When My Name Was Keoko

Rating:
Summary: Even better than A Single Shard!
Review: After I had read the Newbery winner award book, A Single Shard, I just had to read another book by Linda Sue Park! When I went to the library I picked up this book and from the first page to the last, I enjoyed every moment of it! I hadn't known much about the Korean and Japanese war, and this book truly informed me. It taught me more about the Korean culture and also gave me a new favorite author!

Rating:
Summary: When My Name Was Keoko
Review: I picked this book up because my friend seemed to really enjoy it and after reading it I would have to say I agree.
The constantly changing tone, and point of view made the book very interesting. Each chapter flip flopped between a story being told by Sun-hee, a young Korean girl, and her older brother, Tae-yul. Before and during the time of the Japanese occupation in Korea. The story was so interesting. Sun-hee was younger and you could see her interest in the Japanese culture. Being the youngest there was a vast difference in the way she saw the Japanese culture. She thought that the cherry Japanese trees were prettier than the Korean trees, and that kanji was fun to learn. Her family on the other hand was always angry about the Japanese stripping them of their Korean culture, her uncle especially.
The mixture of the book was good because it wasn't all about the war although you get a brief gimps of it through Tae-yul's experience as a kamikaze pilot. But the war was not over done, you were still able to pick up a lot about the culture.
The best theme to follow was country pride, and how the different people reacted to it. Abuji, the father, reacts in a very protective way over his family, and really wishes that they don't get involved. The uncle joins the Korean resistance risking his own life, family pride, and safety. Tae-yul, joins the Japanese kamikaze pilots to see to their defeat, and to get the Koreans their culture back.
The most interesting plot point to follow was the all the different hoops the Japanese had the Koreans jump through. Such as changing their names, burning all flags, and Korean trees, taking away their language, and forcing Japanese on them.
I am not a huge reader, in fact I really do not enjoy reading. This book, however, was excellent,fun and entertaining read. It is one of the few books that had me wanting to pick it back up instead putting it down and giving up.

Rating:
Summary: When My Name Was Keoko
Review: I picked this book up because my friend seemed to really enjoy it and after reading it I would have to say I agree.
The constantly changing tone, and point of view made the book very interesting. Each chapter flip flopped between a story being told by Sun-hee, a young Korean girl, and her older brother, Tae-yul. Before and during the time of the Japanese occupation in Korea. The story was so interesting. Sun-hee was younger and you could see her interest in the Japanese culture. Being the youngest there was a vast difference in the way she saw the Japanese culture. She thought that the cherry Japanese trees were prettier than the Korean trees, and that kanji was fun to learn. Her family on the other hand was always angry about the Japanese stripping them of their Korean culture, her uncle especially.
The mixture of the book was good because it wasn't all about the war although you get a brief gimps of it through Tae-yul's experience as a kamikaze pilot. But the war was not over done, you were still able to pick up a lot about the culture.
The best theme to follow was country pride, and how the different people reacted to it. Abuji, the father, reacts in a very protective way over his family, and really wishes that they don't get involved. The uncle joins the Korean resistance risking his own life, family pride, and safety. Tae-yul, joins the Japanese kamikaze pilots to see to their defeat, and to get the Koreans their culture back.
The most interesting plot point to follow was the all the different hoops the Japanese had the Koreans jump through. Such as changing their names, burning all flags, and Korean trees, taking away their language, and forcing Japanese on them.
I am not a huge reader, in fact I really do not enjoy reading. This book, however, was excellent,fun and entertaining read. It is one of the few books that had me wanting to pick it back up instead putting it down and giving up.

Rating:
Summary: Flew by so fast, I wished it was longer...
Review: I read this book in one night. It was so easy to get into and the two characters that told the story, Tae-yul and Sun-hee, were very easy to move back and forth with. I liked how the author included the dates as well. Anyways, this book focuses on a brother and sister living in Korea during WWII, when it is under Japan's occupation. Seeing what the Japanese made the Koreans do, as well as seeing the wonderfully developed characters grow and change made this book so interesting. I only wish that the end wrapped up a few loose ends.

Rating:
Summary: Well-written, engaging, and accessible for young readers
Review: I read this book with my daughter's book club (4th graders) and I think I enjoyed it even more than the kids did. Because it was written for young adults, the writing style is simple and accessible, but the story and, in particular, the history that is set forth in this book is certainly worth reading. Americans don't learn enough about other culture. This is a great opportunity to learn about WWII through the perspective of a young Korean girl, living in Japanese-occupied Korea. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Another terrific Park novel!
Review: In "When My Name Was Keoko" Linda Sue Park introduces her readers to a painful part Korean history. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, the book deals with the struggles of the Korean people to maintain their identity and cultural heritage while the Japanese were fighting to erase all that was uniquely Korean. The story centers on the relationship between sister and brother pair- Sun-hee and Tae-yul- and their contrasting approaches to dealing with the incredible hardships of the occupation. It includes many themes worth mentioning- strength, cultural pride, sacrifice, perseverance, family ties, respect, etc.

As a library media specialist (in training), I highly recommend this book for upper elementary grade to young adult readers. It has a thought-provoking way of presenting values and lessons without coming across as preachy. The book also exposes young readers to an often undermined historical event and to a cultural group with which very few Americans are familiar.

Rating:
Summary: Another terrific Park novel!
Review: In "When My Name Was Keoko" Linda Sue Park introduces her readers to a painful part Korean history. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, the book deals with the struggles of the Korean people to maintain their identity and cultural heritage while the Japanese were fighting to erase all that was uniquely Korean. The story centers on the relationship between sister and brother pair- Sun-hee and Tae-yul- and their contrasting approaches to dealing with the incredible hardships of the occupation. It includes many themes worth mentioning- strength, cultural pride, sacrifice, perseverance, family ties, respect, etc.

