(Clarion, 2006)
What caught my eye first (because I'm so shallow): The cover! I mean, how could I pass up a book cover with a guy (I thought it was a girl at first, but never mind) riding a tiger and pointing an arrow at a shocked-looking boy!!!
Wonderful things about this book: a) Time travel. My first novel is a time-travel. I love it!
b) The main character, Kevin, is Korean-American. I am a huge multi-cultural fan.
c) Quick bit of info for writers here. It's written in close third person. If you want to see how it's done masterfully, study this book.
The story (thanks to Goodreads copywriters): Twelve-year-old Kevin is quietly doing homework when an arrow rudely interrupts his studies. The surprises escalate when this ordinary kid realizes that the offending archer is Chu-mong, an ancient Korean king who has catapulted through time, and that history will be changed unless the errant monarch can be returned the past. A believable time-travel story by a Newbery Medal winner.
Yup, folks: this has action (arrows, leaping into a tiger's den at the zoo), humor (King Chu-mong thinks cars are powered by dragons), and heart. Meeting Chu-mong brings Kevin closer to his Korean ancestry. He gains a greater appreciation of his own dad in the process. It's a swift read, and would be suitable for 4th graders and above, particularly those interested in other cultures and history.
Well, it's a wrap. It's good to be back among you. If you want to know what I've been up to vacationwise, the story is on my other blog, The Year of Writing Dangerously.
This sounds great, thanks Mike! I'm a bit of an Asian-o-phile, so I would probably love this.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back! I've seen this at the library (and agree, the cover is fascinating). One or both of my kids has read it, but I have not. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteGosh, that's funny. I always thought it was a girl on the cover too. I've shelved this book many times but never read it. Thanks for the recommendation, Michael. Time travel - yes!
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