tag fiction
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The Backbone of the Sports Field
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This volume collects seven stories that turn ordinary daily life into a mystery through marvelous incidents where the sports field at school suddenly turns into a giant one day, household objects transform into animals each night, and the family dog changes into a human being. Solid is the author’s capacity for portraying serious themes in a refreshingly novel and unprecedented manner. After reading these tales, readers will look at familiar sights from a new perspective. 『The Backbone of the Sports Field』: For fun, Eun-ju and her friend dig up the sports field and look for “treasures.” One day, however, the sports field starts to tremble as if there were an earthquake. 『A Kit for Growing Dong-sik』: Dong-sik is a genetically modified companion animal. However, due to insufficient money for feed, the beast is fed unsafe foods. Afterwards, it begins to grow in odd ways. 『Today’s Good Fortune』: While looking for an out-of-the-way restaurant, Min-ji’s family loses the way, only to arrive at strange ruins and to have an extraordinary experience. Will the family be able to reach the restaurant as planned? 『Something Even Better than Lulu』: Entrusted by his mother with money for the family dog’s medical treatment, Hyeon-u ends up spending the hospital fee on a toy robot and even loses the canine. Belatedly realizing his mistake, the boy goes on a search for the dog. 『Good Job, Elephant! 』: When Su-min’s family is asleep at night, animals living in the household appliances jump out. Why have these creatures come out? 『The Fist King』: Gi-cheol takes pains to invite his friends to a party that will be held at his church. This is because the person to invite the most friends will receive an iPad as a prize. Will the boy succeed in his mission? 『What Happened on the Last Night of ‘Honesty Camp』: One by one, animals participating in “Honesty Camp” each reveal secrets. What kinds of secrets would these beasts have been hiding?
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Children, Changbi Books_Children > Fiction_Age 10-13
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The Troublemakers
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Hip-hop has gone beyond popular music and become a culture and a style permeating society at large in South Korea as well. Previously an underground culture ardently supported by specific audiences, the genre has become known to a wider class of people through diverse television programs. In addition, the influence of hip-hop over teenagers including children is even stronger.
To South Korean youths, rappers are more th』an simply entertainers. Going beyond icons of popular culture, they serve as attractive role models, too. In such a reality, an increasing number of children consume and admire hip-hop culture, even choosing it as their career path (already, it is possible to several schools based on one’s capacity as a hip-hop singer). What, then, do grownups think of youngsters’ interest in and passion for the genre? Still perceiving hip-hop as a “lowbrow” culture plagued by roughness, drugs, and profanities, most South Korean adults regard with concern children who are avid fans of the genre. Under such circumstances, The Troublemakers is a book that will prompt readers to overcome prejudices against hip-hop, to affirm youngsters’ interest in and yearning for the genre, and to experience the exhilaration of self-expression through hip-hop.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Children, Changbi Books_Children > Non-fiction
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I Don’t Know. I Just…
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This book realistically portrays the frustration and anger experienced by children due to grownups who scold them repeatedly without even knowing the circumstances. By vividly portraying the process through which the young protagonist makes decisions on his own, undoes his mistakes, and achieves emotional independence, thus learning to overcome emotional pain lightly even after being reprimanded, it presents readers with cheerful and healthy energy.
Seong-jae is often scolded by grownups. He is upbraided by his homeroom teacher for having brought popular character cards to school and for supposedly disliking his seat partner after asking to sit with another classmate on the bus during a field trip. The boy is chided by his mother for tormenting his younger cousin after accidentally hitting the latter boy on the face with a bouncy ball during a game. Though there are reasons and circumstances after all, adults get angry first, without even listening to what Seong-jae has to say. Will the protagonist, thus frustrated by grownups who make communication absolutely impossible, indeed find a way to avoid rebuke?
