Book Tour in Korean International Schools
In January-February 2018, I spent a month back in Korea on an author tour of nine international schools, seven in Seoul and two on Jeju Island — including Seoul Foreign School, which I attended for part of 2nd grade, all of 3rd, and all four years of high school. There I got to see myself on the cafeteria wall with other winners of the Seoul Foreign School Award.
The trip offered wonderful opportunities for explorations of the content, themes, and process of creating In the Shadow of the Sun, with students from fourth grade through high school.
At Branksome Hall Asia, a girls’ K-12 English-language immersion school on Jeju, I explored creating fictional characters with high school students who were also writers.
In high school English classes at St. Johnsbury Academy on Jeju, we talked about identity — how racial and cultural identity develops, the difference between minority- and majority-group identity, the experience of being bicultural and “third culture” — and did free-writing.
After the sessions, the librarian invited students to reflect on the experience if they chose, asking about their favorite comment, their favorite idea, what inspired them, and about personal connections they made. She was deluged with wonderful responses. Here are a few:
- The talk was very captivating. I plan to read your book about North Korea. I was also inspired by your idea of writing a notebook with random ideas. I think it is similar to a diary, with a lot more freedom. I didn’t have an opportunity to actually meet a writer before, so the entire experience was very exciting for me. Personally, I can’t imagine writing as a job…..^^; DHK
- 1. Ideas come the best when doing a free writing. 2. My favourite idea we’ve discussed was about the technique and benefit of free writing before doing actual writing. 3. When she said that a perfect writing always come after constant revisions, I was hugely inspired by it. 4. My grandfather was a North Korean defector before the war broke out. He told me about the suffering and adversity he have been through in North Korea. When you were talking about the book that you have written, I could somehow relate it to my grandfather’s experience. It was great to hear from you. Thank you. DKG
- I really liked the concept of your book, ‘In the Shadow of the Sun’ and wanted to read the book. It was not a usual opportunity to see a foreigner who can speak both Korean and English came to make a speech or lecture, and it was fascinating. Especially, the metaphor you used to explain writing habit, Composting, was mind-blowing. I still keep the note that I wrote about my identity, and will use them whenever I have to write something or when I have to organize my thoughts. GWK
- My class discussed about when we feel that we are Korean. In this process, the Guest Author commented ‘Keep writing, do not stop writing.’ which was my favorite comment. This comment inspired me. When she asked us to write about when do we feel that we are Korean for 5 minutes, when I ran out of ideas, I tried to just think about what to write and not stop writing. YSO
- I liked to discuss about bi-cultural behavior. Also, I liked to share what kind of culture did you experienced and what did you learn about it. EG
- Listening to her story made me recognize the cultural diversity in the world. This helped me to learn the fact that it is important to respect everybody who has each unique culture. HJC
- She talked about multi-cultural perspective which is topic that we usually can sympathize. It is because we are in the international school. After the presentation, I could think about myself. Thank you for giving wonderful speech to us. Maybe I will try your book soon. JHK
- When I first met her in the history class, I could heard about the third culture, which I had never hear before. Her presentation inspired me to think about my identity. Think about my background, surroundings, and the variables in my life. Also, I could learn that our own culture could be constantly changed by the various experiences. NEJ
- The favorite comment was about 3rd culture kid which is a mixture of two or more culture. This came to my mind because I have also experienced multi culture and believed myself that I am a 3rd culture kid. Favorite idea discussed was ‘free writing’ which actually helped me a lot in reshaping my thoughts. I have spent nearly three years in New York and the concept of Mrs. Ann’s speech which was basically about cultural mix. I truly agreed when she said that the 3rd culture kids feel like home in many places but at the same time “never home.” JHK
A “nuanced portrayal of North Korea”
From Publishers Weekly:
Read MoreIn her first novel, picture book author O’Brien (I’m New Here) presents a nuanced portrayal of North Korea; the government is restrictive and the police force divided, but the citizens’ complex perspectives and attitudes are revealed in thoughtful, interspersed dispatches. Mia’s reflections about being Korean in Connecticut versus in Korea are powerful, as is her assertion that she is “growing into both her names.”
A “fast-paced and tense survivalist thriller”
From Booklist:
O’Brien weaves plenty of information about the country through the story, and interspersed sections describing the experiences of some of the North Koreans they meet on their trip add depth. Mia, who was adopted from South Korea by a white American family, offers some thought-provoking insight into the experience of interracial adoption. This fast-paced and tense survivalist thriller, made all the more compelling for its fascinating setting, should find broad appeal.
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