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Reading age
12+
Genre
Historical fiction
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
May 30, 2023
A North Korean boy refugee fighting for the South Korean army in October 1952 recounts his tale while being trapped in a Chinese-made tunnel.
Myung-gi Kim, a 16-year-old North Korean refugee, fights in the South Korean ROKA (Republic Of Korea Army) so he can find his father, who was captured by some North Korean police when he, his mother, and his little sister, Yoomee, lived in North Korea before escaping to the south. When a grenade exploded near him, sending him flying down the hill and into a Chinese-made tunnel. Trapped in the tunnel, Myung-gi’s memories unspool before him like thread while he waits for what fate planned for him.
This book occurred in North and South Korea from 1945 to 1952. This book is informative about life after the Japanese left Korea when the Soviets came in and what life was like in North Korea. The first time I heard about the war between the two Koreas was in the Korean drama I’m currently watching called Crashlanding on You (by the way, it’s pretty good). I felt terrible for what was going on with the North Koreans. This book also piqued my interest in the Korean War. Did you know that the Koreans had to call themselves Japanese names when the Japanese occupied Korea?
Myung-gi was a bookish and intelligent character like me. He was also determined to prove himself and protect his family at all costs. Yoomee was mischievous and a good artist. Myung-gi and Yoomee’s Uhma (Korean for mom) was hardworking. Their Ahpa (Korean for dad) was also determined and wanted to raise his family as best as possible.
Give this book to history buffs who love an emotional and fantastic story.
My rating
