A Korean family moves to California and
struggle to live in America. When Young Ju is told that they are moving to Mi
Gook (America) she believes that it is a magical place where she can see her deceased grandparents. However Young Ju learns that it is not heaven. She struggles to
learn English, her family has financial problems, her younger brother doesn’t
listen and her father is and abusive alcoholic. Her father is very prideful and sexist so all
she does is study to stay out of his way. He abuses her mother on several
occasions as well as her brother and herself. He forbids her to hand out with her American friend. Young Ju takes time to transition
to her life in America and as she gets older she finds a voice to change the
lives of her family and her own.
This is a beautiful story! It is told in
Young Ju’s perspective so in the beginning it is childlike and then it progresses
along with her maturity to adulthood. Her development gradually grows and is very
real. A very realistic novel. I definitely recommend this book.
Na, A. (2001). A step from heaven. Asheville, NC: Front Street.
Special Note: This book is a Micheal L. Printz award winner.
Another book that I read similar to this one is Bitter Melon by Cara Chow.
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