The Girl-Son by Anne E. Neuberger

From the Publisher

From turn-of-the-century Korea comes the true story of a courageous young girl who was disguised as a boy so that she could attend school.

Although only men and boys were allowed to go to school in Korea, Induk Pahk's mother believed that Induk could learn as well as any boy. So she dressed Induk in pants made from the cloth of her own skirt and sent her off to school. As Induk walked into the classroom, the row of fifteen boys turned to stare at her. Did they guess her secret? Would they believe she was a boy? The Girl-Son, written in first-person narrative, is based on the true story of one girl's courage and determination to challenge tradition in order to create equal opportunities for all children in her country.

Children's Literature

The Girl Son is a compelling story about a mother's love and her daughter's desire and determination to get an education even though it is forbidden in their native country, Korea. The story begins with the birth of Induk Pahk at the start of the twentieth century. Her father and brother are lost to cholera, and her poor and illiterate mother decides that Induk will get an education no matter what the cost. Induk gets her early education disguised as a boy. Mother and daughter make enormous sacrifices to achieve their dreams. The text is well written in simple language, but tells a powerful story everyone should read.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-This fictionalized biography of Korean educator Induk Pahk (1886-1980) is told in a simple and straightforward manner as if by the woman herself. She was initially educated by being disguised as a boy, since girls at the time were thought to be unworthy or unable to learn to read and write. Pahk gradually worked her way through the first schools for girls in Korea. Run by missionaries, they provided the country with the beginnings of equal-education opportunities. Pahk later endured a harrowing half-year in prison (presented realistically but without sensationalism) for her beliefs and later traveled the world on behalf of the school that she helped to create. Children may be astounded at the lengths to which Pahk and her mother went to achieve the education that we take for granted. Characterization is minimal, but the writing is clear and the story is mildly suspenseful. An epilogue and directions for determining one's own birth sign according to the Chinese zodiac are included.-Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA

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