Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner for A Single Shard and #1 New
York Times bestseller for A Long Walk to Water, is the renowned
author of many books for young readers, including picture books,
poetry, and historical and contemporary fiction. Born in Illinois,
Ms. Park has also lived in California, England, and Ireland. She
now lives in Western New York. Learn more at lindasuepark.com.
JEAN and MOU-SIEN TSENG are a wife and husband team who came to the
United States from Taiwan. They have illustrated nearly two dozen
books for children, many on Asian subjects. This is their first for
Clarion. JEAN and MOU-SIEN TSENG are a wife and husband team who
came to the United States from Taiwan. They have illustrated nearly
two dozen books for children, many on Asian subjects. This is their
first for Clarion.
"Park sympathetically conveys the challenges and joys of becoming
an adult, and offers perspective on the many meanings of
'privileged.' The lovely, delicate illustrations detail traditional
clothing, architecture, and decorative arts for visualization and
context."
-- Booklist"The evocative descriptions and Jade's intensity in
creating new ways to learn will capture and hold readers."
-- Kirkus Reviews"Park's novel offers readers a brief but enticing
glimpose at another time and place." -- School Library Journal"A
wonderful and exciting book." -- Children's Book Review Service
This first novel set in 17th-century Korea centers on 12-year-old Jade Blossom, daughter of one of the king's advisers. With all the temerity of a 1990s girl, Jade plays tricks on her brother (with the help of her cousin Willow), and her yearning to see the world outside of her family's walled household ultimately leads her into trouble. She conceals herself in a basket on market day and catches her first glimpse of the mountains as well as a group of imprisoned Dutch sailors, whom she describes as wearing what looks like "yellow or brown sheep's wool on their cheeks and chins." Park manages to get across many of society's restrictions on girls and women, but often relies on telling rather than showing. For example, Jade says how much her view of the mountains affects her, yet she never describes what it is about the vista that moves her. Readers gain little insight into Jade's relationship with other members of her household or her daily routine. Though the novel glosses over the meaning of the Dutch sailors' appearance, a closing author's note helps to put it into context. Fortunately, Jean and Mou-sien Tseng's animated black-and-white drawings fill in many details missing in the text concerning dress and setting. Ages 8-12. (Aug.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
"Park sympathetically conveys the challenges and joys of
becoming an adult, and offers perspective on the many meanings of
'privileged.' The lovely, delicate illustrations detail traditional
clothing, architecture, and decorative arts for visualization and
context."
-- Booklist"The evocative descriptions
and Jade's intensity in creating new ways to learn will capture and
hold readers."
-- Kirkus Reviews"Park's novel offers
readers a brief but enticing glimpose at another time and place."
-- School Library Journal"A wonderful and exciting
book." -- Children's Book Review Service
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