Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North Korea

by Susan McClelland, Sungju Lee Narrated by David Shih

Overview

Every Falling Star, the first book to portray contemporary North Korea to a young audience, is the intense memoir of a North Korean boy named Sungju who is forced at age twelve to live on the streets and fend for himself. To survive, Sungju creates a gang and lives by thieving, fighting, begging, and stealing rides on cargo trains. Sungju richly re-creates his scabrous story, depicting what it was like for a boy alone to create a new family with his gang, his "brothers"; to be hungry and to fear arrest, imprisonment, and even execution. This riveting memoir allows young listeners to learn about other cultures where freedoms they take for granted do not exist.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Connection

"There are lessons about resilience, friendship, and family to take to heart... The ending satisfies and offers some hope."

From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY

"A pampered son of the elite survives a nightmarish ordeal in this page-turner of a memoir." —Kirkus

Booklist

"[Sungju Lee's] sheer determination rings loudest in this rarely heard perspective. Better yet, the memoir is accessible to younger teens first being exposed to complicated global political and conditions."

VOYA

"An amazing tale of resilience and an interesting history of an area westerners rarely hear about. "

Booklist

"[Sungju Lee's] sheer determination rings loudest in this rarely heard perspective. Better yet, the memoir is accessible to younger teens first being exposed to complicated global political and conditions."

From the Publisher

"A pampered son of the elite survives a nightmarish ordeal in this page-turner of a memoir." ---Kirkus

Kirkus Reviews

2016-06-01
A pampered son of the elite survives a nightmarish ordeal in this page-turner of a memoir.Sungju Lee's carefree life, playing with his rare pedigreed dog and watching cartoons, comes to an abrupt end at age 11 when his family is banished to a remote seaside town after his army officer father transgresses in unspecified ways. The mid-1990s famine that eventually killed over 1 million North Koreans soon takes its toll, as each of his parents leaves in search of food and does not return. Teaming up with several friends, Lee travels the country—stealing in markets; fighting other gangs for territory; smoking, drinking, and using opium; getting arrested and imprisoned; finding clients for a madam's "nightflowers"; and losing two of his friends in brutal attacks. Straightforward prose prevents this harrowing tale from overwhelming readers, but at times it may emotionally distance them. Over time the boys shed their faith in the regime but never give up on dreams of reunion with their families. A short foreword offers readers some historical context, but the story's emphasis on the dangers of daily survival mirrors Lee's lack of awareness at the time of larger political events. This fast-paced story will likely compel its readers to learn more about North Korea after finishing it. (Memoir. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170952557
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	09/13/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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