--- product_id: 1387233 title: "When My Name Was Keoko: A Moving Historical Fiction Novel about a Korean Family's Courage During World War II for Kids (Ages 10-12)" price: "R415" currency: ZAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/1387233-when-my-name-was-keoko-a-moving-historical-fiction-novel store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # When My Name Was Keoko: A Moving Historical Fiction Novel about a Korean Family's Courage During World War II for Kids (Ages 10-12) **Price:** R415 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** When My Name Was Keoko: A Moving Historical Fiction Novel about a Korean Family's Courage During World War II for Kids (Ages 10-12) - **How much does it cost?** R415 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/1387233-when-my-name-was-keoko-a-moving-historical-fiction-novel) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them—even their names—are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden. When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the greatest shock of all comes when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war. Review: Linda Sue Park is on my favorite author list - Linda Sue Park is now on my favorite author list. Park uses alternates between Sun-Hee's and her brother's, Tae-Yul, POV during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. While watching their parents, uncle, and other adults in their lives, Sun-Hee and Tae-Yul still see the world as children and ask many questions. They've known they are Korean, but have only lived with the Japanese Occupation. Sun-Hee knows there are secrets to keep away from Japanese ears, but struggles to understand the struggles the family is going through. This book is written as a middle-grade novel, but YA and adults will enjoy this book as well. Linda Sue Park is descriptive in her writing, and she brings the characters, Korea, and its customs to life. For readers who know little about Korea before and during the WWll, When My Name was Keoko will spark an interest in learning more. Review: Easy to read book on Korea pre and during WWII though the voices of a brother and sister - I purchased the book for my grandchildren but read it first so we could discuss it after they had read it. I think they will enjoy the story; it is easy to read and is told in both the sister and brother's voices in each chapter. It provides a good, easy to understand, if limited, idea of Korea prior to and during WWII. Courage is portrayed in different ways by all the characters and will provide many opportunities to discuss with your young reader the meaning of courage, family unity, obligations to family and community and how easy it is to misunderstand someone and their intentions if we rely only on our assumption of them. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #33,759 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #13 in Children's Asia Books #15 in Customs & Traditions Social Sciences #39 in Children's Historical Fiction on Military & Wars | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 755 Reviews | ## Images ![When My Name Was Keoko: A Moving Historical Fiction Novel about a Korean Family's Courage During World War II for Kids (Ages 10-12) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815SyUPN8lL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Linda Sue Park is on my favorite author list *by B***A on November 14, 2021* Linda Sue Park is now on my favorite author list. Park uses alternates between Sun-Hee's and her brother's, Tae-Yul, POV during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. While watching their parents, uncle, and other adults in their lives, Sun-Hee and Tae-Yul still see the world as children and ask many questions. They've known they are Korean, but have only lived with the Japanese Occupation. Sun-Hee knows there are secrets to keep away from Japanese ears, but struggles to understand the struggles the family is going through. This book is written as a middle-grade novel, but YA and adults will enjoy this book as well. Linda Sue Park is descriptive in her writing, and she brings the characters, Korea, and its customs to life. For readers who know little about Korea before and during the WWll, When My Name was Keoko will spark an interest in learning more. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy to read book on Korea pre and during WWII though the voices of a brother and sister *by C***A on November 7, 2013* I purchased the book for my grandchildren but read it first so we could discuss it after they had read it. I think they will enjoy the story; it is easy to read and is told in both the sister and brother's voices in each chapter. It provides a good, easy to understand, if limited, idea of Korea prior to and during WWII. Courage is portrayed in different ways by all the characters and will provide many opportunities to discuss with your young reader the meaning of courage, family unity, obligations to family and community and how easy it is to misunderstand someone and their intentions if we rely only on our assumption of them. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park *by S***. on March 3, 2009* This is the story of five years in the life of a Korean family during the Japanese occupation of their homeland at the beginning of WWII. They were determined to maintain their Korean identity under the noses of the Japanese soldiers who intended to destroy their nation. All Koreans were forced to adopt Japanese names--hence the title: Kim Sun-hee became Keoko during this time. Set in Korea from 1940 to 1945, the story is told alternately by the 10-year old daughter and her 13 year old brother. There are elements of stifled celebration, pathos, great courage, suspense and a satisfying ending. The author's note is informative. Portions of the story come from her own family, and she recounts other examples of Japanese domination of the Korean people. She also includes a bibliography for further reading. I really liked the book (and I am an old lady!). It's a piece of history that I knew nothing about--I have the impression that the Japanese were trying to do to Korea what Germany tried to do the the Jews! It's worthwhile reading for higher elementary grades and above. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/1387233-when-my-name-was-keoko-a-moving-historical-fiction-novel](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/1387233-when-my-name-was-keoko-a-moving-historical-fiction-novel) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-08-17*