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Anonymous
Posted July 24, 2008
Inspiring Story
The Name Jar, Yangsook Choi, 2003 In The Name Jar, Choi delivers a beautiful story about one of the many challenges moving to a new culture brings. Unhei, who has just moved from Korea to the United States, is teased about her unusual name on the bus on her way to her first day of school. Discouraged, when her teacher asks Unhei what her name is, she states that she hasn¿t chosen one yet. In an effort to help Unhei choose a name, her class creates a ¿name jar¿ into which they put their suggestions. With the help of a beautiful name stamp from her Korean grandmother, the reassurance from her family, and her new friend, Joey, Unhei finally decides to keep her Korean name, which means grace. Choi¿s beautiful illustrations are done in bold earth tones and do a wonderful job of flowing with the story. Yangsook Choi grew up in Korea and moved to New York to study art. Publishers Weekly selected her as one of the most prominent new children¿s book artists. She has written many children's books such as Behind the Mask and Peach Heaven as well as illustrated books such as This Next New Year by Janet Wong. Many of her books have received several awards, including the International Reading Association's Children's Book Award, a California Young Reader Medal and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award. While this is a picture book, it is a story that can touch the heart at any age. Choi helps to deliver an inspiring tale of finding one¿s self in a new culture.
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Anonymous
Posted July 26, 2008
The Name Jar Book Review
Book Review: The Name Jar¿By Yangsook Choi '2003' Yangsook Choi has written and illustrated many children's books including The Sun Boy and the Moon Girl, New Cat, and The Next New Year. Choi¿s most recent work, The Name Jar, is a compelling story about a child coming from a different country and going to a new school. Unhei is from Korea and is very anxious to start at her new school in the United States. Unhei becomes worried when none of the children on the bus can pronounce her name. She becomes embarrassed when children in the classroom ask her what her name is, so she tells everyone that she hasn¿t chosen a name yet. Unhei¿s classmates decide to help her out by writing name suggestions and placing them in a jar. Unhei doesn¿t know what name to choose. She finally decides that she likes her name 'which means grace' best of all and teaches the class about her name and how to pronounce it. Unhei¿s best friend, Joey, truly shows great friendship throughout the story by accepting Unhei¿s name and wanting a Korean name for himself. This story is very moving. Unhei¿s strength and courage at the end of this story are very inspirational. Choi includes several of her own experiences in this story of how she probably felt when she moved from Korea to the United States. This is a book that every child should experience because it helps children develop a sense of self and friendship.
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