As a library media specialist (in training), I highly recommend this book for upper elementary grade to young adult readers. It has a thought-provoking way of presenting values and lessons without coming across as preachy. The book also exposes young readers to an often undermined historical event and to a cultural group with which very few Americans are familiar.

Rating:
Summary: A well-crafted page turner
Review: In 1940, by Japanese decree, Kim Sun-hee became known as Kaneyama Keoko. It was more than just the "Japanization" of her Korean name by changing the pronunciation. It was an attempt to wipe out her identity as a Korean, by forcing her to have a new Japanese name written with different kanji (Chinese characters).

Linda Sue Park's When My Name Was Keoko tells the historical fiction tale of the Kim family from 1940 to 1945 during the final years of Korea's occupation by Japan. Told in the fist person and alternating between 10-year-old daughter, Sun-hee, and 13-year-old son, Tae-yul, the tale portrays the rigid roles family members play in traditional Korean culture based on sex and birth order. Park uses the Korean terms of address such as Hynungnim (older brother used by younger brother) and Opah (older brother used by younger sister) throughout the story to help readers feel the "rank, respect, and affection" in a Korean family.

A major theme in When My Name Was Keoko is identity. What makes a person who they are? The characters delve into what makes them Korean. Like many imperial powers, the Japanese tried to wipe out the Korean culture without offering the people equality in return. In school, the children heard only of the perfect Emperor and superior Japan. The Japanese passed laws that repeatedly and cumulatively took away parts of the Korean people's identity. The Japanese controlled the education system and taught classes in that language. People were forbidden to speak Korean outside the home. The Japanese forced Koreans to register themselves with new Japanese names. The laws that the Japanese imposed on the Korean people and the taxes extracted grew steadily harsher. The Japanese even ordered the people to destroy all Rose of Sharon trees because it is a symbol of Korea; instead, they forced Koreans to plant cherry trees, a symbol of Japan.

When My Name Was Keoko is a well-crafted book that should keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens to Sun-hee and Tae-yul. Letters and diary entries are also used effectively to add realism to the story, which deals with ordinary children living in a terrifying and difficult time. At the end of the war, Korea became an independent nation again and Sun-hee was no longer known as Keoko. While there are many stories for American young adults about World War II, few of them take place in Asia. Even less discuss the Japanese occupation of Korea or other Asian countries like China and Taiwan. The spirit of the Koreans was not broken and they are still a proud people today.

Rating:
Summary: The Box on the Doorstep May not Always Be for Real
Review: It all began in 1940 in the Country of Korea...or you could also call it at the time...the Country of Non-Independence, your call. The statement aboves shows you clearly that life wasnt just a bed full of flowers, life was tough at this time for the Korean Civilization. Throughout the story which takes place in the time of WWII, every Korean family was forced to give up things they truly needed without any choice at all. The book is full of many themes that will show you love, compassion, pride, and to be proud of your culture and who you are.
Tae-yul, thirteen and Sun-hee,ten,brother and sister in a Korean family) are living in an era which contains WWII. Being Korean means that they are treated with as little dignity as possible and as well as all other Korean citizens, they must change everything to Japanese. Meaning their culture, names, language etc.. Their Father is the Vice Principal at the school they attend, their mother stays at home, and their uncle works at the printing shop. The thing about there uncle is that he is secretly in a resistance force against the Japenese. One day Tomo(one of Sun-hee's Japanese friends) is trying to send a hidden message to Sun-hee about a raid that would be happening very soon. Sun- hee gets the wrong message and explains to uncle he must leave immediatley that they are after him.Well they weren't, but could they be now? Tae-yul has always wanted to be a pilot, well he takes a step that allows him to do that, but its for the wrong side. A box is placed on his doorstep months after his step. Get the message? Or is it hidden? What am I trying to say? Dont get the wrong message it could change your life completely.
Sometimes in life you have to sacrifice something you really value, that may even be your own life, but whatever it is, you must take pride in who you are. You cant be ashamed of your culture, and you must stand up for what you belive in. If everyone is against you...if you feel like you have nobody to turn to for them to agree...then always look forward, think hard, and fufill what you want to do, and fufill your dreams and your hopes. And never let majority rule your opinion. Hang in there like the characters in the book, and you wil be freed.
I recommend this book to teenagers and adult readers of different nationalities, or who enjoy reading about hardships and making sacrifices. The book can affect many different audiences which means that many lessons can be learned by taking just one day out of your busy schedule, you'd be suprised of what you may learn.Once you begin reading you won't want to stop.

Rating:
Summary: An important story that needs to be told.
Review: Korea is under Japanese colonial rule during WWII and this story is told from the perspective of a teenage brother and sister. Park reveals a difficult time and place in history that doesn't get much exposure in the West. The title refers to Koreans not being able to speak their native tongue, or even use their given names (Sun-hee goes by Keoko and her brother Tae-yul is renamed Nabuo), such was the thoroughness of Japanese rule. This is a life with few rights as the Japanese hold all the top positions, regularly search houses, take all the natural resources and try to remove all traces of a separate, Korean, culture. However, as Sun-hee's father (Abuji) says of their tormentors, "they burn the paper, not the words"; the oppressors prove to be unsuccessful as the Korean people seek out every opportunity to rebel and preserve their heritage. The familial relationships, so important to Confucian society, are adeptly handled as we see how brother and sister relate to each other and their parents. Sun-hee may be the youngest, and a girl, but she still has ways of finding out what is happening and letting her feelings be known as the entire family struggles to stay safe and resist Japanese authority simultaneously. Park accurately pens the brutalities of the occupation without going into to details that would be upsetting for younger readers.