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Children, Changbi Books_Children > Fiction_Age 8-10
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Flying on Land
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The first collection of works by Jo Hyeon-ju, this volume includes seven unique tales. These stories are noteworthy for depicting adolescents not as passive objects oppressed by school life but as figures with active will and a capacity for praxis, thus conveying healthy and jovial energy to readers. In particular, they make use of novel topics hitherto unaddressed in South Korean young adult prose fiction such as paragliding and scuba diving, thereby expanding teenagers’ spaces outside the home and the school and enabling readers to imagine a new and different kind of joy. The trajectories of oddball protagonists who dream of getting away from daily routines unfold fascinatingly through ingenious narratives, and also notable is the author’s charming sense of humor.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_YA, Changbi Books_YA > Fiction
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Please Come to My House, Too
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This is the latest story for children by Song Eon, who is well known for masterful depictions of youngsters’ minds. It realistically and fascinatingly portrays the process through which “Mr. Beard,” the homeroom teacher of 3rd-grade Class No. 1, and his students get to know one another through frank dialogue. The children in this work, who grow up actively, positively, and resiliently despite wounds deep inside their hearts will leave lasting images in readers’ minds. Storyline
The homeroom teacher of 3rd-grade Class No. 1, “Mr. Beard” sends notices to all of his students’ families in order to receive applications for home visits. He then visits the homes of Gim Han-sol and Jang Geun-ho upon request from their respective families. Han-sol asks the teacher not to tell his parents that he has made trouble at school. As “Mr. Beard” complies with the request, he and the youngster become much closer. After meeting Geun-ho’s parents and younger brother Geun-sik, who has a disability, at their home, the teacher shows more affection to his student. Yi Eun-hye’s mother has been unable to request a home visit due to her busy work schedule. Through a telephone conversation with her about the family situation, “Mr. Beard” comes to a greater understanding of Eun-hye.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Children, Changbi Books_Children > Fiction_Age 10-13
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『First Encounters with Prose Fiction』 Series
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How can adolescents today, who are increasingly distant from books, access literature comfortably? “First Encounters with Prose Fiction” is Changbi’s new prose fiction series that combines outstanding South Korean short stories and a wealth of illustrations. With intriguing yet brief stories that amount to approximately 100 pages each and charming illustrations, this series will encourage even those who are unaccustomed to reading to approach good contemporary works comfortably. In a situation where the bipolarization of youths’ cultural and literary literacy is increasingly serious, it will provide even those who have given up on books with opportunities to like reading and literature once again and will serve as stepping stones from juvenile literature to prose fiction for adults.
1. 『Ramen Noodles Are Great』 written by Gong Seon-ok, illustrated by Gim Jeong-yun
Min-su is dating Yeon-ju without revealing his family’s financial difficulties. In order to buy her a
fancy birthday gift, he starts to work part-time at a convenience store. In the end, even if ramen
noodles are the only things you eat, love is great as long as there is genuine affection…!
2. 『My Painting of Himalayan Cedars』written by Sung Suk-je, illustrated by Kyo Eun
Fonder of soccer than art in his childhood, Baek Seon-gyu has grown up to be a famous painter.
However, he harbors a secret that he has not dared tell anyone. This Bildungsroman earnestly
depicts the absurdity inherent in choices and life itself.
★ Included in South Korean textbooks
3. 『The Camera That Protects Dreams』 written by Kim Jungmi, illustrated by Yi Ji-hui
A-ram takes photographs of a traditional Korean market that is faced with redevelopment. Pledging that she will always watch out for those who undeservedly suffer from hardships, she uses her camera to preserve hope even today. 4. 『The Corn Flight』 written by Bak Sang-gi, illustrated by Jeong-won
After meeting with two consecutive traffic accidents, Hyeon-seong is led by the circumstances to
tell a lie. Once told, the lie increasingly turns into a knot that cannot be untangled. This story deals with the courage to tell the truth. 5. 『Lim Rod』 written by Bae Mi-ju, illustrated by Kim Sae-hee
Hyeon-yeong has been feeling alone ever since her childhood friend Ji-o debuted as a singer.
