When My Name Was Keoko

When My Name Was Keoko

By Linda Sue Park

Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright 2002

pp. 199

When My Name Was Keoko

Required

     A compelling novel, When My Name Was Keoko, provides the reader with a remarkable historical description of a family during the Japanese occupation of Korea. I feel some background knowledge is definitely needed before reading this novel. Personally, I was not very familiar with many of the geographical locations discussed in the book and would have benefited from looking a map.

    After being “graciously allowed” to take Japanese names Sun-hee becomes Keoko. With her entire world turned upside down, Sun-hee tries to make sense of all the changes. The book is alternately told from the point of Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul. I feel it is very helpful to see varying points of view in this story because it makes the story seem well-rounded and unbiased.

       I made several connections to this novel. First, when the Koreans’ radios were taken away it reminded me of what is happening in China with the restrictions of the Google website. By limiting informational access, governments feel they can keep their citizens under control. Secondly, I connected to the father’s belief of the importance of education because of my own families same beliefs. An educated citizen is a citizen with a mind of his or her own and dangerous to governmental control. I feel the father’s quiet resistance of the Japanese took a great deal of self-control and courage. In my opinion, this type of resistance is much harder than the uncle’s outward displays. The father did not agree with new ways, yet had to play the part for the safety of his family.

     This is a terrific book for the middle school student. The historical information is outstanding and the themes are plentiful, so each student should be able to make many connections to the world and to his or her self.