Books

A Cab Called Reliable  by Patti Kim   

Ahn Joo Cho emigrated from Korea to Virginia when she was seven. Two years later, a cab called reliable takes away her mother and infant brother forever. Over the years, Ahn Joo excels at writing while her home life with her old-fashioned father deteriorates. A heart-breaking secret finally sets her free to create her own heritage.

A Dream Come True  by Adorable Adoptees (Jessica Rose, Nicole and Sarah Dankert)

These three teens, all adopted from Korea, created a memory book especially for adopted children. Notebook-style binder, with Velcro-closure and cute artwork, allows for customization.

A Euro-American on a Korean Tour at a Thai Restaurant in China  by Chris Winston

Part memoir, part parenting guide, this book shares how a mother worked to meet her children’s needs and, in doing so, birthed a new kind of community.

A Family in South Korea  by Lerner Publications

Describes the busy life of Chun Yung Mee who lives with her family in a village in the Republic of Korea. Includes color photos on each page.

A Gesture Life  by Chang-Rae Lee

As he did in his debut (Native Speaker), the author explores the dilemma of being an outsider. First, as a native-born Korean, protagonist Franklin Hata bends over backwards to fit into Japanese culture, circa 1944. Then he attempts a similar bit of environmental adaptation in postwar America–more specifically, in the slumbering New York suburb of Bedley Run. But in neither case does he quite succeed, which gives the novel its peculiar, faltering sense of tragedy.

A Ghost at Heart’s Edge  by Susan Ito and Tina Cervin (editors)

Fifty short stories and poems reveal the sometimes heartbreaking, often affirming tales of adoption. Written from the point of view of birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, this unique anthology spans nations and cultures. Includes authors Alison Lurie, Isabel Allende, Sandra McPherson, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Louise Erdrich, Chitra Divakaruni, and Lynna Williams.

A Gift of the Emperor  by Therese Park

A graphic story about Korean comfort women.

A Kid’s Guide to Asian-American History  by Valerie Petrillo

More than 70 activities including eleven based in Korean culture.

A Korean Mother’s Cooking Notes  by Chang Sun-Young

Easy to follow; reads like a journal.

A New Beginning: A Collection of Essays  by Kim Dae-Jung

Writings by the current president of South Korea and winner of the 200 Nobel Peace prize, spanning nearly four decades of South Korea’s struggle for democracy and human rights.

A New History of Korea  by Ki-baik Lee

Widely used as a college text in Korea. Translated into several other languages, including this English one.

A New History of Korea  by Ki-baik Lee

A Person of Interest  by Susan Choi

An Asian-American professor is suspected of terrorism and murder when a colleague is killed. He receives a letter leading him to suspect the true culprit is an old nemesis seeking revenge.

A Ricepaper Airplane  by Gary Pak

A dying man envisions a ricepaper airplane that would carry him back to his Korean homeland and to his wife and children.

A Single Shard  by Linda Sue Park

Tree-ear, a thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, lives under a bridge in a potters village, and longs to learn how to throw the delicate celadon ceramics himself. A 2002 Newbery medal winner.

A Single Square Picture: A Korean Adoptee’s Search for Her Roots  by Katy Robinson

What a beautifully shared story! Kim Ji-yun (Katy) left Korea to be adopted in the United States at the age of seven, and returns as a married 28-year-old to rediscover the family and roots she can hardly remember.

A Step from Heaven  by Ah Na

A young Korean girl and her family find it difficult to learn English and adjust to life in America. Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in Literature.

A Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems  by Janet S. Wong

Perceptive, touching, and often amusing poems about the author’s Korean, Chinese, and American heritage and her family.

A Tiger by the Tale and Other Stories from the Heart of Korea  retold by Lindy Soom Curry   

Folktales with tips from a professional storyteller on developing one’s own storytelling style. Ages 9+.