Although she visits her great aunt in the United States during a school vacation, she cannot stop
thinking about her now distant friend even there. Hearing of the reason for the girl’s sadness, the
grandaunt recounts a tale about Lim Rod. A sensitive story of first love that colored a 16-year-old’s heart then unfolds. 6. 『Bell Peppers on the Green Onion Planet』 written by Bae Myeong-hun, illustrated by
Guk Min-ji
Previously the harmonious home of people from diverse planets, the Green Onion Planet is
suddenly overcast with war clouds. There are problems even with food supply now so that some
receive only meat while others receive only vegetables. Will the Green Onion Planet be able to regain peace?
7. 『Someone’s Heart』 written by Gim Min-nyeong, illustrated by “Pai”
An inconspicuous student, Gang Me-ri creates a sensation by confessing her love to the boys in her class in succession. Now, there are only two boys who have not been told of the girl’s affection. “Me-ri, what exactly are you feelings?” 8. 『The Move』 written by Jeong So-yeon, illustrated by “Blackham”
Together with his family, Ji-hu must move to another planet. Though it is supposedly inevitable, a
measure to treat his ill younger sister Ji-hye, the protagonist is resentful of his parents’ decision. It is because a special dream prevents him from Makiyende, his home planet. This science fiction story presents a novel and glittering world. 9. 『In Praise of Gastronomy』 written by Choe Yang-seon, illustrated by “Siho”
Because of her mother’s worries about the premature onset of puberty, Ji-su must eat only organic foods. Nevertheless, the girl is happy as long as she can have meals in the same space as Ye-chan. She finally musters courage and confesses her love to the boy, but fails to receive any response. “Ye-chan, don’t you like me?”
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_YA, Changbi Books_YA > Non-fiction
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Crossing
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A music flowing out of an old CD takes the protagonist Park Haeun who works for a food factory while taking care of his ill wife back to the past. The song was ‘Rainy season in 1992, in Jongro’ sung by Ha Taesan who said the world should change. Haeun was struck by a thought, after a long period of forgetting literature, to write a novel about the life of Ha Taesan who disappeared all of sudden. Though striving intensively to actualize his idea into reality, he at last gets to the point of thinking about his inner side and the era he has lived He had believed that the world flows regardless of his individual life until 1970s when the waves of the times had an impact on him and decisively the Gwangju massacre took place in 1980. The effect of darkness of the times on each person reminds of the candle demonstration. This story intactly depicts the scenes of the people who poured out to streets with desperation. What remained in between people at life-risking moments were songs. There are ten songs that are referred to in this book, the ones that include desire of people through the turbulent age. Another virtue of this book lies in the latter half. The food factory Haeun works for is operating upon so many irregularities. CCTV rids the workers of a break and relaxation by watching over. The eldest ‘sister’ who is nearly 70 holds a one-man demonstration amid rising matter about unequal salaries, which other colleagues just watch with uncomfortable feelings. While the factory’s director doesn’t even blink an eye, the phrase ‘As you are human, so am I’ that the ‘sister’ wrote on a piece of box moves other people’s hearts. The progress of the demonstration improving in size until everyone joins proves that the more united we are the stronger and portrays that the world is constructed by people.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Adults, Changbi Books_Adults > Collection-short stories
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Almonds
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Almonds will melt the cold in a society incapable of empathy
“A powerful novel that will awaken our capacity for pain and empathy”
Here before our eyes is an intriguing novel, more powerful than films and as gripping as television dramas. Recounting the special growth of a boy who is incapable of recognizing emotions, this engrossing work will pique readers’ curiosity from the first page to the last. In addition, as a novel that will have considerable reverberations in an age that has become insensitive to others’ feelings, it masterfully depicts the process through which the characters form relationships with others and empathize with others’ sadness. The dramatic events that unfold like movie scenes and the captivating style will mesmerize readers immediately. The protagonist of Almonds, Yunjae is a unique character who has difficulty recognizing emotions. Unable to read what lies behind others’ words and actions and to feel fear or anger in earnest, he has barely managed to live “ordinarily.” His mother also drills in him