Fiction: Everything Asian

Sung Woo's has written a thoughful and honest novel about the experiences of a korean family, reunited in America after a 5 year separation.

David Kim is twelve years old, and he hasn't seen his dad since he was seven. His father left his wife, son and daughter behind in order to build a better life in the US: but David isn't so sure it's better when he arrives in Newark, New Jersey.

He speaks no English, his fifteen year old sister is miserable at losing her friends and boyfriend, and his mother is suffering total culture shock in stoic silence. On top of that, his dad is a total stranger (although one who desperately wants to get to know his family again).

Over the course of a year, we hear from each member of the family. As they attempt to settle in to their new surroundings and each other, life goes on; people get sick, their business does better and then worse, and they deal with typical adolescent issues such as love, friends, and parental conflict. The true value of this book is in its unflinchingly honest assessment of immigrant life; sometimes good, sometimes bad. Kids who have gone through this experience will find a lot to identify with here, and those (like myself) who have never moved to a new country will have their eyes opened. The whole experience, as David puts it, "Could be worse". A worthwhile book.

Realistic Fiction

Grades 8-12

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