1. Bibliography
Na, An. 2001. A Step from Heaven. Asheville, N. C.: Front Street. ISBN 978188690584.
Na, An. 2001. A Step from Heaven. Asheville, N. C.: Front Street. ISBN 978188690584.
2. Plot Summary
The story begins with what seems to be a flashback into Young Ju's childhood in Korea. She is four years old and her family is preparing to move to "Mi Gook", America. The family is very excited to be moving and they decide that America is not heave, but is just "A Step From Heaven." After arriving in America, her parents work hard but have many trial and difficulties. Though the end of the story is sad because Young Ju's father returns to Korea, leaving the rest of the family to go on as best as they can. However, there is hope as well as Young Ju pursues "the American dream" by heading off to college.
3. Critical Analysis
An Na’s tale of poverty, acculturation and abuse is told in first-person present-tense narration. Na uses brief sections that are more like titled anecdotes than chapters. Her inclusion of Korean terms requires the reader to employ the use context clues and possibly some rereading at the beginning but then they become almost unnoticed as the story continues. She also allows the reader to experience what it is like to be in a new situation and not being able to understand what is being said, like when Young Ju first arrived at school.“Tees es Yung,” the witch teacher says. “Wah ko um, Yung,” they say. Through Young Ju’s narratives the reader discovers each character. Her father Apa grows increasingly violent and defensive as he drinks more. Her mother Uhmma tries to make the best of their situation and works hard to keep the family together. Her brother Joon is the long awaited boy who is allowed to do things that would be considered unacceptable for a girl to do. “Young Ju, Apa says, shaking his head. Joon Ho is a boy. It is natural for him to pee outside.” The ongoing coming-of-age theme is intertwined with Young Ju’s struggle of not becoming too American as her parents fear and being ashamed of her family’s situation. But Young Ju is portrayed as an intelligent girl who continues to thrive despite her situation. She receives moral support to succeed from her mother “I am proud of you, Young Ju, Uhmma says, looking down into my eyes. You are a smart girl and someday you will be a smart woman.” And as the story ends, the reader sees her connect with her mother and fully understand where they have come from.
The story begins with what seems to be a flashback into Young Ju's childhood in Korea. She is four years old and her family is preparing to move to "Mi Gook", America. The family is very excited to be moving and they decide that America is not heave, but is just "A Step From Heaven." After arriving in America, her parents work hard but have many trial and difficulties. Though the end of the story is sad because Young Ju's father returns to Korea, leaving the rest of the family to go on as best as they can. However, there is hope as well as Young Ju pursues "the American dream" by heading off to college.
3. Critical Analysis
An Na’s tale of poverty, acculturation and abuse is told in first-person present-tense narration. Na uses brief sections that are more like titled anecdotes than chapters. Her inclusion of Korean terms requires the reader to employ the use context clues and possibly some rereading at the beginning but then they become almost unnoticed as the story continues. She also allows the reader to experience what it is like to be in a new situation and not being able to understand what is being said, like when Young Ju first arrived at school.“Tees es Yung,” the witch teacher says. “Wah ko um, Yung,” they say. Through Young Ju’s narratives the reader discovers each character. Her father Apa grows increasingly violent and defensive as he drinks more. Her mother Uhmma tries to make the best of their situation and works hard to keep the family together. Her brother Joon is the long awaited boy who is allowed to do things that would be considered unacceptable for a girl to do. “Young Ju, Apa says, shaking his head. Joon Ho is a boy. It is natural for him to pee outside.” The ongoing coming-of-age theme is intertwined with Young Ju’s struggle of not becoming too American as her parents fear and being ashamed of her family’s situation. But Young Ju is portrayed as an intelligent girl who continues to thrive despite her situation. She receives moral support to succeed from her mother “I am proud of you, Young Ju, Uhmma says, looking down into my eyes. You are a smart girl and someday you will be a smart woman.” And as the story ends, the reader sees her connect with her mother and fully understand where they have come from.
4. Review Excerpts
2001 ALA Best Books For Young Adults
2001 Booklist Starred: "As in the best writing , the particulars make the story universal."
2001 Horn Book Starred: “Each of these vignettes displays an astonishing and memorable force.”
2001 School Library Journal Starred: “A beautifully written, affecting work."
5. Connections2001 ALA Best Books For Young Adults
2001 Booklist Starred: "As in the best writing , the particulars make the story universal."
2001 Horn Book Starred: “Each of these vignettes displays an astonishing and memorable force.”
2001 School Library Journal Starred: “A beautifully written, affecting work."
* Author Interview
* Read other Korean American fiction:
Czech, Jan M. An American Face. ISBN 9780878678183
Lee, Marie G. Finding My Voice. ISBN 9780395621349
Recorvits, Helen. My Name is Yoon. ISBN 9780374351144
Shin, Sun Yung. Cooper’s Lesson. ISBN 9780892391936
Son, John. Finding My Hat. ISBN 9780439435383
*Discussion and writing prompts:
What, exactly is immigration? What would make a family leave their homeland to seek a new life in another country? What kinds of problems could an immigrant face while building a new life? What are some of the problems faced by the family in the story?
Prompt: If your family moved to a foreign country, what challenges would be hardest to face?
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