The Yankee Girl: A Korean Girl’s Journey to Find Herself

Kyusun Chung
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 0595412327
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (12/06)

Yuna Park is both an American and a Korean but at times she feels like she is neither.  “The Yankee Girl: A Korean Girl's Journey to Find Herself” is the story of this young lady’s struggle with cultural differences and the desire to belong somewhere.  Yuna must first accept herself.

Yuna came to America as an infant.  She grew up with American culture and knew nothing else.  Yuna is a happy, contented girl.  Then in the fifth grade her father announces that the whole family is returning to Korea for his work.  Yuna is not happy but has no choice.  She is leaving the American culture and going into to what to her is out of the ordinary.

Yuna’s grandmother was firm but gentle in teaching respect and tradition.  At first the young girl was afraid of her grandmother but she came to love and respect her.  “She never missed chances to express her happiness.  One of the great things she told me was to ‘always smile, and things will go better.’ Underneath the composed lady, Grandma was actually a fragile girl, just like me.”

It wasn’t easy for Yuna, she had to learn a language almost foreign to her and cope with other children her age, which can be cruel.  After six years of learning to adjust to life in Korea, her life took another drastic turn; her father decided to move back to America.

Kuna rebelled and fought against the return but the decision had already been made.  Once again she had to adjust to a very different culture.  Yuna wants to fit in; she struggles to find a place for herself in an American culture.  A makeover seems a good idea at first, but soon Yuna learns that it’s better to be true to oneself.  You have to be comfortable with yourself before you can be comfortable with others.

Kyusun Chung has lived the life she speaks of.  She was born in Korea and raised in the states only to make the same moves Yuna makes in the story.  This book speaks of cultural differences but it also speaks of so much more.  This book tells the story of a very wise young lady learning to be comfortable with whom she is.  Yuna learns that it’s okay to be herself.  A very talented young author beautifully writes this story.  The cover is tastefully done and hints at what the reader will discover inside.  I highly recommend “The Yankee Girl: A Korean Girl’s Journey to Find Herself” to teens and older.  There is a lot to be learned from this story.

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