This was a GREAT story. I would recommend this book to young adults. Many of the events the main character, Young Ju, goes through Young Ju reminds me of a young, very curious, and innocent child who finds the world fascinating. Although her family believes she has an imagination, she is asking questions out of curiosity and because that is what she thinks, such as Mi Gook being “Heaven.” I did not know that Mi Gook meant “America” until the end of the section called “Mi Gook.” I interpreted it as another city in Korea. Young Ju learns and satisfies her curiosity through modeling and support of older family members.
I love the short story form instead of the normal long chapters. What An Na had to say for each section of Young Ju’s preparation of moving to and living in America was detailed where I knew what was going on. I believe anyone can relate to Young Ju’s emotions when entering a new situation and atmosphere. As she discovers more of Mi Gook (America) and what her Uhmma makes her do in order to become a Mi Gook girl, I feel Young Ju’s unhappiness. A change in hairstyle, leaving her Halmoni behind because she was told Halmoni was too old and Mi Gook is only for young children makes Young Ju curious that America is not Heaven. I feel Young Ju is scared and sad of what is to come as she moves to America. To leave what you know and have grown with is difficult. Everything is new and Young Ju is unsure about it all.
What is fascinating is we get an inside look as to how a bilingual student who comes in knowing basically nothing, especially the language spoken, interacts with their peers. Young Ju experinces a language barrier when she begins school. Only certain parts of words she recognizes and understands, but she has to watch the other students to understand what is being said. Luckily, I could translate some which was fun to do! Some are below:
· “Ah ri cas, ca mo ve he” translates to “All right, class. Come over here.” (p.29)
· “Go-do-feesh” transates to “Goldfish” (P.32)
Later in the book, Young Ju faces a few challenges, such as her new baby brother Park Joon Ho, money and family concerns (Apa does not provide enough for the family and drinks), has to speak Korean at home, witnessing her brother being abused by their dad, and other similar challenges. Kids today have similar challenges and can relate to Young Ju. This story is realistic in the idea that kids see their friends or family getting abused, their family has crisis, and jealousy and attention issues when someone new is brought into the family.
I liked the chapters that were all about the daily adventures of Young Ju and Joon. It was a good break from the troubles and concerns Young Ju had. It made it seem as if her life was good at times in America and not everything was bad. But even though Young Ju’s family has moved to America, they do not like how Americans behave, especially girls Young Ju’s age because they are boy crazy and are not serious about their studies. This was interesting to me. I wonder if immigrant families felt/feel this way after moving here. What I did not expect was for Apa to become so upset by Young Ju’s behavior of “becoming too American” as the story explains. It is normal for a family to not want their child to forget their culture and where they come from, but I did not think that her dad would be so against her spending time with Amanda. From the beginning, Uhmma was saying how America is better for her children, but as the story goes on, Uhmma and Apa feel American ways are not good because they see Young Ju changing in her behavior. It was neat how, at first, Young Ju did not like America and what she had to do in order to be a good American when she was younger, but as she grew and was exposed to the American culture, she found herself wishing her family could show some of the American behaviors. She was no longer afraid and sad about being there.
I realized that Young Ju spends more time with Amanda and becomes more American because her family, more or so her Apa, has become abusive towards her Uhmma and herself, and Amanda’s family provides a safe and happier environment. Her family is kind towards Young Ju and makes Young Ju feel appreciated and important.
I liked how each chapter has Young Ju and her family getting older. I actually didn’t realize that was going on until a few chapters in. Also, each chapter would have a new name of either a family member or friend and I had no idea who it was until a description or clue was given later in the chapter or story.
And at the very end, I enjoyed how Uhmma shared pictures that were hidden all the past years with Young Ju and one of them was a picture of Apa, Young Ju, and Uhmma at the beach in Korea. It was the day Apa taught Young Ju how to be brave jumping into the waves which was the very first chapter of the story. That was so neat and a very personal connection for Young Ju.
I love the short story form instead of the normal long chapters. What An Na had to say for each section of Young Ju’s preparation of moving to and living in America was detailed where I knew what was going on. I believe anyone can relate to Young Ju’s emotions when entering a new situation and atmosphere. As she discovers more of Mi Gook (America) and what her Uhmma makes her do in order to become a Mi Gook girl, I feel Young Ju’s unhappiness. A change in hairstyle, leaving her Halmoni behind because she was told Halmoni was too old and Mi Gook is only for young children makes Young Ju curious that America is not Heaven. I feel Young Ju is scared and sad of what is to come as she moves to America. To leave what you know and have grown with is difficult. Everything is new and Young Ju is unsure about it all.
What is fascinating is we get an inside look as to how a bilingual student who comes in knowing basically nothing, especially the language spoken, interacts with their peers. Young Ju experinces a language barrier when she begins school. Only certain parts of words she recognizes and understands, but she has to watch the other students to understand what is being said. Luckily, I could translate some which was fun to do! Some are below:
· “Ah ri cas, ca mo ve he” translates to “All right, class. Come over here.” (p.29)
· “Go-do-feesh” transates to “Goldfish” (P.32)
Later in the book, Young Ju faces a few challenges, such as her new baby brother Park Joon Ho, money and family concerns (Apa does not provide enough for the family and drinks), has to speak Korean at home, witnessing her brother being abused by their dad, and other similar challenges. Kids today have similar challenges and can relate to Young Ju. This story is realistic in the idea that kids see their friends or family getting abused, their family has crisis, and jealousy and attention issues when someone new is brought into the family.
I liked the chapters that were all about the daily adventures of Young Ju and Joon. It was a good break from the troubles and concerns Young Ju had. It made it seem as if her life was good at times in America and not everything was bad. But even though Young Ju’s family has moved to America, they do not like how Americans behave, especially girls Young Ju’s age because they are boy crazy and are not serious about their studies. This was interesting to me. I wonder if immigrant families felt/feel this way after moving here. What I did not expect was for Apa to become so upset by Young Ju’s behavior of “becoming too American” as the story explains. It is normal for a family to not want their child to forget their culture and where they come from, but I did not think that her dad would be so against her spending time with Amanda. From the beginning, Uhmma was saying how America is better for her children, but as the story goes on, Uhmma and Apa feel American ways are not good because they see Young Ju changing in her behavior. It was neat how, at first, Young Ju did not like America and what she had to do in order to be a good American when she was younger, but as she grew and was exposed to the American culture, she found herself wishing her family could show some of the American behaviors. She was no longer afraid and sad about being there.
I realized that Young Ju spends more time with Amanda and becomes more American because her family, more or so her Apa, has become abusive towards her Uhmma and herself, and Amanda’s family provides a safe and happier environment. Her family is kind towards Young Ju and makes Young Ju feel appreciated and important.
I liked how each chapter has Young Ju and her family getting older. I actually didn’t realize that was going on until a few chapters in. Also, each chapter would have a new name of either a family member or friend and I had no idea who it was until a description or clue was given later in the chapter or story.
And at the very end, I enjoyed how Uhmma shared pictures that were hidden all the past years with Young Ju and one of them was a picture of Apa, Young Ju, and Uhmma at the beach in Korea. It was the day Apa taught Young Ju how to be brave jumping into the waves which was the very first chapter of the story. That was so neat and a very personal connection for Young Ju.
1 comment:
Yes, thanks for changing over to blogspot from Live Journal. And I so enjoy your language analysis of English through Korean ears, as written by Na. You also note the short chapters, that keep getting longer and longer as Young Ju grows older and more complex.
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