Author Biography

Ginger Park is the award-winning co-author of five children's books including My Freedom Trip: A Child's Escape from North Korea and Goodbye, 382 Shin Dang Dong. She is the recipient of the IRA Children's Book Award, the Paterson Prize, the Joan G. Sugarman Award, IRA-CBC Teachers' Choice Award, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and many others. When she's not writing, you can find her having fun at her chocolate shop in Washington, DC.

Review

"A fantastic middle-grade historical novel that takes place during World War II and the tumultuous years leading up to the Korean War, set on the Korean Peninsula. Drawn from stories of the author's family, The Hundred Choices Department Store is a richly detailed book that chronicles a harrowing era in Korean history. This book does a great job of illustrating the hard choices so many families had to makestay in a familiar place that has been turned upside down and face danger at the hands of people who had once been allies or venture into the unknown. This is a wonderfully written, heart-wrenching tale of family and resilience." Meg Wessell, A Bookish Affair
"History and heart intertwine in this gripping, deeply felt novel about a divided family in a divided country. As World War II comes to a close in northern Korea, Miyooki must confront external danger--occupying Russian soldiers, vicious border patrolsand internal doubt and grief to find her true place in a changing land. This book sings of the beauties of an old way of lifeand of hope and possibility." Mary Quattlebaum, author of Pirate vs. Pirate
"In this gripping, poignant novel by Ginger Park, a Korean family is torn apart by Japanese and Russian rule during World War II and sacrificial love, yet held together by faith, food, and memories. Miyook's family owns a bustling department store in the city of Sinuiju in northern Korea, but communism forces her family to leave everything behind to escape over mountains and a river to freedom in the south. On her journey, Miyook learns that small gestures are never forgotten. I love this story." Tina Cho, author of The Ocean Calls and Rice from Heaven
"How do you tell a tale of war, the separation of family and country, of heroes and villains, and make it sound like poetry? Ginger Park has woven a beautiful and heartbreaking story of Korea in the 20th century in The Hundred Choices Department Store . Her details of food and family traditions are as heartwarming as a bowl of steamy homemade noodles. The novel is an excellent introduction to life in Korea during World War II and the civil war that followed. A beautiful book." Kitty Felde, author of Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza and State of the Union: A Fina Mendoza Mystery
"This beautifully written, heart-wrenching coming-of-age story speaks to the enduring power of familial bonds and the resiliency of the human spirit. As her world is destroyed by tyranny, subjugation and agonizing separation, Miyook learns that a small act of kindness can have enormous consequences. The heightened pathos of deftly crafted scenes will inspire empathy and compassion for the plight of refugees. A riveting, timely, humanizing account of risking everything for freedom." Jama Rattigan, author of Dumpling Soup

Long Description

It's 1944. The Pangs own The Hundred Choices Department Store, a thriving business in northern Korea that caters to wealthy Japanese. Thirteen-year-old Miyook Pang has spent two years serving in the war effort on behalf of Japan during the Japanese Occupation of her country. Miyook endures exhaustion and illness, but only when she is sent to work in the dreaded dye factory - a place deemed Hell's Chamber by her older brother, Hoon - does she experience spiritual death. It is here where she meets Song-ho, an orphaned boy, and unbeknownst to her, the brief encounter will prove fateful. When Japan loses the war, Russian soldiers capture her beloved hometown and The Hundred Choices Department Store, leaving the city in ruin. With the Korean War looming, Miyook must take a dangerous flight south, across the 38th parallel now guarded by the newly formed North Korean Army. Here, once again, she encounters Song-ho, an event that will change the course of her life.

Review Quote

"In this gripping, poignant novel by Ginger Park, a Korean family is torn apart by Japanese and Russian rule during World War II and sacrificial love, yet held together by faith, food, and memories. Miyook's family owns a bustling department store in the city of Sinuiju in northern Korea, but communism forces her family to leave everything behind to escape over mountains and a river to freedom in the south. On her journey, Miyook learns that small gestures are never forgotten. I love this story." --Tina Cho, author of The Ocean Calls and Rice from Heaven

Description for Sales People

GREAT FOR MG/YA READERS OF HISTORICAL FICTION: This book will appeal to those who are interested in North-South Korea. AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Ginger Park has written four novels for children and her awards include: IRA Children's Book Award (International Reading Association's Children's Book Award); Paterson Prize for Books for Young People; Joan G. Sugarman Award for Children's Literature; IRA-CBC Teachers' Choice Award; Notable Books for a Global Society Award; Parents' Choice Award, Choices; Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Award, ChoicesNCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book For Young People; Children's Literature Book Award; Capitol Choices Book Award, Bank Street College Book Award; A Junior Library Guild Selection; "Book of the Month" Pick by Rutgers University Project on Economic and Children; Rutger's University "Top Five" Book Award.FOOD HOOK: A myriad of exotic foods are mentioned throughout the book will likely find a place on the book club meeting table pairing well with wine and tea.PLENTY OF ACTION AND ADVENTURE: The protagonist, Miyook, struggles to survive in the face of Russian occupation.STRONG FEMALE PROTAGONIST: Thirteen-year-old Miyook is a character who will win the hearts of readers of all ages.

Details