(2) 4-6 Julia on the Go! series. Illustrated by Julie Kim. The rec center is nine-year-old Julia Nam's second home: it's where her parents' restaurant, Sushi to Go, is located, as well as the library and the swimming pool where she is the youngest member of the swim team. Fiercely driven, Julia goes hard in warm-ups and doesn't let up until practice is over. She lives for time trials, which her coach calls Personal Best Day, or PBD. When an ear infection forces her to take a ten-day break from swimming, she goes stir-crazy at the thought of missing PBD and the chance to qualify to compete in a regional meet. Her parents advise her that she needs to be patient and "roll with it," punning on the sushi rolls they sell. But she just can't, and readers benefit from the often-humorous trouble she gets into. Kim's black-and-white illustrations bring the rec center environment to life. Ahn subtly fleshes out Julia's world, noting in passing how the young athlete sometimes went to school hungry when her Korean immigrant parents juggled part-time jobs. This spirited first book in a projected series delivers a meaningful message about resilience, the value of patience and flexibility, and the benefits of teamwork and community building.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) 4-6 In this middle-grade fantasy with a Korean folkloric twist, Korean American Ronnie Miller, twelve, works to solve the mystery behind the specter haunting her during summer camp at Rhee Manor in gloomy, woodsy Washington State. Although her best friend is also attending the two-week session, Ronnie worries about fitting in and misses her widowed father. Eerie encounters with Min-Young, a murdered Rhee family heiress, initially scare Ronnie, but the tween befriends the gwisin (ghost) and helps Min-Young figure out what her unfinished tasks are while she evades a witch-hunting dokkaebi (goblin). Over the course of the book, Ronnie makes new friends and allies, uncovers family secrets, and outmaneuvers the enemy while adapting to her newfound magical abilities. Suspenseful scenes are tempered with regular summer camp activities such as scavenger hunts. What elevates this supernatural tale is the protagonist's emotional journey; Ronnie's initial imposter syndrome, fears of not being "Korean enough," and unexplored grief over the death of her mother and grandfather are all sensitively drawn. Ultimately, she learns that love, friendship, and sharing memories prevail.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Hanna Cha. In this picture book set in 1950, Kyung lives with her family in a seaside house in the southeastern Korean coastal city of Busan. As the North Korean and Chinese militaries push south, many families begin to flee toward Busan. Kyung's parents take several of these refugees in, giving them shelter and safety. The girl shares her home, food, parents' attention, and sleeping mat, which she tolerates but becomes increasingly annoyed about. She eventually learns grace and perspective: "visitors are not stones we can toss into the sea. They are people, our neighbors, to help and to love." Cha's illustrations pay exquisite attention to the beauty of the seaside landscape, using color to intensify the experience of being near the ocean. Vibrant greens and blues swirl, producing the feeling of an ever-moving sea, while wheaty shades of tan create sand and scrub, all of which contrast with the darkness of a makeshift air raid shelter where women and children hide. This gorgeously illustrated book contains beautiful turns of phrase and metaphors ("we sat like two quiet hills, the breeze combing through our hair"). It's a touching homage to the author's own grandparents' heroism, which also offers rare insight into complex feelings about personal sacrifice and witnessing the suffering of others. A glossary is appended, and author and illustrator notes provide historical context.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) YA Korean American Yuna feels stifled by the traditional ways of her immigrant parents. She brings homemade lunches to school while her classmates get pizza. She stays home while her friends have sleepovers. A Korean legend passed down to Yuna from her halmoni (grandmother) says that if one gathers a thousand paper stars into a jar, a wish is granted. Yuna takes on this challenge, and upon folding the thousandth star, makes a fateful wish to return to Korea and so lead a "normal" life. The next morning, she awakes to learn that Halmoni has died unexpectedly and finds that her own hand has started transforming into paper. In Korea for her grandmother's funeral, she strives to fold another thousand stars in order to reverse her wish and bring Halmoni back to life--and avoid turning into paper ("I am a paper girl...blowing in the wind. Alone and fragile. I am invisible"). Yi's poignant graphic novel weaves together themes of isolation, belonging, guilt, death, and family along with the complex dynamics of forging a Korean American identity. The plot oscillates between the past and present, unraveling events through intermittent flashbacks. Yuna's memories unfold through pastel shades of blue; her mother's memories of her childhood and Halmoni, in sepia tones. Montage panels reflect Halmoni's endearing acts of love. Memory, magic, and mystery converge to tell an intergenerational story that captivates the imagination and heart.

