My Name is Yoon

Tanya Vital

My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits

Grade 3

Multicultural

            Have you ever wondered what it felt to be a new kid in school? How about a new kid in a new school in a new country? Well, in the book My Name is Yoon we are going to see what it is like for a student from Korea to come to America.

In the story, My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits, Yoon (aka shinning wisdom)  is new to America and she is about to start going to school. She learns to write her name in English but refuses to do it because she wants to be called “bird”, “cat”, and “cupcake”. The reason is simple because she wants to fit in at her new school. At last she makes friends and accepts her name Yoon.

Characters: Yoon, teacher, mother, father

            Setting: School in America

Problem/Solution: Yoon came over from Korea and didn’t want to be here or write her name in English because in Korea everyone loved her but she feels alone in America.

Resolution: She realize that she is happy with who she is and is able to write her name.

This story is part of the multicultural genre because it deals with the Korean culture and briefly compares is to our American lifestyle. This short story helps show that even the print in Korea is different than our American letters. There is not any stereotyping or omission in this book. Not only does the story line seem positive but it is also accurate. Since the story is simple it expresses valid information about the Korean culture without being stereotypical or inappropriate for young students. All of these facts is why this book would be great to read to students; there is a clear message that is beautifully illustrated. The students are able to learn that we should accept everyone within all different cultures; the more we accept others and our selves the happier this world will be. Lastly, the more diverse our library collection is, the more likely that our students will be multiculturally informed but more accepting of others.