Resources
One of our primary roles as an organization is to connect adoptees (and their families) with their Korean culture and heritage. Through learning and embracing authentic elements of Korean culture, adoptees often feel a new and enriching sense of identity and community. This page provides links to helpful resources for families eager to learn about and enjoy Korean literature, food, film, and music.
Film & Music
Adopted directed by Barb Lee, Point Made Films, Inc.
Crossing Chasms by Jennifer Arndt, Maven Productions
Finding Seoul by John Sanvidge
First Person Plural by Deann Borshay Liem
Geographies of Kinship by Deann Borshay Liem
Inside North Korea by National Geographic
In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee by Deann Borshay Liem
Juxtaposed by Alex Wager
Outside Looking In: Transracial Adoption In America directed by Phil Bertelsen
Resilience by Tammy Chu
Silence Broken: Korean Comfort Women by Dai Sil-Kim Gibson
Unlocking the Heart of Adoption by Sheila Ganz
Books
A Cab Called Reliable by Patti Kim
Ahn Joo Cho emigrated from Korea to Virginia when she was seven. Two years later, a cab called reliable takes away her mother and infant brother forever. Over the years, Ahn Joo excels at writing while her home life with her old-fashioned father deteriorates. A heart-breaking secret finally sets her free to create her own heritage.
A Dream Come True by Adorable Adoptees (Jessica Rose, Nicole and Sarah Dankert)
These three teens, all adopted from Korea, created a memory book especially for adopted children. Notebook-style binder, with Velcro-closure and cute artwork, allows for customization.
A Euro-American on a Korean Tour at a Thai Restaurant in China by Chris Winston
Part memoir, part parenting guide, this book shares how a mother worked to meet her children’s needs and, in doing so, birthed a new kind of community.
A Family in South Korea by Lerner Publications
Describes the busy life of Chun Yung Mee who lives with her family in a village in the Republic of Korea. Includes color photos on each page.
A Gesture Life by Chang-Rae Lee
As he did in his debut (Native Speaker), the author explores the dilemma of being an outsider. First, as a native-born Korean, protagonist Franklin Hata bends over backwards to fit into Japanese culture, circa 1944. Then he attempts a similar bit of environmental adaptation in postwar America–more specifically, in the slumbering New York suburb of Bedley Run. But in neither case does he quite succeed, which gives the novel its peculiar, faltering sense of tragedy.
A Ghost at Heart’s Edge by Susan Ito and Tina Cervin (editors)
Fifty short stories and poems reveal the sometimes heartbreaking, often affirming tales of adoption. Written from the point of view of birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, this unique anthology spans nations and cultures. Includes authors Alison Lurie, Isabel Allende, Sandra McPherson, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Louise Erdrich, Chitra Divakaruni, and Lynna Williams.
A Gift of the Emperor by Therese Park
A graphic story about Korean comfort women.
A Kid’s Guide to Asian-American History by Valerie Petrillo
More than 70 activities including eleven based in Korean culture.
A Korean Mother’s Cooking Notes by Chang Sun-Young
Easy to follow; reads like a journal.
A New Beginning: A Collection of Essays by Kim Dae-Jung
Writings by the current president of South Korea and winner of the 200 Nobel Peace prize, spanning nearly four decades of South Korea’s struggle for democracy and human rights.
A New History of Korea by Ki-baik Lee
Widely used as a college text in Korea. Translated into several other languages, including this English one.
A New History of Korea by Ki-baik Lee
A Person of Interest by Susan Choi
An Asian-American professor is suspected of terrorism and murder when a colleague is killed. He receives a letter leading him to suspect the true culprit is an old nemesis seeking revenge.
A Ricepaper Airplane by Gary Pak
A dying man envisions a ricepaper airplane that would carry him back to his Korean homeland and to his wife and children.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
Tree-ear, a thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, lives under a bridge in a potters village, and longs to learn how to throw the delicate celadon ceramics himself. A 2002 Newbery medal winner.
A Single Square Picture: A Korean Adoptee’s Search for Her Roots by Katy Robinson
What a beautifully shared story! Kim Ji-yun (Katy) left Korea to be adopted in the United States at the age of seven, and returns as a married 28-year-old to rediscover the family and roots she can hardly remember.
A Step from Heaven by Ah Na
A young Korean girl and her family find it difficult to learn English and adjust to life in America. Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in Literature.
A Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems by Janet S. Wong
Perceptive, touching, and often amusing poems about the author’s Korean, Chinese, and American heritage and her family.
A Tiger by the Tale and Other Stories from the Heart of Korea retold by Lindy Soom Curry
Folktales with tips from a professional storyteller on developing one’s own storytelling style. Ages 9+.