Review by Booklist Review
On his tenth birthday, Junho remembers his beloved mother: two years ago, she escaped North Korea, promising, "We'll fly to freedom together one day." Meanwhile, 11-year-old Myunghee has already learned the "secrets of survival: trading and bribery" in order to keep herself and her fragile great-aunt alive. The children will meet eight days later, bearing witness to the utter horror of a public execution--which includes Junho's uncle. That night, they both flee separately. Junho reunites with his mother; Myunghee is sold into slavery. One month later, their paths cross again on a snowy Chinese street, entwining their futures through a dangerous odyssey across countries and continents. Yes, Cho's graphic novel in verse is an extraordinary dual-voiced narrative, but what makes this title unforgettable is phenomenal, Ignatz-winning artist Lee's (In Limbo, 2023) breathtaking artwork. Their panels, with and without defined borders (as if boundaries should always be mutable) combine sharp black outlines with warm, softened color palettes that empathically and brilliantly adapt to situations: the muted grays and browns of North Korea interrupted by brightened oranges and golds signaling poignant reminders of home and family, the lightening blues suggesting hope-filled movement toward freedom, the tropical greens of welcoming havens. Even a small quibble about a somewhat convenient plot point can't, won't mar this masterpiece.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In 2013, to survive deprivation and starvation in North Korea, two tweens scavenge to support their families and risk even greater hardships seeking freedom. On his 10th birthday, Yunho, who lives with his grandmother, finds himself missing his mother more than ever, remembering how "we ate creatively./ One day a mouse/ ran through our house/ until it was no more./ Omma made plans/ after that dinner./ She could find work and food in China." Since his mother's departure two years ago, Yunho has waited for his own way out. Eleven-year-old Myunghee sells vegetables and forages medicinal plants for her sickly great-aunt, but she dreams of pop stardom while singing along to South Korean DVDs--contraband media that could spell trouble for her family. Omma finally sends for Yunho, but when escape plans go awry, he crosses paths with Myunghee, who saves him. This gripping graphic novel by Cho (God's Little Astronomer) and Lee (In Limbo) about childhood under dictator Kim Jong Un balances horror and wonder in both its poetic language and vibrant imagery. Lee's dynamic Procreate illustrations emphasize light and shadow to brilliantly illuminate the tweens' harrowing situations in this intimate, cohesive collaboration. A note on North Korean history concludes. Ages 8--12. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up--Yunho and Myunghee live very different lives in North Korea in 2013. While 10-year-old Yunho spends his days on the brink of starvation, scavenging for scrap iron in the heat, 11-year-old Myunghee goes to sleep with a full belly and K-pop DVDs hidden beneath her bed. Soldiers lurking everywhere around them provide a common link between the two children, as the oppression of North Korean citizens is evident via both characters. Myunghee saves Yunho's life at a public execution, and when they find each other again in China, Yunho and his omma take Myunghee with them as they travel the Asian Underground Railroad with a group of North Korean refugees. Safe houses, prison stays, enduring interrogations, and escaping the work camp pay off for the team that sticks together to fight for freedom. This must-read graphic novel will open readers' eyes to the reality of oppression in North Korea in the 21st century. Cho's vibrant, elegant writing style beautifully captures the pain, fear, courage, and resilience of the characters featured in this text. Lee's illustrations greatly enhance the text's mood and capture both the courageous adventure of a lifetime and the spirit of a community willing to risk their lives to give those seeking freedom a fighting chance. VERDICT This gut-wrenching story of hope and resilience needs to find its way to all readers' hands.--Angie Jameson
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two young strangers dream of better lives outside North Korea. Ten-year-old Yunho cares for his halmoni and sells rusty nails and bits of iron that he finds in the dirt. "Fifth-grade dropout" Myunghee, 11, has become a street seller, supporting herself and her sick great-aunt. In 2013, North Korea is a tough place to live. Both children's communities have been devastated by famine, poverty, and a cruel government that forbids freedom of thought. A dramatic life-or-death moment briefly brings the young people together before their paths diverge. When the timing is right, each child risks everything to illegally cross North Korea's border into China. Myunghee and Yunho travel alone, facing dangers, until Yunho is reunited with his omma, who's sent for him from China. Soon, another chance encounter compels the three to become traveling companions. They must obtain new identities and avoid arrest; capture could mean death or imprisonment in a concentration camp. This graphic novel serves up a feast of swirling and kinetic digital illustrations. Smooth swaths of muted color sweep across the pages in alternating cool and warm tones. The shifting palette builds tension and contrasts dire moments with the hope and the comfort of found family. Told from their alternating perspectives in welcoming, conversational verse, Yunho's and Myunghee's suspenseful, harrowing journeys provide readers with a realistic and devastating portrayal of life under one of the most oppressive regimes in the world. Triumphant, moving, and unforgettable. (historical note)(Verse graphic adventure. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
