Korean Historical Fiction for children: Author Linda Sue Park

4 months ago, I started knitting a throw blanket.  It is completed and now fits a Queen size bed.  I kept adding. Staying at home more has given me a chance to watch several TV series set in different countries – all subtitled – particularly Korean historical dramas and contemporary shows.  Of course, this has prompted me to find children’s books set in Korea, both historical and modern.

I now have several favorites by Linda Sue Park that I have read and am sharing with children.  They include several chapter books (8-12 year-olds):

When My Name Was Keoko (Japan and WWII)

See Saw Girl (1600s and a curious girl named Jade)

Kite Fighters (1400s setting), Archer’s Quest (a man with a bow and arrow appears in front of

12 year-old Kevin Kim; this story reminds me of Indian in the Cupboard)

A Single Shard (some history of Koryo Celadon making). 

Park has many more titles with different themes and settings, e.g. 2 Sudanese books A Long Walk to Water for ages 10-12 and its companion book Nya’s Long Walk for 4-7 year-olds (illustrations by Brian Pinkney). Her newest book The One Thing You Would Save (ages 8-12) I think will become an important discussion book in classrooms.

A favorite Park book for me is The Firekeeper’s Son (4-7 year-olds) set in the 1800s in Korea.  Mountain top signal fires relayed each day told the King that all was well – 8 bonfires for his 8 provinces described as the humps of a dragon.  If the king did not see the nearest bonfires it meant there was trouble, and he would need to send out his Army.  Park has not found any records of when these fires were first used, but they were only discontinued in the 1800s.  Sang-hee’s father was responsible for Fire #1 since they lived by the coast.  This story is a perfect read aloud eliciting thoughtful discussions with young children:  history, geography, military, art, family loyalty, bravery, honor, respect.  All good topics.

I am a fan of Linda Sue Park’s brilliant writing.  Now I’m knitting another blanket while watching Chinese and Spanish subtitled shows.