Reviewer: Jerry Dear | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jaime Kim. Two little dokkaebi ("something of a cross between a spirit and a goblin" per the informative appended note), Doki and Kebi, venture from their home in Korea to "a land where...there are haunted houses, and people go visit them because they WANT to be scared." Scaring humans is one of Kebi's greatest treats, but Doki would rather read books. Their new home is the perfect compromise--but Halloween brings an unexpected, narratively satisfying twist. Cartoony digital illustrations give the dokkaebi--shown as colorful, blobby, rosy-cheeked tricksters--personality and provide funny, scene-setting details.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) YA This companion novel to Lee's Brother's Keeper tells the story of Kim Myung-gi and his family from the end of Japan's occupation of Korea through Russia's invasion to the start of the Korean War. The narrative begins harrowingly in 1952 with the war underway and sixteen-year-old Myung-gi, a North Korean soldier, trapped in a collapsed tunnel. Chapters alternate between Myung-gi's desperate­ attempts to escape and flashbacks beginning in 1945 when Myung-gi is nine. (The shifts in time are clearly indicated at the start of each chapter.) When it becomes too dangerous to stay in their village, the family makes plans to flee south to Busan, but communist soldiers abduct Myung-gi's father before they can leave--and Myung-gi blames himself. Their mother decides they will follow through with the plan to escape; their journey is fraught with peril. Ultimately, Myung-gi is rescued from the tunnel; an epilogue told from Myung-gi's father’s point of view, thirty-five years after the war, encapsulates­ the scope of loss for this family. Lee's vivid, visceral writing provides readers with an unflinching story of war and survival as well as an intimate look at everyday life for Koreans caught up in geo-political forces over which they have no control. Few books for young readers grapple with the Korean War from this perspective; it's an important story to tell, but the bleakness and emphasis on trauma makes for a dark and intense read.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) YA In this historical novel set in eighteenth-century Korea, Baek-hyeon, despite her low social status, has recently attained the coveted position of palace nurse when she and a friend encounter a mass murder scene at the public medical office: four young nurses have been killed. Suspicion is cast upon the Crown Prince as the possible perpetrator, and the list of victims grows as the murderer runs free. Hyeon and handsome, stoic police inspector Eojin work together to catch the criminal, uncovering forbidden love and royal family secrets along the way. Exciting and fast-paced, this unusual detective story transports readers to Korea's Joseon Dynasty, providing (per the author's note) one version of the tragic true story of Crown Prince Jangheon. Though some readers may find the Korean vocabulary difficult to keep track of, its frequent use to set the cultural context is a testament to Hur's dedication in researching Korea's complex history. Romance, adventure, and mystery keep pages turning, and readers will undoubtedly find themselves drawn to Hyeon's smarts, ambition, and strong will.

