Product Description

In the days when only wealthy Korean children are allowed to attend school, a poor boy named Song-ho learns by listening outside a schoolroom door, which eventually earns him a chance to better himself and make life easier for his widowed mother.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #80131 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781563978678
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
The Park sisters once again look back to their Korean roots for inspiration, but this time they undermine the suspense employed to such strong effect in their debut, My Freedom Trip. Song-ho, a sangmin boy, performs household chores dressed in rags while the privileged yangban dress in finery, attend school and compete in the Royal Bee at the Governor's palace. One day, Master Min catches Song-ho eavesdropping at the schoolroom door. When Song-ho asks the master if he can become his pupil, learn to read and write and thus "earn a good living for his mother," the man dismisses the boy. Readers may be confounded when a turn of the page reveals an abrupt about-face; the story line plants Song-ho firmly inside the classroom where he is inexplicably accepted into the school ("After each yangban pupil in the classroom had tested Song-ho, Master Min spoke: 'Welcome to the Sodang School, Song-ho' "). This clumsy transition at the plot's pivotal point cuts into the credibility and flow of the tale. A similar narrative leap omits the boy's climb to the top of the class and his peers' growing respect, which results in their selecting him as representative of the school for the Royal Bee competition. Rendered in oil paints on board, Zhong-Yuan Zhang's (Moon Festival) inconsistent paintings intermittently depict characters as blurred or wooden, yet successfully convey the likable hero's sincerity and determination. Ages 6-9. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Inspired by the childhood experiences of the authors' grandfather in the late 19th century, this moving story tells about a poor Korean boy who perseveres in getting an education, thereby raising himself and his mother out of poverty. Drawn away from his household chores by the sound of the school bell in the valley, Song-ho is told by the master that only the privileged yangban children may attend. Each day, however, the boy listens outside the door. One cold morning, the kind master invites him in. Successfully answering the pupils' study-based questions, Song-ho is not only allowed to join the school, but is also selected later to represent it in The Royal Bee, where the best student in the land is determined. His final answer to "What does winning The Royal Bee mean to you?" brings him a standing ovation and the winner's rewards. This simply and eloquently told tale is well paired with large, bold oil-paint-on-board illustrations. The soft earth-tone palette brightens to capture the excitement of The Royal Bee at the Governor's palace. A fine work portraying the culture of a Korea 100 years ago.
Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
A hunger for knowledge to improve his lot and that of his mother prompts a young Korean boy to take a bold step in this tale that was inspired by the young life of the authors grandfather. Song-ho is a peasant boy in the late days of the Korean monarchy and he lives an impoverished life. His fisherman father is dead and his widowed mother must toil in the fields for a scant portion of grain. A school bell tolls deep in a neighboring valley, calling children of the well-to-do to school, a music that Song-ho understands as a ticket out of his family's dire circumstances. He boldly asks the master if he might attend the academy, is turned away, but hovers near the door to listen in. Eventually, the kind-hearted master acknowledges Song-hos presence and he is given a place in the class. Applying and proving himself, he wins the acceptance of his peers and takes first-place honors at the annual Royal Bee. Here, not only his intelligence shines, but his goodness and honesty as well. The low-key decency and the appealing strength of his humility make Sung-ho a strong character and more than just a do-good fabrication. Zhang's rich, exotic oils spread across two pages and are trimmed in a pale yellow line, giving them the look of paintings hanging on the wall. Text is set to one side or the other on a white background. The overall effect is stately and majestic, lending a sense of solemn importance to the story. (Picture book. 6-9)-- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

The Royal Bee is a royal treasure!
This book's underlying issue is the idea that the pursuit of literacy is, consequently, the pursuit of a dream and a way out of poverty. In fact, Song-ho often repeats the phrase, "If I only knew how to read and write..." The message is clear--through persistence, dedication, and with a kind heart, one can achieve anything he or she puts his or her mind to. I believe this book to be very enlightening for children who have difficulties in school, especially if a classroom teacher or parent discusses the book from a critical, socially aware point of view. Illuminate children to the fact that "poor" children are nonetheless very rich in heart and spirit, and are as hopeful as any child. Also point out that even though this book takes place in the nineteenth century, its theme will resonate for any generation. I recommend this book wholeheartedly!

Excellent!
This is a wonderful book about perserverance and teaching children about social justice. I have used it a number of times with students and highly recommend it. So many different ways to use a teacher!

Get this book!
This is a book I use with first graders to introduce the comprehension concepts of questioning, and predicting. They love the rich illustrations. The cover gives no hint as to what the "bee" is. The way their understanding of the story unfolds is wonderful. I highly recommend this book for teachers.