An unusual and effective linking of grief with a cross-cultural celebration of Christmas.
A grieving Korean boy hopes to regain happiness on Christmas in this illustrated children’s book, the first in a trilogy.
Although Christmas isn’t a traditional Korean celebration, many families give presents to young kids then because “small children loved Christmas regardless of tradition and religion.” For Youngho Kim, 12, getting something special this year would mean a lot. He slides into trouble and has been grounded after the most recent incident when he somehow managed to dump a bucket of kimchi on a teacher’s head. More seriously, his beloved grandpa, who’d lived with the family, died unexpectedly last year, and Youngho misses him greatly. Just about the only thing Youngho enjoys these days is taking his dog, Chadori, for long walks around his home in a Seoul suburb. The boy’s heart breaks when the spaniel he adores is diagnosed with cancer and must be euthanized. He becomes withdrawn, quiet, and even avoids his best friend, Manu. By Christmas Eve, though, Youngho regains some holiday spirit. Rather than any other present, he wishes he could see Grandad and Chadori again. That night, Youngho awakens to find his Grandad in his room, dressed in a Santa suit that resembles the traditional Korean hanbok formal dress, accompanied by Chadori. Rejoicing, the boy is astonished to learn that Grandad is serving as one of Father Christmas’s present-delivering helpers this year. “Your wish has built a bridge of sorts,” Grandad explains, and he invites Youngho to come with him, visit “the feast of Christmas spirits all over the world,” and “get a glimpse of the spirit realm at the same time!” As Book 1 ends, grandfather, grandson, and their dog step out together into a portal of light.
In her debut book, Chu builds on the Dickensian tradition of a Christmas ghost story, signaling her intention with an epigraph from A Christmas Carol. As in that tale, suffering and loss are met with the season’s cheerful goodwill, which requires a change of heart for the main character. Youngho is no Scrooge, but he certainly needs help to regain his natural optimism. His grief isn’t downplayed, but Chu keeps the tone from getting too dark by including comic bits, such as a paragraph on Chadori’s toxic farts. The Christmas presented here is almost entirely secular; for example, Youngho’s older sister plans to go to a Protestant service this year because that’s where all the cute boys will be. Rather than a church, here an interior-design shop filled with attractive baubles for sale best represents the spirit of the season. Again, though, this conception of Christmas resembles Dickens’ focus on feasting, parties, fun, dancing, and family closeness. Chu writes vividly, which contrasts with Youngho’s depressed mood by pointing out that part of him is still able to notice sights like a sunset coloring “everything red, gold, pink, purple and orange, just like before” when he used to walk Chadori. The unresolved ending is somewhat unsatisfying, but a preview of the next book provides first steps toward bridging the gap. Chu’s whimsical, doodle-y illustrations have energy, a goofy sweetness, and a rich palette, nicely reflecting the season, the plot, and Youngho’s personality.
An unusual and effective linking of grief with a cross-cultural celebration of Christmas.Pub Date: Nov. 19, 2020
ISBN: 978-8-26-920854-2
Page Count: 212
Publisher: Solkroken Media
Review Posted Online: Dec. 9, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Riveting, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious.
If you made a recording to be heard by the aliens who found the iPod, what would you record?
For 11-year-old Alex Petroski, it's easy. He records everything. He records the story of how he travels to New Mexico to a rocket festival with his dog, Carl Sagan, and his rocket. He records finding out that a man with the same name and birthday as his dead father has an address in Las Vegas. He records eating at Johnny Rockets for the first time with his new friends, who are giving him a ride to find his dead father (who might not be dead!), and losing Carl Sagan in the wilds of Las Vegas, and discovering he has a half sister. He even records his own awful accident. Cheng delivers a sweet, soulful debut novel with a brilliant, refreshing structure. His characters manage to come alive through the “transcript” of Alex’s iPod recording, an odd medium that sounds like it would be confusing but really works. Taking inspiration from the Voyager Golden Record released to space in 1977, Alex, who explains he has “light brown skin,” records all the important moments of a journey that takes him from a family of two to a family of plenty.
Riveting, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious. (Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-399-18637-0
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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