Reviewer: Gabi K. Huesca | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(1) PS A striking die-cut paper-over-board cover, vertical orientation (with spine at the top of the book), and adventurous use of white space are only some of the characteristics that make this South Korean import so thrilling. The setting is established through a very brief text on the opening spread. "So much snow. It is starting to snow. I've never seen the snow fall like this. There's so much. So much snow!" From here the book is wordless; Park manipulates viewers' perspectives and expectations through the creative placement of two sweater-clad figures across snow-filled double-page spreads. The pair emerges from their snowed-under chalet and, through a combination of extensive digging and plowing, tunnel their way to the top of the deep snow. Comedy ensues in the form of an escalating snowball fight, along with what appear to be scenes of the duo struggling to push an invisible object across the blank white pages. Subsequent page-turns depict the pair taking a selfie in front of seemingly empty space and hauling a large triangular object up a tall ladder. A vertical gatefold reveals their humorous goal: to create a skyscraper-sized snowman. Park's digital illustrations confidently feature only two colors, yellow and blue; however, the use of nondelineated white to represent both positive space (such as a white snowball partially covering a character) and negative space (snowy backgrounds) in the same scenes creates an exciting visual dissonance that necessitates careful examination and rewards rereading. This boldly graphic picture book is as sophisticated as it is fun...and very cool.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(3) K-3 Translated by Jieun Kiaer. One "very, very hot night," the moon--shown in the textured and creative three-dimensional collage illustrations as a glowing ball in the dark sky--begins to melt. Granny (a bespectacled wolf) scurries from her apartment to catch the droplets in a bucket, then prepares them into frozen treats enjoyed by her neighbors. Everyone goes back to bed, newly cool and contented ("their dreams were icy and sweet"); and then two rabbits knock on Granny's door. Explaining that their home has "melted away," the creatures seek refuge and counsel. Not to worry: clever Granny comes up with a solution, one that recalls the Korean folklore upon which this well-paced, accessibly written and translated, and visually sumptuous picture book is based.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) 4-6 Gifted Clans series. As an adopted member of the Gom, the Korean healing-witch clan, Riley wishes she had magic like her sister Hattie so she could finally fit in. Hattie's spell to give Riley half of her magic is preempted by some shocking news, though--Riley isn't actually saram, a non-magical person, but instead is a member of the Horangi, the clan expelled for attempting to steal the goddesses' power for themselves. Undeterred, Hattie determines to summon Mago Halmi, the mother of all creation, to ask that Riley be transformed into a Gom, but the spell overtaxes her, and she collapses. Riley agrees to go on a quest to locate the "last fallen star" in order to save her sister. Kim has crafted her adventure from Korean myths, and the Riordan imprint's winning formula informs its construction: mythological monsters menace modern-day kids, who must learn to use their powers while contending with the gods/goddesses to prevent certain catastrophe. Riley is helped on her quest by her best friend Emmett, whose steadfast if unsentimental companionship offers a contrast to the reversals and layers of intrigue they encounter while tracking down the fallen star. The ending hints at possible sequels to this warm, well-plotted fantasy.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) YA After receiving feedback that her performance lacks spark, seventeen-year-old cellist Jenny Go decides to heed her uncle's advice and "live a little." Jenny, very uncharacteristically, goes on a one-night adventure at and around the L.A. Korean Festival with cute, mysterious Jaewoo, who is visiting from Korea. Soon after, she bargains to accompany her mother on her visit to Seoul to care for Jenny's grandmother, who has colon cancer; while they're there, Jenny will study at the prestigious Seoul Arts Academy. In addition to reconnecting with her roots, she finds that Jaewoo also attends the school--and is the lead singer of the famous K-pop group XOXO. Despite his packed schedule and the school's strict rules, they fall for each other. Oh treats readers to a whirlwind romance with all the hallmarks of a K-drama (forbidden romance, betrayal, illness). The author's obvious love of K-pop is contagious, and the glimpse into idol culture makes for a primarily breezy, enjoyable read. Depictions of ordinary student and family life in Korea, and the natural integration of Korean words and phrases in conversation, invite readers to explore Korean food, language, and culture.

Reviewer: Gabi K. Huesca | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS A young Korean American boy travels across the ocean to visit his grandfather in South Korea. Everything is strange there. "It smells strange. It sounds strange." Grandpa speaks an unfamiliar language and eats food that the child doesn't want to eat. The boy is not happy. "Grandpa's house is the most boring place on earth!" But some time spent together proves him wrong. Grandpa laughs when watching cartoons and loves chocolate ice cream. He's a great singer, and also a troublemaker--just like his grandson! Now, everything is familiar. The child can understand Grandpa's language and eat Grandpa's food. And he can't wait to be back next summer. In this sweet and funny story, Yum (Saturday Is Swimming Day, rev. 7/18; I Am a Bird, rev. 1/21) explores the grandparent-grandchild relationship and shows how barriers of language, culture, distance, and age are overcome through the creation of shared memories and finding commonality. The straightforward text is easily accessible, and the colored-pencil illustrations are bright and vibrant. Faithful representations of street scenes and food culture in South Korea invite readers from the same background to connect personally with the visual narrative while allowing others to experience something new. The front and back endpapers also include a wealth of detail and provide a visual summary of the story.

