94 pages • 3 hours read
Linda Sue ParkA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Tae-yul is excelling in training. He is physically fit and mentally strong. However, he worries about what war will be like once he must actually kill US soldiers—who, ironically, are fighting to free Korea. He receives the package from home, but soldiers searched all of the contents and stole the food. Still, he enjoys the notes from his family, and nearly cries after Abuji’s simple message of thanks. Back on duty, Tae-yul’s unit must serve meals to the commanding officers—a rotating duty for all trainees. During dinner, he overhears the officers talking about a secret mission that involves Korean recruits. Tae-yul smiles, knowing that he is doing exactly what Sun-hee has done for so long when cleaning the table for him, Uncle, and Abuji. The next day, the commander asks the Korean unit for volunteers to go on a mission of “ultimate sacrifice” (164). Tae-yul confidently offers his loyalty, and impresses everyone.
The family receives a second letter from Tae-yul. He writes concisely, vaguely mentioning that the Emperor has selected him for an important mission that will utilize his previous experience in the “Japanese Youth Air Corps.” Sun-hee thinks about it, and after reading between the lines, guesses that Tae-yul is training to become a kamikaze pilot.
By Linda Sue Park
7th-8th Grade Historical Fiction
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Asian American & Pacific Islander...
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Community
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Japanese Literature
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Juvenile Literature
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Korean Literature
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Memorial Day Reads
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Military Reads
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World War II
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