Helpful Score: 3
Oh's appropriately girlish voice and measured reading bring to life Young Ju, quiet heroine of debut novelist Na's dark tale of a family of Korean immigrants, which just won the ALA's Printz Award for teenage literature. At age four, Young Ju is not happy to be leaving her Korean home and loving Halmoni (grandmother) to move with her parents to Mi Gook (America), believed to be the land of great promise. Through Young Ju's experiences, listeners hear the family unravel as difficulties mount for them in the States. Young Ju's parents struggle with several low-paying jobs, handicapped by their language barrier. Young Ju's alcoholic and bitter father abuses his wife and children and forbids Young Ju to socialize with American friends. And when her father crosses a frightening line in his cruelty, Young Ju bravely takes action that sets her mother, younger brother and herself on the path to yet another new life in America. Oh's characterization, which realistically captures this powerful contemporary story and gives authentic crispness to Korean words and phrases, will keep you in its grip.
Compelling story of a Korean family's struggles to become American, yet stay Korean. It would have been a very sad book if the characters hadn't overcome their adversity.
This is a great book. It really makes you feel fortunate for the life you have.
A pretty good multicultural read. Recommended for young girls.
national book award winner story of young Korean girl and her family and who emigrate to southern California -very sensitve and poignant story for young adolescent readers
Wonderful story of a Korean child who comes to America.
