Seesaw Girl

Ragina Shearer
5653 Multicultural Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Book Review – Asian American Literature

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Park, Linda Sue. 1999. SEESAW GIRL. Illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng. New York, New York. ISBN 10: 0-395-91514-7

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The story is set in seventeenth century Korea. The main character Jade Blossom is the 12 year old daughter of one of the king’s advisors. As was the custom at this time the women and girls sit together doing needlework while the boys were in school. The extended family lives together within compound walls and girls are not allowed out. Jade is curious and after her aunt leaves to marry she constantly ask her brother to tell her of the market and the mountains.

She sneaks out on a misadventure, “She climbed into the basket, crouched down, and pulled the lid back on.” When she returned home her father is patient but sturdy and her mother helps her learn to be content with what and where she is.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
Jade in this story struggles as she confronts the differences unwillingly placed on her due to her gender. She is unable to leave the inner courts of her home except for a funeral or her own wedding. She sneaks out to learn the walls of her home hide the horrors and beauty of the outside world. The story is vividly detailed in telling the customs, traditions and everyday Korean life during the 1600’s.

As Jade’s aunt Willow proceeds to her wedding Jade gives her a gift. “Following tradition, Jade had covered the front of the purse with bright flowers.” Jade was happy for her they had been together everyday for as long as they could remember, she would miss her.

Jean and Mou-sien Tseng's animated black-and-white drawings are filled with intricate details of the dress and the settings. The faces are full of expression and the clothing is authentic of Korean clothing in the 1600’s.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
BOOKLIST: “In descriptive, engaging prose, the story portrays the culture, traditions, and daily lives of the Korean aristocracy in a time of political and cultural change.”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “The seesaw of the title, a Korean game, forms the climax of this quiet book and the key to Jade's seeing beyond her tightly enclosed world.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “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."”

5. CONNECTIONS
Excellent for grades 4-8, great as a read aloud and entry into the study of historical Korea, diversity and culture.
Other books by Linda Sue Park:

Park, Linda Sue & Banyai, Istvan. TAP DANCING ON THE ROOF: SIJO (POEMS).
ISBN 10: 0-618-23483-7
Park, Linda Sue. PROJECT MULBERRY. ISBN 10: 0-440-42163-2
Park, Linda Sue. A SINGLE SHARD. ISBN 10: 0-395-97827-0