pointers for socially appropriate emotional responses such as laughing when others do so and saying, “Thank you” when others do him a favor. A child who sees and interprets everything literally and is scorned as a “monster,” Yunjae loses his entire family one day in a tragic accident and is left alone in this world. At the moment that he thinks he has lost everything, however, Yunjae encounters new personages in his life. They include: Goni, a child who is scarred by a dark past; Dora, a child who, in contrast, has an unblemished sensibility; and Dr. Sim, who wishes to help the protagonist. The story that unfolds between the hero and these characters will prompt readers to ponder once again on both the sheer difficulty and the invaluableness of understanding others’ feelings. Prose fiction writer Gong Seon-ok has evaluated this work as a “novel that gives hope to people like me, who believe, ‘The heart can rule over the mind’” and stated, “contemporary society may be suffering from a collective inability for emotional expression.” Living without time to mourn loss and to take care of their own emotions, readers will have an opportunity to look back on their hearts as they cheer for Yun-jae. The hero’s calm tone paradoxically is more heart-wrenching, and readers will be able to experience a deep and genuine emotional uplift through this work.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_YA, Changbi Books_YA > Fiction
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The Sunshine Village Apartment Zoo
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The Sunshine Village Apartment Zoo is the story of a child’s growth as he raises animals. Having to spend much of his time alone and feeling lonesome, Jang Mi-o takes his rabbit outside one day, to be unexpectedly showered with attention from his friends. Thinking that raising animals will thus win other people’s love, the boy then comes to grow diverse creatures and to dream of creating a zoo on the veranda of his family’s apartment. Accordingly, he spends considerable money even to acquire a parrot but increasingly lacks the time to care for the small animals because he must earn money to support them. To make matters worse, the bird falls ill so that Mi-o finds himself in the difficult situation of having to shoulder the costly medical expenses. In the end, he realizes and accepts that he is in no situation to take care of animals. Nevertheless, the hero realizes through the apartment zoo creation project that the happiness of the animals themselves is the most important thing and also learns ways to form relationships with others naturally in the process of exchanging opinions with family members and friends. Realistically depicting South Korean children today, who spend little time with their parents and live in conditions where it is difficult to forge relationships with others, the author sensitively portrays Mi-o’s efforts to move on to better circumstances. In the process of watching the protagonist change as they read this volume, youngsters, too, will feel their hearts and minds grow, gradually yet steadily.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Children, Changbi Books_Children > Fiction_Age 8-10
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Detective Neo the Bad Shot
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Neo Duri, a raccoon dog police detective in Momo City, which is populated by animals, is teased as “Detective Neo the Bad Shot” because he has failed to catch Superduperking, a strawberry thief. The town’s hottest topic, the Show Off Your Fur Contest is just around the corner. However, red fox Mio, wont to boast of his luxuriant fur, has his legendary fox comb stolen. To make matters worse, Momo City is hit by an epidemic that leads to hair loss, thus threatening to prevent the contest itself. Though Detective Neo tenaciously follows clues, determined to rid himself of the nickname “Bad Shot,” the culprit repeatedly gets away. Will the police detective be able to resolve the case and to shake off his disgraceful epithet?
Nor is this work noteworthy solely for Detective Neo’s haphazard efforts and ratiocination of the theft case. Detective Neo the Bad Shot features diverse animals and their respective circumstances including the detective himself, who is made fun of for having lost an offender: an eagle whose feathers have fallen out; a hedgehog who has not been able to change her spiny hair even though she has been able to amass all kinds of treasures; and a turtle who has knitted and put on a fur coat out of shame that he is hairless. Welcome are the small yet decisive changes brought about to animals in Momo City by the feats of Detective Neo, who himself has shortcomings yet strives to overcome them. A keen eye that unbiasedly finds hidden strengths in others without boasting or sermonizing, above all, is Detective Neo’s unique charm, no less important than his power of reasoning.
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Changbi Books, Changbi Books_Children, Changbi Books_Children > Fiction_Age 8-10