If It Hadn't Been for Yoon Jun [Paperback]

Marie G. Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Adopted as a baby, 12-year-old Alice Larsen is of Korean heritage but feels 100% American. Then Yoon Jun, a Korean immigrant, moves to her small Minnesota town, and Alice's parents start pressuring her to make friends with the strange new boy as a way to get in touch with her heritage. Alice resists--what would her friends think? Anyway, she's American. But when she and Yoon Jun are assigned to work together on a school project, she learns about KoreaIand about doing the right thing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lee ( Finding My Voice ) mixes the issues of racial intolerance and ethnic pride with the otherwise typical seventh-grade angst of Alice Larsen, a Korean-born Minnesotan. Adopted as an infant, she feels totally American, and resists her father's efforts to interest her in her Korean background. The only Asian at school, she's also a cheerleader and the object of a handsome athlete's attentions. Then Yoon Jun, a new classmate from Korea, arrives, and Mr. Larsen gently pressures Alice to befriend him. Alice doesn't like any reminder that she's adopted, and she also fear that any association with Yoon Jun could ruin her popularity. Lee adroitly contrasts blatant prejudice (through the cruel taunts of a school bully and his equally ignorant father) with Alice's less vocal snobbery toward anyone "different," including Julie, a Native American. Alice's turnaround is well handled and instructive; she's a character readers will understand and recognize. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- In a novel reminiscent of Gogol's Vatsana's Lucky New Year (Lerner, 1992), seventh-grader Alice Larsen wants to deny her Korean ancestry. Adopted as a baby by a Minnesota family, she is a happy, popular cheerleader. When another Korean, Yoon Jun Lee, begins attending Bainer Junior High, Alice thinks he is weird. Then he becomes her partner for International Day. Together they prepare a report about Korea to give to students and parents, accompanied by samples of Mrs. Lee's cooking. Alice's interest in her heritage is piqued, and Yoon Jun becomes a friend, especially after he pushes her out of the path of a speeding car. While the concept here is worthy, the narrative is flawed. The characters are stereotypes; the language is cliched and downright dull. There is also a somewhat heavy-handed treatment of Native Americans. --Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380723476
• ISBN-13: 978-0380723478
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book for anyone with adopted kids, February 15, 2001

By 

n.b. (Minneapolis, mn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If It Hadn't Been for Yoon Jun (Paperback)

IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR YOON JUN is an engaging read for kids, while at the same time, it provides reassurance for kids who are adopted. It tackles touchy subjects w/humor and warmth. A good way to start a serious discussion.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars on recommended reading list, June 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: If It Hadn't Been for Yoon Jun (Paperback)

I started reading this book bec. it was on a recommended reading list--now I've bought copies for nieces and nephews. It's a really great book about identity, making snap judgements, and how hard it is to fit in, even for people who seem popular.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If it hadn't been for yoon jun, March 10, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: If It Hadn't Been for Yoon Jun (Paperback)

If it hadn't been for Yoon Jun

The Title of this book is If It Hadn't Been for Yon Jun, it's based in a boy that came from Korea and that his family doesn't know anybody in the United States because it's their first time in the United States.
When they went to church they meet Alice's parents and they started talking, Alice's parents invited them for dinner, so they told Alice that they had invited them for dinner and Alice said it was ok with her and the next day Alice went to school and she saw that there was a new kid at school, his name was Yoon Jun he was always looking at her, Alice friends told her that he liked her because he was always looking at her, she went home and when she got home her parents told her that they knew what the name of the boy was Alice says happy what is his name and her parents say Yoon Jun,
Alice says that he cant come over for dinner because he goes to her school, and then Alice told them that he does at lunch is stare at her and Alice told them that he is a nerd and that she doesn't want him over for dinner and her mom told her that she is going to talk to her dad and that she is going to she what she can do and see if she can cancel the dinner.
I liked this book because it helped me to treat other people the same not because they are from other countries and I figured out that if I hang out with other kids from other countries they might actually be pretty fun to be with.