Unhei has just moved from her home country of Korea and on her first day at her new school feels insecure about her name, many of the other students cannot pronounce it, and soon wants to pick a new one. The students try to help her pick a new name by creating a name jar. Unhei has to make a choice when the name jar suddenly disappears. In the end, she chooses her name and can share a bit of herself with her new friends.
This book is a sweet story of acceptance and understanding for both the main and secondary characters. The students in her class are represented as diverse. Unhei, her mother, grandmother, and other members of the Asian community are portrayed respectfully with a variety of hairstyles. Many adults are helpful and do not put pressure on Unhei to fit in. There are some stereotypes in the book including being well-behaved and studious but they can also be looked at as an expectation of a parent. Unhei's mother encourages her differences and reminds her that different is good. Her classmate Joey also encourages her difference by appreciating her name stamp and asking her to keep the paper. This is a pivotal moment for Unhei in the story.
"Choi draws from her own experience, interweaving several issues into this touching account and delicately addressing the challenges of assimilation. The paintings are done in creamy, earth-tone oils and augment the story nicely."- Kirkus Review
Book Information:
Choi, Y. (2001). THE NAME JAR. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780440417996
Suggested Activity:
Have students research their own names and the culture and meaning behind them. Encourage them to interview family members.
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