The Name Jar

This is a really cute book. My daughters love it, they love the concept and had no idea what to expect in the end. (Girls ages: 8 & 7).

This past week my daughter asked to be "The girl from The Name Jar" for Halloween. That speaks volumes to me as a Mom because she is finding strength in something other than the mainstream.

It is a Must have for my kids bookshelf and will hopefully be a great thing to read for years to come!

Names always have meanings, the meanings draw you to your heritage. In this case, images of Korea as opposed to the current trend of tattoo friendly American names tied to vague values: Faith, Charity and Hope to us all.

Names always have meanings, the meanings draw you to your heritage. In this case, images of Korea as opposed to the current trend of tattoo friendly American names tied to vague values: Faith, Charity and Hope to us all.

The Name Jar deals with a situation that many young Asian children consider: to adopt an "American" name, or to continue using their given name, with the fear that people will not pronounce it properly. Unhei does not tell anyone her name when she starts her new school. Instead, she puts a jar on her desk and encourages her classmates to fill it with names, and she will pick one to go by. The story is about learning to embrace your culture, even when it's different from the dominant culture. The illustrations are cute and the story is powerful. I'm very happy to have this book in my classroom as a tool to teach students to be aware of the importance of a name.

This is a story about someone being different and having a different name from a different country. This is a story about being embarrassed and teased for having a different name. A beautifully illustrated story and it’s a little bit on the longer side so it’s recommended for children over the age of 7. If read to children under 7, maybe read in two different segment.

Maria Dismondy, author of Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are

Clutching the small wooden block with the characters of her Korean name carved into it, Unhei worries about being accepted and fitting in at her new school and new country. When she finds that the children have difficulty pronouncing her name, she decides to pick a new American name. Sensing her difficulty in choosing a name, Unhei's classmates create a name jar with suggestions for her. Finally, with the help of a new friend, she not only chooses a name that reflects her heritage and culture but also inspires her classmates to better understand cultural differences and similarities.

Yangsook Choi's charming story and illustrations explore issues of assimilation and cultural duality faced by immigrant children and their American classmates. It could well serve as the basis for classroom discussions of these issues and would be a welcome addition to class libraries.

Yangsook (Rachel) Choi has written AND illustrated another illuminating book. Unhei has moved from South Korea with her family to America; she has brought her clothes, bags, and a name "chop" stamp from her grandmother. Her schoolmates cannot pronounce her name on the bus, so she doesn't reveal her name to her classmates. Is it good to be different? Should she embrace her difference? In America she can still eat seaweed and kimchi; she can shop at Kim's Market and Fadil's Falafel. But maybe a name of Amanda, Miranda, Daisy, or Tamela would be better than Unhei (Yoon-hye). The kids at school put name suggestions in a jar on her desk, but on the day she will choose her name, the jar has disappeared. Who took it? What will Unhei decide to do? Did Mr. Cocotos her teacher have a hand in this? Will all the kids want to choose a new name? A must read for every elementary school.

Unhei is starting school in America. Although she has a lovely Korean name that means "grace," she thinks maybe she would like a more American sounding name. Her classmates make a name jar and offers suggestions. This story is affirming of the multicultural experience. When Unhei complains about her name, saying that she doesn't want to be different, her mother counters, "You are different, Unhei....That's a good thing!" Choi superbly illustrates her own story. The characters, though simply painted, have expressive faces.

Excellent piece of literature that addresses the emotional impact of change. The Name Jar pulls at the core of American assimilation and a loss of individuality to appease the intolerance of differences. Unhei must adjust to a new country, culture, school, and classmates, while she finds the transition from Korea to America difficult.