The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park

Park, Linda Sue, & Downing, Julie. (2004). The Firekeeper’s Son. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0618-133376.

Brief plot summary:

This picture book is set in Korea in the early 1800s and is about a young boy, Sang-hee. Each village in Korea has a hill or mountain and they each line up with the king’s palace. Sang-hee’s village is the furthest away from the palace, next to the sea. Every night it is Sang-hee’s father’s responsibility to light a fire at the top of their “hump.” After he does so, the same happens in the other villages until it reaches the king. When all the fires are lit, the king knows that all is well in the villages. If the fires are not lit, soldiers are sent to fight the enemy. One night, Sang-hee’s father stumbles and injures himself and it becomes Sang-hee’s responsibility to light the village’s fire. Will he light the fire or give into his desire to meet the soldiers?

Critical analyses:

Overall impression: Good story for helping kids understand that some responsibilities are more important than our own (selfish) desires.

The Firekeeper’s Son contains both flowing text and vibrant illustrations that complement the cultural markers throughout. The first two pages feature a stretch of land touching the sea with a humble-looking village. Downing uses a watercolor and pastel mixture (Publisher’s Weekly, 2004) which gives the setting a soft, earthy feel. Following this is a scene featuring the main character, Sang-hee, his father, and his surrounding village (other people, chickens, cows, a pet dog, “huts made of wood and mud,” etc.). The characters are wearing traditional Korean garb appropriate for rural farm work. Many aspects of Korean culture are incorporated throughout the book, including an appropriate Korean name (Sang-hee), the mention of the mythical dragon (“Our part of Korea is like a dragon with many humps”), and the use of clay toys/figurines. Most importantly, the bonfire signal system is a historically accurate concept. In her author’s note, Park explains that, although simplified for the story, Korea did use bonfires for communication between the villages and the king. By incorporating this form of communication used in Korea in the 1800s, Park is able to give readers a history lesson as well as a quality story of a young boy doing what is best for his country and family. Through her excellent storytelling, Park creates empathy for Sang-hee in his internal conflict (“I could say I dropped the pot. And spilled all the coals. That is was an accident.”). Readers will relate to his struggle to give into his personal wants and will root for him to do the right thing.

Review excerpts:

“Add this to those lighthouse stories about the brave child who must take over for adults.”

--Booklist, 2004

“A lovely telling that will bring readers back to read or hear this story one more time.”

--Kirkus, 2004

“Lee is a steady and even reader who’s careful and emotionally circumspect-- he conveys much through simple changes in tone and pace.”

--Audiofile, 2005

Connections (related books, activities, children’s responses, etc.):

Kids might be interested in learning more about the bonfire signal system. They could discuss the influence of technology on our world and think of other ways that people had to communicate before certain technologies were invented. Librarians or educators could teach them how to write a letter using snail mail and could actually send it (either to a far away relative/friend or to another children’s group or classroom that agreed to do so).  

References:

Publisher's Weekly. (2004, March). The Firekeeper's Son. Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-618-13337-6