I would suggest this book for upper elementary grades as it deals with death and has violence. This book is about a young homeless orphan named Tree-Ear and how he longs to be a potter. He secretly watches his mentor Min sculpt. Tree- Ear is faced with many decision that weigh heavily on his conscious. He has many people counting on him and must face a long journey to prove himself and his mentor worthy of a royal commission. 

I would use this as a way to explore Korean culture. Students would locate North and South Korea on a map and research fun facts about Korea. Students would write about their findings and make a short power point presentation about their research. 

Lextile Level : 920L

This is an enchanting adventure that kids are sure to love. There is magic, talking animals, danger, friendship, and by the end Raffa realizes that choices (and people) are not always what they seem to be. The plot is unresolved at the end (which makes sense because this is a trilogy), but all three books are already released so it's easy to continue with Raffa's adventure.

Highly recommended to students in grades 4 and up, fans of fantasy, magic, and adventure.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job.

I've tried to read this several times but never made it all the way through until now. And even then it was iffy whether I'd finish or not. It's definitely one of the more intense MG novels I've read (though that mostly comes from outside knowledge of WWII rather than the novel itself).

Not that the book is one giant ball of sunshine. I mean,

The beginning zips by pretty quickly, and it's hard to believe that the book covers the span of five years. It's hard to find the ending satisfying knowing the characters aren't that far from the Korean War. The book is well-written historical fiction, but I don't know that I'll ever pick it up again.

I almost gave up on this a couple of chapters in but kept reading because it's so short. I've enjoyed Park's other historical middle grade fiction, and this one is very much the same (A Single Shard is the best, Seesaw Girl is on par with The Kite Fighters): a slice of life in historical Korea.

South Sudan, 1983

Eleven year old Salva was in school listening to the teacher ramble on about the Arabic language when the worst thing that you could imagine came to life. "Everyone, DOWN," shouted his teacher. Gunfire. "They're here," the teacher screamed with a tone that was filled with fear. "Go into the bush, NOW! Whatever you do, do NOT run home!" he spat at them as loud as he possibly could.

    What should I do, run as far as my puny legs can carry me or run home and try to find my family? If I go look for my family I could be killed, but if I don't I will never see them again. Salva ran into the bush, as far as his little legs could carry him. He found almost his whole town inside a ring of trees. He ran to them, they where sorting through people. "You go with the men, you go with the men, you little scrawny boy" - me? Replied Salva. "Yes you, go with the women." He didn't want to argue so he ran over to the women. "Why are you here?" one asked. "The commander told me too." Salva replied.

     They walked, until they thought there knees where going to bust. "We can stop here" one woman said. Salva instantly felt a rush of relief flow over him. They stopped at an old barn, they stayed for the night. It was a long and hard sleepless night. When he woke up he thought he was still in a nightmare. Nobody was there, they all left. He was shocked. He waddled outside and found an old ladies house. She was from his tribe; Dinka. She helped him, she gave him some food. Later, some people where passing by and she sent him off with them.

     At first you could tell that they didn't want Salva, they thought of him as set back. So he was inspired to prove them wrong. Things where going well but food was always scarce. Every now and then people joined his group. Some stayed a while and some left the next day. One day something amazing happened. A boy Salva's age joined his group. At first they didn't talk much to each other, but the day came when a conversation was struck up. After that they became great friends. After months of desperately trying to escape the war something that only with God's help could've happened. "Salva, is that you," He heard a familiar voice say. "Salva?" He heard again. "Who's there," he asked. "Wait, Uncle, is that you?"  He questioned. "Yes it's me, Salva." Uncle answered back. Salva was so happy that he was reunited with his Uncle. He asked his Uncle if he knew where his family was, but his Uncle was hoping that Salva knew. 

     Salva and his best friend where like brothers, they where always together. Salva's group walked for almost a whole day until they decided to stop. Salva was so tired that he collapsed to the ground and instantly fell asleep. When he woke he heard the people crying. "What's wrong," he asked. A lion came during the night, he took Salva's best friend. Salva had no words. Life wasn't even worth living anymore to him.

     At last they arrived. After years of walking. After years of barely living, they had successfully made it to the refugee camp. Although he got little food, it was a feast compared to the last few years. After a few years of being at the refugee camp in Ethiopia they where chased out. The government didn't know they where going to live there, their government didn't have any more money. They pushed to the Gilo river. They where shooting at us, we had no choice but to swim across. The crocodiles where getting people left and right, so where the soldiers shooting at us. Somehow I made it across, I never in a billion years would've thought that I would be one of a few that would make it.

     Salva set off for Kenya. Salva didn't realize it but crowds of boys where following him. He was there leader. He took after his Uncle, who had been his old group's leader a long time ago. Salva misses his Uncle who was brutally murdered by the Nuer tribe. Salva had encourage the boys each day by telling them; "Just take one more step, just make it through this day." He told them that each day for a year and a half. 

     A year and a half it had taken them to get to the refugee camp. They had set off with 1500 boys and had arrived with 1200 boys. Salva was a great leader. 

     After living in the refugee camp for quite a while something nearly impossible happened, they where sending people to America to have a better life. Salva waited and waited. He waited so long that he didn't even check the list anymore. His friend ran up to him saying "Salva, you're on the list!" He took training on the English language and learned some things like; what a light switch is. He soon took off for America.

     You can read the book to find out how his life in America went and all the other important moments during his life that I left out. Plus find out what he did to help the other Sudanese people. It's a short and an amazing book. 

I recommend this book to people who like; realistic fiction, a thriller, cliff hanger, and an eye opening on reality.

Sorry my report was so long, it just flowed out of me.... my fingers hurt.

P.S. thanks for taking the time to read my report too. :)