When My Name Was Keoko

When My Name Was Keoko

Multicultural

Author: Linda Sue Park

Publisher: Clarion Books

Copyright: 2002

"If a war lasts long enough, is it possible that people would completely forget the idea of beauty?"

This is a question asked by ten-year-old Sun-hee. She and her thirteen-year-old brother, Tae-yul, are growing up in Japanese occupied Korea during World War II. As Koreans, they experience many different types of oppression by their Japanese rulers. Among these are the requirement that Koreans take Japanese names (hence, the title of the book). The narrative alternates back and forth between the perspectives of Sun-hee and Tae-yul. It details what life was like in Korea during the war and highlights various aspects of both Korean and Japanese culture. Based on the experiences of the author's parents, this novel tells of the struggles faced by one family and by a nation in their struggle to survive. The themes of identity, loyalty and courage are central to the telling of this story.  

This novel could easily be used to teach multicultural themes, showcase the different cultures of Japan and Korea, and the struggle of identity. In history courses, this could be used to teach students about non-U.S. or European aspects of World War II, as well as the general ideas of occupation, assimilation, and resistance. With connections to current controversies, this novel also opens up many possibilities for discussions on how we view our past and how we want others to view our past. The Korean and Japanese perspectives on this time period are very different and can be used in teaching many important historical concepts.

Awards:

• Publishers Weekly - Best Books of the Year
• School Library Journal - Best Books of the Year

Related Links:  

• Book Profile on Goodreads.com - This social media site contains more reviews by readers and information on the author.
• Linda Sue Park - The author's official page.
• A Long Walk to Water - Another good YA book I've read by Park.  It's based on a true story about a girl and a boy in Sudan.
• In New Jersey, Memorial for 'Comfort Women' Deepens Old Animosity - This New York Times article from this past spring shows how the topic of WWII Korean "comfort women" is still a controversial topic.  While this topic is included in Park's book, it is addressed very indirectly.