THE ENDING: How did you respond to the ending of the story? Why/why not did you find the ending satisfying? Explain what conflicts got resolved, and what issues remain unresolved for the Kawashima family. Why do you think Yoko chose to end the book there?

The first thing I said was " That was it?" I kind of like the ending because she got to see her brother. But we still never found out how she met her father and how he escaped from the prison. Also how do they finally get out of poverty? I guess we will never know. Still I think Yoko left it at a cliff hanger so that we would read her next book.

The complaints that I have are that were how did Mr. Nadio turn out? Where was her father being held prisoner at? Does Ko get married? You know stuff like that. Still I wish that they told us more. Still I think that the book was very good and I really want read the second book.


2. Despite all their hardships, the Kawashima family takes time out throughout the course of the novel to observe certain Japanese customs in the traditional manner. Why do you think they do this? What purpose does it serve in their lives? If you were in their family's position, which customs or rituals do you think you and your family would still observe?

The customs that they still keep is how they celebrate New Year's. They ate rice cakes and had green tea. I really liked how Yoko bought Ko green tea and Ko bought Yoko rice cakes. Even though they were poor they still wanted to celebrate New Year's. If I were in their position I would still make sweet potato pie and celebrate Kwanzaa.

3. Which character in the novel do you respect and admire the most? Give specific reasons for your choice.

The character I admire the most is Ko. When their mother died she had to tale over and so she had a lot of stress on her. She also has to feed Yoko and herself, pay the school , keep her and Yoko warm and a ton of other things. Also the fact that she never got to say goodbye to her mother before she died and she took it really hard, but she didn't let her emotions get the best of her so she could take care of Yoko.

4. What did you learn about history from this novel? In 1-2 paragraphs, share some of the historical content you found new and/or interesting as we read the novel. What do you still want to learn, or what questions do you still have?

What I've learned from this book is how to be grateful of what you have. All of the pain and suffering that Yoko and her family went through. Also I learned how to dry out food and other stuff. I found out that the Japanese had taken over Korea for over 50 years and how they ruled them.

5. What lesson(s) about human nature can you learn from this novel? In other words, discuss the theme(s).

Be happy of what you have. You could be running for your life at this moment. So don't be whining that you didn't get your Wii or Mp3 player because that was what you wanted for Christmas. So would rather have bombs being thrown on you or be a little disappointed that you didn't get what you want. So embrace today and be happy!

Bamboo Post #3

1. Why do you think Yoko wants to help Mr. Nahido? How and why does he help her? What do they have in common?

The reason Yoko helps Mr. Niado because he's the only friend she has. He also saves her paper, ink, art supplies, and many other things. She loves to talk to him and he doesn't call her " Rag Doll" or " Trash Picker." Mr. Nahido likes to help Yoko because he has someone to talk to that doesn't make fun of his stuttering, Yoko is also helping him clear his voice. She as well picks up cans from the ground and gives them to him for him to sell, when she could be selling the cans herself (because we all know she needs every cent she earns). The thing they have in common is that they're outcasts to the snobby girls in the school and they love to make fun of them. Also the both of them know what it's like not to live very rich.

2. Finding out about Ko's "idea" is a turning point for Yoko. Explain how this incident is a turning point for her. What does she realize at that moment? How does her attitude change?

When she sees Ko shining people's shoe for so that she can rice cakes for the new year Yoko feels honored to have such a kind and generous sister. When Yoko sees the hard work she knows that Ko is doing it for her. So she really want to show how happy was she for Ko being such a good big sister and looking out for Yoko and making sure there is food on the table.

3. Write your own: Remember, no easy answers? Ask those tough how and why questions to create discussions in your group. DON'T FORGET: Offer your own answer as well.

Yoko hasn't thought about her father that much, but soon after she does. Why do you think Yoko forgot about her father and why did she suddenly think of him?

I think it's because she been running for her life and was wondering if she was going to live or die. But when she safe she starts to think about her life in Korea and misses her father.

1.

a) Well, they needed to leave because Ko saw soldiers raping women. Thus she knew they had to get out of there because herself, sister, and mother were all women (expect for Yoko) and the soldiers would gladly do them. Also they didn't have their brother to protect them. Also the train to Pusan would lead them to a boat to Japan.

b) I agree with their decision to leave Hideyo. They would be no use to Hideyo if they were killed. they needed to get to a safe place. They also knew that Hideyo could take care of himself. I thought it was very wise of them.

2. Why do you think that Yoko started to toughen up? Give me 2 example from the book. Also if you were in this situation how would YOU react?

1. Hideo to me is very...courageous, but a little head strong. Like when he wanted to join the Japan army. I thought he was going a little to far. Still he cares for his family and will do anything to protect his mother and sisters. He is very educated, smart and I think he will be a very good leader. He also responsible in that he does what he's told and like when he purposely failed the test because he know he had to watch over his sisters and mother than die in battle that would be over in a few days anyway.

2. I would bring dried out pomegranates because when dried out it can last for years, dried out food of any kind so it would last for many days, tent for shelter, machete for cutting brush in case you go off trail and sometime a weapon, jugs full of water, first aid kit, lots of coats and blankets, writing materials or a diary in case of directions or just to write things done and to look back on it, small cooking kits to cook food, lantern for light, rope and a hunting knife for to tie things and to cut things, pocket knife for cutting, eating and other things, a bible for faith and hope, soap to wash, a map and compass to tell where you're going, combs in keep your hair decent, money to buy things, tarp for when it rain and you can use it as a blanket when it's not raining, and so clothes to wear.

3. I really became upset when the nurse threw out the dead baby and then the mother jumped out to save her baby. I thought that is was very disturbing. If she really loved baby so much that she take her own life to just to hold a dead baby.