares an incredible story of the love and determination of her family, the threatening circumstances that they endured during occupations by two totalitarian governments, and the risks they took to escape to freedom. Readers will get a double bonus from this book--a good story, well told, and the reaffirmation of our faith in the human spirit against incredible adversities."

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Korean-Americans...


Project Mulberry
Linda Sue Park

A favorite book in my home, Project Mulberry is the story of Julia Song, a seventh grader in the midwest. She, along with her friend Patrick work as a team to come up with a winning state fair science project. This is a humorous, contemporary story about embracing your heritage and growing up in America.

Here are some quotes from reviews:

From ALA Booklist, starred review: "Compelling characters and their passionate differences...drive the plot...unforgettable family and friendship story...a great cross-curriculum title."

From Kirkus, starred review: "A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect and a good deal of humor."

From Publishers Weekly: "Park creates a Korean-American seventh-grader so lifelike she jumps off the page....introduces many issues relevant to budding adolescents."

To read more about Project Mulberry, go to:
Project Mulberry Link

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