This fast-paced story will likely compel its readers to learn more about North Korea after finishing it
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)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2132-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016
A helpful guide full of good, sensible advice to teens feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of major life transitions.
A sympathetic, practical self-help guide for teens facing the end of high school and unable to decide what to do next.
The logical direction for most high school students is continuing their education, whether in a vocational program, a community college or a four-year university. The pressures of the expectations, the preparation and choosing the best option can be overwhelming. And what about the one-third of high school graduates who choose not to continue their education? What is the best path for them? Enlist in the military? Work full time? Travel? Volunteer? Morgan’s handbook outlines the many different options available to teens after high school and provides helpful suggestions on how to pursue each path efficiently and successfully. She covers everything from SAT preparation, writing personal statements and internships to trade school pros and cons and information on what to expect from a life in the military. Anecdotes, brainstorming activities, checklists and journal exercises encourage readers to critically reflect on their options.
A helpful guide full of good, sensible advice to teens feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of major life transitions. (resources, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 8, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-936976-32-4
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Zest Books
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
Insofar as the reading level of the book for adults is on a par with this effort—for the most part, only the substance has...
This distillation of the best-selling Killing Jesus: A History (2013) retains the original’s melodramatic tone and present-tense narration. Also its political agenda.
The conservative pundit’s account of Jesus’ life and, in brutal detail, death begins with a nonsensically altered title, an arguable claim to presenting a “fact-based book” and, tellingly, a list of “Key Players” (inserted presumably to help young readers keep track of all the names). Like its source, its prose is as purple as can be, often word for word: “There is a power to Jesus’s gait and a steely determination to his gaze.” Harping on “taxes extorted from the people of Judea” as the chief cause of continuing local unrest, the author presents Jewish society as governed with equal force by religious ritual and by the Romans, and he thoroughly demonizes Herod Antipas (“he even looks the part of a true villain”). Alterations for young readers include more illustrations, periodic sidebars, far fewer maps and a streamlining of context so that the focus is squarely on Jesus, with less attention on the historical moment—an unfortunate choice. Assorted notes on 16 various side topics, from a look at Roman roads to the rise of the cross as a Christian symbol, follow. A mix of 19th-century images, photos of ancient sites and artifacts supplement frequent new illustrations (not seen) from Low.
Insofar as the reading level of the book for adults is on a par with this effort—for the most part, only the substance has been simplified—it’s hard to see the value of this iteration. (source list, recommended reading) (Biography. 12-15)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9877-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
