Are you from a Korean background? Are you fascinated by World War II? I think I just might have the book for you.

The book that I'm talking about is called "When My Name Was Keoko" by Linda Sue Park.

It's a book about a Korean girl, Sun-hee. She lives with her brother, Tae-yul, her mother, father, and uncle. The story takes place in the 1940's in World War II when the Japanese took over Korea. Koreans are forced to take Japanese names. Sun-hee becomes Keoko and Tae-yul becomes Nobuo. Sun-hee's uncle is secretly working for the resistance for the freedom of Korea. He is forced to go into hiding. Sun-hee is plunged into a world of uncertainty and strife. And when Tae-yul goes to war to become a suicide bomber Sun-hee becomes an only child.

The story of "When My Name Was Keoko" has a beautiful setting. Linda Sue Park brings out the details in the story. It is probably one of the best books I have ever read in my life.

Fun Facts:
Here are a few Korean words:

Mother: Omoni (uh-MUH-nee)
Father: Abuji (UH-boo-jee)
Dear or Honey: Yobo (YUH-bo)
Older brother (used by a sister): Opah (O-pah)
Older brother (used by a brother): Hyungnim (hyung-NIM)

Over and Out,
Msof57