Novelist shares hardships of immigrant families

By Do Je-hae

Korean-American author An Na has published several novels focusing on the hardships of immigrant families.

The lives of 1.5 generation youths like herself have been the subject of her key works, “A Step from Heaven” and “The Fold.” Both works are available in Korean.

The 2002 Michael L. Printz Award winner was in Korea this week to give lectures and talk about her work. The Michael L. Printz Award is an American Library Association literary award that annually recognizes excellence in books written for teens. An is the first Korean-American to receive the award.

This was her first visit to her country of birth in almost 35 years. She was born in Korea and moved to San Diego, California, when she was five years old.

Like most authors, she was a fervent reader as a child. She eventually became a middle school English and history teacher. She turned to writing novels after taking a young adult literature class at Vermont College.

An’s debut as a novelist was through the 2002 “A Step From Heaven.” The Korean translation has become popular among young local readers. The work has been released in more than 20 countries.

The novel is about the growing pains of Young Ju, who moves to southern California with her family at age four.

While expecting an easy, blissful life in America, Young Ju sees the stress that the cultural adjustment puts on her family. She struggles with the language barrier at her new school, and her parents’ relationship becomes increasingly strained due to financial issues. The family endures the brutality of Young Ju’s alcoholic father, who ultimately is arrested for violence and leaves the family.

The novel ends with Young Ju preparing for college.

Another signature work of An is the “The Fold,” the coming-of-age story of Korean-American girl named Joyce who struggles with her appearance.