When My Name Was Keoko

Linda Sue Park's book, WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO, explores a time in history that many of us might never have researched on our own. She tells a sensitive and intense story from two viewpoints, both in first person, of a brother and a sister. Ms. Park gives the, Korean, World-War-Two era a personal slant. This powerful story draws readers into the lives of its characters causing us to care deeply about the outcome. Ms. Park delicately and perhaps intuitively probes the individual characteristics of domination, courage and fortitude. The depth of understanding that her characters acquire becomes our own, and inadvertently reminds readers of the price and value of freedom.

I am a middle school Language Arts teacher from Florida where WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO is among the 15 books selected as Sunshine State Young Readers recommended books for the 2005-2006 school year. Having read all 15 books this summer, a few stood out as being worth a 5 star rating; WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO is one of those books and, in my humble opinion, the best of the all. Were I to be asked to teach character using a young adult (YA) novel, I would certainly choose this book from this list (which also includes the excellent YA titles: GRANNY TORELLI MAKES SOUP, SAHARA SPECIAL, THE UNSEEN and AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS -- I would also highly recommend the superb SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson). The beauty of this historical fiction is that it seems so real a story because it seems to treat its characters with such enormous respect and clarity of voice. I was particularly impressed as it told a story of a time in history that I am not familiar with (and yet I felt I should have been). Perhaps that revelation makes me more enraptured of the story within. I felt honored to be allowed to see such an intimate portrait of two characters who (by their society's standards) would be more naturally private in their thoughts. I cannot recommend this book more. [I will not reveal any more of the story than other commentators already have as I feel that the joy of the reading is in discovering what comes next.]

When I was younger, my mom told me her older sister was a girl during the time when Japan occupied Korea. I never gave it much thought until I read this book. My aunt also had to change her name and learn Japanese in school. As a Korean-American who was born and raised in the US, I can't even begin to imagine the hardships they had to endure. The story is simply written but may be a little difficult to follow for younger readers because of the flip-flop narration between the brother and sister. But it is a beautiful story. What I loved most was that while the story is from the point of view of 2 Korean children, the author did not villanize the Japanese. In a world that is consumed by hate, it is refreshing to read a story that is about family, friends, and hope, instead of hate and revenge. I love this book so much I have bought a copy for my school library.

This book was so amazing to me. It is unimaginable to lose your identity, culture, and even your own name. I like this novel because it had enough action in the plot to encourage me to continue reading, but still had enough factual information for me to learn some interesting Korean history. I have learned alot about the plight of the Koreans at this time in school, but it was so much better for me to see it through the eyes of Sun-hee, a young girl living amidst the fear and sadness of opression by the Japanese, who were occupying Korea at the time. Also, after learning about World War II Japanese kamikaze pilots, I had always wondered what could possibly drive them to do sacirifice their lives. Seeing the situation through the eyes of a boy who was actually a kamikaze pilot opened my eyes to what goes through their minds about honor and sacrifice. One of the best parts of this novel was the format that Linda Sue Park used. Alternating chapters told by Tae-yul and Sun-hee allowed me to see the story through the eyes of a young man and those of a small girl. They had totally different struggles and ways of viewing them, which was interesting and kept my attention. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages looking for an interesting and historical novel.

In 1940, by Japanese decree, Kim Sun-hee became known as Kaneyama Keoko. It was more than just the "Japanization" of her Korean name by changing the pronunciation. It was an attempt to wipe out her identity as a Korean, by forcing her to have a new Japanese name written with different kanji (Chinese characters). Linda Sue Park's When My Name Was Keoko tells the historical fiction tale of the Kim family from 1940 to 1945 during the final years of Korea's occupation by Japan. Told in the fist person and alternating between 10-year-old daughter, Sun-hee, and 13-year-old son, Tae-yul, the tale portrays the rigid roles family members play in traditional Korean culture based on sex and birth order. Park uses the Korean terms of address such as Hynungnim (older brother used by younger brother) and Opah (older brother used by younger sister) throughout the story to help readers feel the "rank, respect, and affection" in a Korean family. A major theme in When My Name Was Keoko is identity. What makes a person who they are? The characters delve into what makes them Korean. Like many imperial powers, the Japanese tried to wipe out the Korean culture without offering the people equality in return. In school, the children heard only of the perfect Emperor and superior Japan. The Japanese passed laws that repeatedly and cumulatively took away parts of the Korean people's identity. The Japanese controlled the education system and taught classes in that language. People were forbidden to speak Korean outside the home. The Japanese forced Koreans to register themselves with new Japanese names. The laws that the Japanese imposed on the Korean people and the taxes extracted grew steadily harsher. The Japanese even ordered the people to destroy all Rose of Sharon trees because it is a symbol of Korea; instead, they forced Koreans to plant cherry trees, a symbol of Japan. When My Name Was Keoko is a well-crafted book that should keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens to Sun-hee and Tae-yul. Letters and diary entries are also used effectively to add realism to the story, which deals with ordinary children living in a terrifying and difficult time. At the end of the war, Korea became an independent nation again and Sun-hee was no longer known as Keoko. While there are many stories for American young adults about World War II, few of them take place in Asia. Even less discuss the Japanese occupation of Korea or other Asian countries like China and Taiwan. The spirit of the Koreans was not broken and they are still a proud people today. Karen Woodworth Roman