Reviewer: Weileen Wang | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jess X. Snow. Young Korean girl Dayeon admires her diver grandmother ("You are like a treasure-hunting mermaid") and wants to be like her. Grandma is a haenyeo, one of many elderly women who, as the afterword explains, wear a lead belt, flippers, and a mask to dive deep into the sea and collect treasures that can be sold, saved, or eaten. Dayeon has tried to dive, but after a scary experience the previous summer, she is hesitant. Dressed for the sea, she explores the tide pool, collecting shells and splashing her flippers, then slowly builds up the courage to wade a bit further into the water and finally to dive deep with Grandma. This sweet story of a girl overcoming her fear to experience something wondrous and share in an inherited tradition also offers a slice of life that will be new and fascinating to many readers. Cho's text is accessible and informative. Snow's illustrations carry Dayeon from morning through sunset with cozy home scenes, busy beach and boat scenes, and immersive underwater views; light, shadow, and color evoke all the sensations of the divers' experiences. Details about the ­haenyeo tradition and history shared in the afterword, including quotes from real-life women in their seventies and eighties, show the depth of the community and family relationships so beautifully portrayed in the story.

Reviewer: Autumn Allen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Min has a powerful secret: she's a fox spirit disguised as a human; she can shape-shift and use magic to alter others' perceptions. Min enthusiastically wields these powers when she ditches her "dismal life" on the barren planet Jinju to track down her brother Jun, a Space Forces cadet who's gone AWOL. Lee's richly detailed, cohesive, original vision is a lively mash-up of outer-space sci-fi and Korean culture and folklore.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) YA To improve her chances of Ivy League admittance, Ji-Su's parents send her from South Korea to San Francisco for senior year, where she must also continue attending seons, or arranged dates. Though initially resentful, Ji-Su enjoys American life--including the attention from two different guys. The international-student perspective and glimpse into Korean culture distinguishes this breezy story from other genre titles.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Keum Jin Song. In 2016, South Korean church members, originally refugees from North Korea, sent rice bags attached to helium balloons to North Korea to feed starving people. In this fictionalized story, a girl tries to convince other children who feel North Koreans are "the enemy" to join the effort. Slick digital illustrations contrast the lush South Korean countryside with barren North Korea. Includes extensive background material. Reading list.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage. An invented story posits the origin of a sixteenth-century Korean warship. Yi Sun-sin (a real person, who later became an admiral) notices his turtle's resiliency and enters his pet in the king's contest for a new battleship design. He wins, and a ship is built with a protective covering reminiscent of a turtle's shell. Textured collages capture emotion and evoke setting; an afterword provides more information. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) YA Illustrated by Alex Puvilland. Color by Hilary Sycamore. Westerfeld continues the Annihilation-reminiscent plot of Spill Zone, in which Addie entered a section of Poughkeepsie taken over by a toxic otherness. Addie returns here but with special powers, and she's joined by Jae, a boy transformed by a similar area in North Korea. With striking coloring, dynamic panels, and page-turning action, this graphic novel brings the story to a thrilling conclusion.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(2) 1-3 This gentle and humorous graphic novel for younger readers is told exclusively through dialogue, sound effects, and visual narrative. Siblings Noona and Joon follow clues in search of their missing grandmother and are transported to a magical world featuring Korean-speaking characters and imagery from Korean folklore. Adventures ensue, some fraught with danger. Additional information about the folktale characters is provided in the back matter. Glos.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(4) 4-6 Mia and her older brother Simon find themselves embroiled in international intrigue when their foreign-aid-worker father is arrested while they are visiting North Korea. The siblings discover they possess dangerous photos that must get out of the country. Character development is weak, but the action scenes keep things interesting. Information about North Korea and short fictional profiles revealing daily life there are interspersed throughout.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo