When My Name Was Keoko
Book - 2002
With national pride and occasional fear, a brother and sister face the increasingly oppressive occupation of Korea by Japan during World War II, which threatens to suppress Korean culture entirely.
Publisher:
New York : Sandpiper/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, c2002.
ISBN:
9780547722399
Characteristics:
199 pages :,20 cm.



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blue_sheep_49
Oct 26, 2014
blue_sheep_49 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 10 and 12

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Add a CommentThis book provided me with a missing dimension to my knowledge of Korea during WWII. I am guilty of not being aware of the plight of the Korean people: their own language being illegal outside their homes, forced to take Japanese names, and living in fear of their 'masters'. Of historical note is the fact that the Japanese took 100,000 to 200,000 girls from conquered countries to serve as "Comfort Women" for the Imperial soldiers. Fortunately, the Americans did not bomb the Koreans.
Sun-Hee and her brother Tae-Yul experience the hardships, together with their Mother and Father for the duration. It is a masterful portrayal of life in Korea for its citizens. Well worth reading.
I first read this book approximately 18 years and finally came back round to read it again now. I started reading the book yesterday and finished it today, Friday the 16th of October 2020. The book moves along at a fast pace, set in Korea during World War II it starts with the Japanese forcing the Koreans to take and use Japanese names and language in everyday life. The book takes us on a journey through World War II times from the eyes of two siblings, a brother-sister pair. I appreciate the author’s, Linda Sue Park’s, dedication to accurately portraying Korean culture and language in the book. I highly recommend this book. Especially if whenever someone mentions World War II all you can think of is the holocaust. There was oppression to people far beyond just the holocaust in Europe. This book is one such broader perspective.
When My Name Was Keoko is a realistic fiction book about a Korean family living in the WWII period while being forced to abandon their culture. The Japanese empire took over, and all Koreans were demanded to change their name as well as language. The plot focuses on a family with young children, and their experience while being held accountable by another country’s laws. Through this challenge, the young teens realized and fostered the idea that everyone should be grateful for the peaceful presence they lived in, even if it lacked liveliness. The Korean country was under devastation from forcedly learning the language of Japan while facing beatings if Korean pride was shown. The family later coped with the losses of their relatives and neighbors.
This story was very informational about the history between Korea and Japan, which taught readers about the conflicting relations they cooperated in within centuries. I would suggest readers the age of 10 and up to read this book as it does not contain a wide use of vulgar language. The plot was very enticing, and I enjoyed learning about the experience the people had encountered rather than reading about the Japanese occupation through historical textbooks. I would rate this book five stars.
I'm reading this book at the moment and I am enjoying it. My grandma got it for me with no previous knowledge of the book and said I should try it. This is not a book I would usually go to or pick up in the library but it was very good and I am almost done now. If you want a short, quick, meaningful read then go for this book. :)
A story about a girl and her family living in Korea under Japanese rule. As an adult, I enjoyed this easy to read story. Suitable for 12+