THE NAME JAR

THE NAME JAR

Image credit: www.scholastic.com

1. Bibliography

Choi, Yangsook. 2001. The Name Jar. New York: Dell Dragonfly Books. ISBN 0-375-90613-4

2. Plot Summary

Young Unhei has just moved to America from Korea. On the school bus she realizes that the American students cannot pronounce her name easily and they tease her about her Korean name.  In her new classroom, she does not introduce herself, but she tells the students she will choose a name by the following week. At home, she tells her mother she will be choosing an American name.  Her mother explains how special her name is and that she went to a name master in Korea for it.  The next day at school, there is a jar on Unhei's desk and the students fill it up with suggested name ideas. Unhei carefully reads and considers each one.  By the end of the story, she decides that she likes her Korean name best and teaches her classmates to correctly pronounce Unhei.  

3. Critical Analysis

The Name Jar is an immigration story centered around young Unhei's experience as she starts school in an American school.  She must make an important decision about whether she will quickly begin to assimilate into American culture by choosing a name like "Amanda" or "Laura".  Unhei considers how her name will affect her own identity in her new culture.  She learns from her mother that her Korean name carries meaning and was carefully chosen by a name master.  To add an even stronger connection to her name, the gift her grandmother gives her as she leaves Korea is a wooden name stamp.  Unhei values this gift and carries it in her pocket. Ultimately, Unhei explains to the class "I realized that I liked my name best, so I chose it again. Korean names mean something. Unhei means grace." 

Choi's brightly colored oil paintings show Unhei in a contemporary, urban setting.  There is a variety to the layout of the illustrations that make each one interesting.  From the close up of Unhei's face seen through the transparent name jar to the bold red ink of her name stamp as she shows it to her new friend Joey, each illustration helps the reader clearly understand the context of the story. Choi adds some elements to the illustrations that add to the cultural authenticity of this book.  There is Korean writing on several pages like in the signage at Kim's Market, on wall hangings in her home, and on the letter from her grandmother.  

This story contains many cultural markers that portray Unhei's Korean heritage, even though she has recently moved to America.  In this modern story, Unhei and her family wear western-style clothing with their straight, black hair.  At home, Unhei and her mother use chopsticks and a Korean-style steamer for their food. Her mother buys traditional Korean foods at the store such as cabbage to make kimchi and seaweed for soup. Unhei's mother comments on the fact that they will continue to eat their favorite Korean foods in America. At school, Unhei's classmates have a range of skin tones and diverse hair colors and textures.  At the end of the story, the reader is exposed to a bit of Korean language as Joey refers to himself as "Chinku", meaning friend in Korean.  Many immigrant children from all cultures will be able to relate to Unhei's name dilemma and how she must carefully consider giving up such an important part of her identity.  Reading this story will promote empathy among readers as they internalize the way Unhei felt when the children were teasing her and incorrectly pronouncing her name.  This story could be read to children of many ages as it will spark discussion regarding respecting others and their cultural differences. 

4. Review Excerpts and Awards

KIRKUS REVIEWS (June 2001) "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."

HORN BOOK MAGAZINE (Spring 2002) "The sensitively told story is illustrated with warm paintings that portray Unhei's multicultural urban neighborhood and school."

• Arizona Young Readers' Award Nominee, 2005
• Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee, 2003-2004
• California Young Reader Medal Nominee, 2004
• Delaware Diamonds Nominee, 2003-2004
• Emphasis on Reading Nominee, 2003
• Flicker Tale Children's Book Award Nominee, 2003-2004
• Sharing Cultures: Asian American Children's Authors, 2001
• Special Interest Group of the International Reading Association, 2002
• Teachers' Choices, 2002
• Utah Children's Book Awards Nominee, 2003

5. Connections

• In The Name Jar, Unhei's name stamp from her grandmother is very special to her.  Have students make their own name stamp by gluing foam letters to a wooden block.
• Students that make a connection to this story could also read My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits.  Both stories explore the idea of immigrating to America and adapting to cultural differences.