Joan SchoettlerCritiques

Very long story, easily could lose interest fast and wasn't able to track with the story that well. A teacher would have to take reading breaks if sharing this story with their class and students would have a a hard time zoning in on the book.

This was a beautiful and poetic book about a girl's mother being chosen to be a seamstress for the royal household. Throughout the book, the main character works to be chosen as well so that she may see her mother again. This book is good for any age, but if you are reading as a class you should provide some background knowledge for some of the terms and traditions discussed. With that in mind, it does have a good amount of words and is probably best for 2nd and above. This is great for representation.

Ji-su is determined to master the art of sewing bojangi, or Kore - an wrapping cloths, so that she can join her mother as a royal seamstress.

This book has beautiful illustrations and I think it represented the Korean culture well. The book can be difficult for some readers as it incorporates Korean words in the text but can be read at the intermediate level. This book is about a young ji-su girl who lost her mother because she was drafted to live in a palace with other women to work for the kingsman sewing cloths. Because of that, the daughter tries to earn her spot at the palace and find her way back with her mother.

Age: intermediate
Genre: realistic fiction

This book told the story of ji-su, a young girl who has been separated from her mother because her mother has been chosen to be a seamstress at the palace. The only way for ji-su to be reunited with her mom is to learn how to sew a perfect bojagi so that she will also be invited by the king to live at the palace as a seamstress. This would be a great book to read to the class as it shows Korean culture. It is a little long with a lot of words and incorporates some Korean words so it might be harder for youngers to sit still for that long to pay attention. Overall beautiful book and illustrations

This is a pretty cool book about ancient Korea and the various talents that women and girls had during this time. I think it brings out great values of family importance, and working hard for things and people that are important to us. Again, another great book for diversity, culture, history, and values.

The story of young Ji-su in Korea during the time of a monarchy. Ji-su's mother is drafted by the king's man to live at the palace and sew wrapping cloths for the court because of her great skill at sewing. Ji-su decides to earn the craft herself so she will also be able to work at the castle and be with her mother.

The story does not quite match the beauty of the illustrations but a lovely book nonetheless.

Ji-su is a young girl who will soon loose her mother to the Sanguiwon Master. You see, Eomma is the finest seamstress in the land. It is an honor to be able to sew for the Sanguiwon. Eomma made the best bojagi, the King had ever seen. Ji-su's learns to be a seamstress from Gomo. Soon she will be so good that the Sanguiwon Master will love her bojagi and she will see her mother once again. As the seasons come and go Ji-Su practices until her fingers bleed. Finally, the day has come and she can show her best work. The day of the long walk to see her mother has arrived.

This is a wonderful story of determination and tradition. The watercolor illustrations help tell a soft story of family. Young readers will learn Korean culture and language through the eyes of a young girl. In the back of the book readers, teachers and homeschoolers will be able to study the glossary of terms and read the Author's Notes about bojagi and the Joseon Dynasty.