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A Step From Heaven
A Step From Heaven
Author: An Na
When she is five, Young Ju Park and her family move from Korea to California. During the flight, they climb so far into the sky she concludes they are on their way to Heaven, that Heaven must be in America. Heaven is also where her grandfather is. When she learns the distinction, she is so disappointed she wants to go home to her grandmother. Tr...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780142500279
ISBN-10: 0142500275
Publication Date: 1/13/2003
Pages: 160
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 20

3.9 stars, based on 20 ratings
Publisher: Penguin Group
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Minehava avatar reviewed A Step From Heaven on + 817 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Oh's appropriately girlish voice and measured reading bring to life Young Ju, quiet heroine of debut novelist Na's dark tale of a family of Korean immigrants, which just won the ALA's Printz Award for teenage literature. At age four, Young Ju is not happy to be leaving her Korean home and loving Halmoni (grandmother) to move with her parents to Mi Gook (America), believed to be the land of great promise. Through Young Ju's experiences, listeners hear the family unravel as difficulties mount for them in the States. Young Ju's parents struggle with several low-paying jobs, handicapped by their language barrier. Young Ju's alcoholic and bitter father abuses his wife and children and forbids Young Ju to socialize with American friends. And when her father crosses a frightening line in his cruelty, Young Ju bravely takes action that sets her mother, younger brother and herself on the path to yet another new life in America. Oh's characterization, which realistically captures this powerful contemporary story and gives authentic crispness to Korean words and phrases, will keep you in its grip.
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reviewed A Step From Heaven on + 39 more book reviews
This is a great book. It really makes you feel fortunate for the life you have.
reviewed A Step From Heaven on + 19 more book reviews
Compelling story of a Korean family's struggles to become American, yet stay Korean. It would have been a very sad book if the characters hadn't overcome their adversity.


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