When My Name was Keoko

When My Name Was Keoko. Linda Sue Park. New York: A Dell Yearling Book, 2002. 199 pages. $5.50 (Paperback). ISBN 0-440-41944-1. Grades 5-9.

Potential Reactions...

I was not sure how I would like When My Name was Keoko based on the back cover, but I must say I was won over by this book. I think young readers may be as hesitant I was to read this novel due to the aged, photograph on the cover, but I think once they jump in they won’t be able to put it down. I know I didn’t know a whole lot about World War II or the events leading up to it when I was a part of the target audience for this book, but I sure wish someone would have handed me this book so I could have. I think middle school students would be interested in this title because it teaches them about two other cultures, Korean and Japanese and words from each; it teaches them about a period of very significant and often un-discussed political turmoil, it talks about war, and it is told from a point of view they would understand. I think some readers would fail to give this book a chance just based on its topic, I think others may get caught up on the Korean/Japanese phrases, but I don’t think that those responses would be the norm. Instead I think readers would be shocked and engaged in the story as it unfolds before them.

Both genders have something to look forward to in this book. Sun-hee gives the girl’s point of view and experience during this time, while Tae-yul covers the boy’s angle. I don’t think either gender would be bored by the others since the two experiences are so very different. I think today’s modern boys and girls would be astonished by the conditions that these children were forced to face and thank their lucky stars that they were not in their shoes. I do think that some boys would find the airplanes and war training interesting and become interested in this time period and history and look for other similar books. In general I think this book lends itself to further exploration of the subject.

I think the mystery of knowing how and where the Uncle and Tae-yul are some of the most engaging parts of the book. They kept me hooked and I think the target audience will be on the edge of their seats wondering as well. I am certain that I would have loved history more if books like this one were incorporated in to our lessons, or that I would have been more interested in history had I read books like these first. I think readers would find a new interest in Korean and Japanese history and culture, as well as World War II or maybe America’s involvement in such issues after reading this book.