Seesaw Girl

Review of Seesaw Girl

A. Book Information

Park, Linda Sue. Illus. by Tseng, Mou-Sien and Jean. 1999. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0-395-91514-7.

B. Plot Summary

Young 12 year-old Jade Blossom spends all her days and nights in the Inner Court of the House of Han, the home of her aristocratic family. This story takes place in Seoul, Korea during the 1600’s, the Chosan period. During this time Korean women of noble birth were only allowed to leave their homes to wed and join their husband’s family’s home, at which time she would be confined to that household. Jade Blossom has a deep curiosity and wants to know what is on the outside. When her 15 year old friend and aunt leaves to marry the curiosity and longing to see her best friend becomes too much. She devises a plan to sneak away in a cart destined to the local market. After being caught she misses the spectacular views and fashions a Korean seesaw in her family’s garden so that she can catch glimpses of the distant landscape she longs for.

C. Critical Analysis

Linda Sue-Park has created an important novel- this book captures a part of history that may be unbelievable to today’s generation. It is thought-provoking as the reader imagines being in young Jade Blossom’s place- trapped in every aspect, unable to read, draw, or travel, she clings to her dreams as she catches glimpses of the distant mountains from her improvised seesaw.

The setting of this book is in Seoul, Korea during the Choson period. There are many cultural markers such as the traditional names- Jade Blossom and Graceful Willow, the food- kimchee, and the traditions of respect- “The groom bent his knees slowly until they touched the ground, then lowered his forehead to the ground. Willow finished her bows in a seated pose, with her forehead like-wise on the ground. She was required to bow twice as many times as the groom to signify the weaker position of the woman,” (p. 21). We are also introduced to the importance of clean clothes to this upper-class family as young Jade Blossom has to take apart clothes at the seams during each washing to get the garments clean.

The wedding ceremony, traditional dress, and customs are incorporated into this book as Graceful Willow marries, “Her long red silk skirt flowed...her hair was twisted into an elaborate bun…and intricate wedding headdress rested atop her head. Her face had been powdered until it was as white as paper, her kohl-drawn eyebrows arched delicately, and her lips were stained ruby-red,” (p. 16).

In the author’s notes we learn historical background information about Korea’s isolation policy. Korea was known as the “hermit kingdom” and it wasn’t until 1882 when Korea began accepting foreign visitors upon signing treaties with the Western world. In the novel, during her escape young Jade Blossom sees some captured men, her description of them shows historical accuracy as a young Korean girl would have never seen a white man before, “The prisoners looked like no men she had ever seen. They had red faces, with eyes that seemed to have no color at all and noses that protruded like beaks of birds. Several had what seemed to be yellow or brown sheep’s wool on their cheeks and chinds; a few had hair—it must have been hair, for it covered the top of their heads—but how could it be hair? For it was the color of straw,” (p. 40). The author explains that this encounter in the book has some historical basis, when Dutch Sailors were detained in Korea from 1653 to 1666.

This book is well-written, with much research having been completed by the author. It may just spark the curiosity of the young reader and encourage them to find out more about this period of history.

D. Review Excerpts

From Publishers Weekly
This first novel set in 17th-century Korea centers on 12-year-old Jade Blossom, daughter of one of the king's advisers. With all the temerity of a 1990s girl, Jade plays tricks on her brother (with the help of her cousin Willow), and her yearning to see the world outside of her family's walled household ultimately leads her into trouble. She conceals herself in a basket on market day and catches her first glimpse of the mountains as well as a group of imprisoned Dutch sailors, whom she describes as wearing what looks like "yellow or brown sheep's wool on their cheeks and chins." Park manages to get across many of society's restrictions on girls and women, but often relies on telling rather than showing. For example, Jade says how much her view of the mountains affects her, yet she never describes what it is about the vista that moves her. Readers gain little insight into Jade's relationship with other members of her household or her daily routine. Though the novel glosses over the meaning of the Dutch sailors' appearance, a closing author's note helps to put it into context. Fortunately, Jean and Mou-sien Tseng's animated black-and-white drawings fill in many details missing in the text concerning dress and setting. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Life in 17th-century Korea is not easy for a girl, even for the daughter of a wealthy family. Jade Blossom must learn to do the laundry, sew the clothes back together after each washing, help in the kitchen, and embroider flawlessly. Her world is circumscribed by the walls of the Inner Court where she will spend her life until she marries and then will be confined to the Inner Court of her husband's household. However, when her aunt and best friend since childhood gets married, Jade is determined to see her again. Park maintains a fine tension between the spirited girl's curiosity and her very limited sphere. Certainly Jade looks for opportunities to expand her horizons, but after her first disastrous foray to see Willow, she learns that those chances have to come within the walls of her own home. The story is full of lively action and vivid descriptions, enhanced by appealing black-and-white paintings, to give a clear sense of the period and reveal the world as Jade sees it. Even the minor characters have substance. The girl's parents are understanding but not indulgent. Her father is a thoughtful man, distant from the family, but looking at the possibilities for the future of his country. Her mother recognizes Jade's longings and shows her that it is possible to be content with her life. Like Jade's stand-up seesaw, Park's novel offers readers a brief but enticing glimpse at another time and place.

Accessed at:

http://www.amazon.com/Seesaw-Girl-Linda-Sue-Park/dp/0440416728/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2916387-4513423?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183845032&sr=8-1

E. Connections

Other books for young people by Linda Sue-Park.

· When My Name Was Keoko. ISBN 0440419441

· The Kite Fighters. ISBN 0440418135

· The Firekeeper's Son. ISBN 0618133372