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Summary: Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Review: Amanda Vo
4/30/04Have you ever read one of those books that you know you're never going to forget and just wanna read over and over again? Well, Year if Impossible Goodbyes by Sookan Nyul Choi is one of those unique books. It's about this girl, who is ten years old. She has a brother named Inchun, who she loves very much, a mother, and an aunt. This book takes place during World War II, so it gives you a lot of history, as well as a story about a girl accomplishing her fears. One day, her mother decides that the time is right to run away, to be free. Along the way Sookan and Inchun lose their mother. They have to continue their journey on their own. This story is simply amazing. Sookan is one of my favorite characters, she has strong ambition and would sacrifice anything to help her little brother. Year of Impossible Goodbyes is still my favorite book after all this time. This definitely is a "must read" book. It will surely grasp your attention.
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Summary: Great history lesson
Review: Have you ever thought about freedom? What you ever thought about when your next meal would come? Have you ever thought about living under oppression? Living in today's world, there are many that live under fear and oppression. This is exactly what a ten-year old Korean girl Sookan is going through. She lived during the 1940's under Japanese military rule. What we take for granted today were rare commodities at the time.
I would highly recommend this book for the study of oppression and freedom in the time of war. This story although fiction really did happen in our history and is interesting to read. This story happened during World War II. However, because of what happened in the Western world, all the bad effects in Asia are almost ignored. We tend to study only our history, but there was more damage done to the rest of the world other than the Western and European countries.
One of the main universal concerns in this story is freedom. Although living in the U.S, everyone wants freedom. But what is truly freedom. Not wanting to clean our bedroom, is that freedom? Is wishing to speak your mind out loud a freedom? One of the most powerful quotes that rivet the heart is on page 164 when Sookan and her brother are trying to escape " It wasn't worth hiding anymore. It was now or never. We could see the fence..." Life and death was not a question when freedom was at hand. Many people go to great distance for freedom. This book is the best place to find it.
This book can tie into history and Language arts as the book touches all bases of humanity and survival. It is appropriate for sixth grade and up.
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Summary: Heart warming and sad.
Review: Hi am an eleven year old who has previewed other books for amazon but, I must say this book is one of the best I have ever read. This book may be aliitle bit too hard to understand if you are in any grade lower than third but other wise buy it. ,Why you ask, well because this book makes you want to read more and more. The end of the book is full of happiness yet there is some sadness to it too. I found out about this by one of my teachers and I am glad she had us read it. This novel is based on World War 2. It is about how North and South Korea were dived up. North Korea was run by the evil Russians while the South was ruled by the Americans. After you are finished reading this super novel be sure to pick up the "Part 2": Echo Of The White Giraffe. I haven't gotten to read the second one but, I will be sure to reserve my copy here at Amazon Books online
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Summary: "Best Book I've Ever Read"
Review: I am making this review short and sweet. The first two chapters were a bit hard to follow, but after that I couldn't stop reading it. The book kept me so interested I couldn't stop turning the pages. I wouldn't recommend this book for kids who fully do not understand WWII or get scared easily. This book taught me to be a stronger person and appreciate family values. This is a great book for those who enjoy reading historical fiction. Best Book! ENJOY! ;-)
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Summary: An exciting and moving book...great for all.
Review: I first read this book in the middle of fifth grade (I am going into sixth right now). From the very beginning, I knew I'd love it. It was about a Korean girl living toward the end of World War 2. Then when the war finally ends and the Koreans are free from the Japanese, Korea is divided by the 38th parallel. Sookan and her family are living in Russian Communist controlled North Korea and they have to get to American controlled South Korea. Will they make it? This book is very exciting yet very moving also. I think it is good for both young and old. I have re-read the book twice, and all times I thouroughly enjoyed it and each time I got more out of it. This book is great. -Helge Schultz
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Summary: Excellent reading
Review: I had to read this book for a college Children's Literature class and loved it! My father served in the Korean war but I never knew much about all that happened during this tumultuous time. Sook Nyul Choi does a superb job of transferring the reader back to Pyongyang, North Korea. You feel like you are there watching the chaos hit, as if it was your own family. It is one of the best books that I have ever read and makes me want to read more about Korea and it's people. I would recommend this book to children and adults. Teachers this is a must and a great way to teach Korean War history. The student's will always remember this book!
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Summary: Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Review: I had to read this in my novel class. It didnt' look that interesting, but i had to read it. It actually was a great book and it was really hooking. It's about a girl who lives with her grandfather and mother and the time when the Japenese are invading Korea. It is in the midst of a war. When the war dies down the Russians come in. They try to escape. It is such a sad book, with so many people dying. However, i loved this book so much, so i suggest you read it too.
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Summary: A book with substance
Review: I picked up my daughter's copy of this book one evening and did not put it down until I had finished it (after my bedtime). The writing is similar to a Chinese painting: restrained, elegant and beautiful. There are lots of elements for thoughtful discussion: growth and courage of characters; coping with adversity; freedom of expression vs. propaganda; love, loyalty and the bond of family ties. This book makes so many other books written for this age pale by comparison. Teachers, if you are looking for a worthwhile book for your class, this is it!
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Summary: I really really really love this book!
Review: I read this wonderful book a long long time ago, but am still deeply movied by it. I really want to read this book again, but I could never for the life of me remember wh owrite it! Now I will definetly go look for tihs book in the library.
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Summary: How I liked "The Year Of Impossible Goodbyes"
Review: I really liked TYOIG because it really moved me. It really did Move Me.
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