My Name is Yoon

Author: Helen Recorvits

In this beautiful picture book, Yoon, a little girl who has just immigrated from Korea, is having difficulty adjusting to her new life in America. Through first-person narrative, the reader meets a confused little girl whose father tells her that she has to learn to write her name in English. She does not like the way that her name looks written in English, and prefers its appearance in Korean. Though Yoon's name means, "Shining Wisdom" in Korean, she struggles to accept that her name, when written in English, could maintain its meaning. The challenge of accepting her English name underscores her struggle with accepting a new life in a new country. Helen Recorvits' lovely words and Gabi Swiathkowaska's gorgeous illustrations present a story of assimilation that immigrant children often face in a new country. This book can be read aloud and also as a prompt for classroom discussions of identity and related issues.

My Name Is Yoon

Year Released: 2003

Grades K-3