About the book
\"This powerful and riveting tale of one close-knit, proud Korean family movingly addresses life-and-death issues of courage and collaboration, injustice, and death-defying determination in the face of totalitarian oppression.\" (Kirkus starred review)
Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them—even their names—are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden.
When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the greatest shock of all comes when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war.
This moving historical novel is from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, whose beloved middle grade books include A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water.
Told from the alternating perspectives of brother and sister, their story is one of impossible choices.
- Brother and Sister Story: Experience the war through the eyes of both Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, as their close bond is tested by secrets and impossible loyalties.
- Coming of Age in Wartime: From learning to hide their Korean language to being forced to take new Japanese names, Sun-hee and Tae-yul must navigate the loss of their identities and find courage they never knew they had.
- The Japanese Occupation of Korea: A meticulously researched portrayal of life under oppressive rule, where flying the Korean flag is a crime and a patriotic uncle’s work with the resistance puts the entire family in danger.
- A Heartbreaking Sacrifice: When his uncle’s life is threatened, Tae-yul makes an unthinkable choice: enlisting in the enemy’s army, a decision that will change their family forever.
Editions of When My Name Was Keoko
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780547722399
- EBook
- ISBN 9780547394091
Read an Excerpt
\"This powerful and riveting tale of one close-knit, proud Korean family movingly addresses life-and-death issues of courage and collaboration, injustice, and death-defying determination in the face of totalitarian oppression.\" (Kirkus starred review)
Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them—even their names—are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden.
When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the greatest shock of all comes when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war.
This moving historical novel is from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, whose beloved middle grade books include A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water.
Told from the alternating perspectives of brother and sister, their story is one of impossible choices.
- Brother and Sister Story: Experience the war through the eyes of both Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, as their close bond is tested by secrets and impossible loyalties.
- Coming of Age in Wartime: From learning to hide their Korean language to being forced to take new Japanese names, Sun-hee and Tae-yul must navigate the loss of their identities and find courage they never knew they had.
- The Japanese Occupation of Korea: A meticulously researched portrayal of life under oppressive rule, where flying the Korean flag is a crime and a patriotic uncle’s work with the resistance puts the entire family in danger.
- A Heartbreaking Sacrifice: When his uncle’s life is threatened, Tae-yul makes an unthinkable choice: enlisting in the enemy’s army, a decision that will change their family forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is When My Name Was Keoko about?
\"This powerful and riveting tale of one close-knit, proud Korean family movingly addresses life-and-death issues of courage and collaboration, injustice, and death-defying determination in the face of totalitarian oppression.\" (Kirkus starred review)
Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them—even their names—are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden.
When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the greatest shock of all comes when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war.
This moving historical novel is from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, whose beloved middle grade books include A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water.
Told from the alternating perspectives of brother and sister, their story is one of impossible choices.
- Brother and Sister Story: Experience the war through the eyes of both Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, as their close bond is tested by secrets and impossible loyalties.
- Coming of Age in Wartime: From learning to hide their Korean language to being forced to take new Japanese names, Sun-hee and Tae-yul must navigate the loss of their identities and find courage they never knew they had.
- The Japanese Occupation of Korea: A meticulously researched portrayal of life under oppressive rule, where flying the Korean flag is a crime and a patriotic uncle’s work with the resistance puts the entire family in danger.
- A Heartbreaking Sacrifice: When his uncle’s life is threatened, Tae-yul makes an unthinkable choice: enlisting in the enemy’s army, a decision that will change their family forever.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in When My Name Was Keoko?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage: General interest > Children’s / Teenage general interest: Art and artists
Where can I read a sample of When My Name Was Keoko?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780547722399
Who is/are the Author/s of the book When My Name Was Keoko?
Linda Sue Park
Who is the Publisher of the book When My Name Was Keoko?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
When My Name Was Keoko is available as paperback(ISBN 9780547722399) and ebook(ISBN 9780547394091)
Where can I buy When My Name Was Keoko online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy When My Name Was Keoko from below
Where can I buy When My Name Was Keoko?