Born in Illinois to Korean immigrant parents, Linda Sue Park has always enjoyed writing poems and stories. With just her third novel, she won the coveted Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. In this program (recorded in October 2005 at C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, VA), moderator Maria Salvadore talks with Ms. Park about her Newbery-winning books A Single Shard, When my Name was Keoko, Seesaw Girl, The Kite Fighters, and Project Mulberry.
Linda Sue Park, the daughter of Korean immigrants, was born and raised in Illinois. An early and avid reader, Park sold her first poem at age nine for the sum of one dollar. Park recalls that the check she received has never been cashed, but remains framed above her father’s desk. With this early encouragement, Park continued to write throughout her school years.
After high school, Park earned a degree in English from Stanford University where she also competed for the gymnastics team. Her
first job after college was doing public relations writing for a major oil company. Though not one of her main interests, Park credits
this job with helping her identify what is interesting about seemingly routine subjects.
Park left this job after two years to study literature in Ireland and met the man that she would marry. They moved to London where
Park worked for an advertising agency and as a food journalist, taught English as a Second Language, and began a family. In 1990, Park, her husband Ben, and their two children returned to the United States. She continued to teach English to foreign students, but also came to the realization that she wanted to write books for young readers.
Park and her family live in upstate New York. In addition to reading and writing, Park reports that she likes to “cook, travel, watch
movies, and do the New York Times crossword puzzles.”
Park’s first novel for young people, Seesaw Girl, was published in 1999. It is the story of Jade, a 12-year old from an aristocratic family in 17th century Korea. Jade’s life is forever changed when she explores beyond her home’s protective walls. Park’s second novel, The Kite Fighters, explores two brothers living in 15th century Korea and their shared passion for kites and kite flying.
A Single Shard was published the following year and was awarded the Newbery Medal, the most prestigious award given annually to
the author of “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” in the United States. It is the story of Treeear, a homeless boy in 12th century Korea who finds a trade and a family. When My Name Was Keoko, published in 2002, is the story of a family in Korea during the Japanese occupation from 1935 to 1945. In addition to her 2005 novel, Project Mulberry, Park has written several picture books that explore Korean history and themes seen in her novels.
Park writes successfully in various genres, sometimes integrating one into another. For example, Firekeeper’s Son is historical fiction in a picture book format; in When My Name Was Keoko one of the main characters writes poetry; and the science of making pottery is incorporated into A Single Shard.
In her work, Park emphasizes universal themes that apply to all of us, often within the context of a specific culture. Whether set in
an early Korea or in contemporary America, Park deals with the importance of family, the desire to remain an individual while fitting in, and the need to remain true to oneself. Park is able to capture the essence of human nature in deft characterizations and engages readers with a touch of humor. Park writes from the perspective of both genders and in fact, alternates between the voices of a brother and sister in …Keoko.
