The Firekeeper's Son

Park, Linda Sue, and Julie Downing. The firekeeper's son. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.

Plot Summary: Sang-hee learns about the importance of keeping the fire burning in his home country of Korea. His father works to teach Sang-hee the ways of the firekeepers, and soon Sang-hee abruptly finds himself taking on the responsibility on his own. Through the experience, Sang-hee learns to have pride in his country and the importance of serving his country. 

Critical Analysis: The Firekeeper’s Son, by Linda Sue Park and illustrated by Julie Downing, tells the story of a young Korean patriot, Sang-hee. The story takes place in Korea in the 1800’s. Two main characters are depicted in this story, Sanh-hee and his father. Both are portrayed in accurate detail, including clothes, facial features, and skin tones. This story is intimate, and the only interaction between characters is between the boy and his father. Obviously portrayed in this book is the patriarchal role of a father. Sang-hee’s father is expected to light the fire each night to protect Korea, and when his father cannot complete the task, Sang-hee is expected to carry it out. Cultural markers in this book are often included in the illustrations. Examples of these include clothing, accessories, landscape, and shelters. Julie Downing’s illustrations are beautifully done with watercolor and pastels and add life and meaning to Park’s words. The book includes a helpful author’s note, which explains the fire lighting system in detail.

Reviews:

Booklist: Park, who won a Newbery Medal for her novel A Single Shard (2001), tells a picture-book story set in Korea in the early 1800s about a young boy in a remote village who suddenly finds himself serving his country. At sunset Sang-hee's father always climbs the mountain and lights a fire that signals to another firekeeper on the next mountain to light his fire, and so on, all the way to the mountain at the palace of the king, who knows from the fire signals that all is well in the land. Then one evening Sang-hee's father breaks his ankle, and the boy must keep the light burning. Downing's handsome, watercolor-and-pastel double-page pictures personalize the history, showing realistic close-ups of the child, who plays soldiers and dreams of the excitement of battle. In contrast are the panoramic views far across the country as the boy tends the flame that preserves peace from mountain to mountain. Add this to those lighthouse stories about the brave child who must take over for adults.

Kirkus: Drawing once again on her heritage, Newbery Medalist Park tells a tale rooted in the history of Korea. Centuries ago-and through the 19th century-the lighting of fires apprised the king of the safety of his country. Darkness warned of trouble. When Sang-hee's father is injured, Sang-hee must climb the mountain with the brass pot of hot coals to start the fire that signals all is well. The first night Sang-hee contemplates whether or not he should light the fire-after all, if he does not, the soldiers will come and he would like to see the soldiers just once. In the end both Sang-hee and his father are proud that Sang-hee has become a trustworthy fire-starter as his father and grandfather were before him. Even in the darkness the watercolor illustrations glow with vibrancy. The cover illustration is especially striking: Sang-hee bright-eyed at the orange-and-yellow fire flickering before him. A lovely telling that will bring readers back to read or hear this story one more time.

Children’s Literature: Back in 19th century Korea, young Sang-hee's father explains the importance of his trip every night to the nearby mountaintop. There he must start a fire, the first in a series of fires from mountain to mountain from the sea to the king's palace. The fires signal that all is well; that no enemy threatens from the sea. One evening Sang-hee does not see the fire. When he runs to see why, he finds that his father is hurt, so he must take the pot of coals to the mountaintop and light the fire. Much as he yearns to see the soldiers who would come if no fire is lit, Sang-hee realizes it is up to him to keep the peace. With great difficulty, he manages to kindle the flame, and until his father is well he does his duty. Watercolors and pastels are used to create naturalistic double-page scenes which describe the 'important village" and the mountain landscape surrounding it. There is a gentle quality to the daytime scenes; a more mellow sensitivity to those at night. Those of Sang-hee racing up the mountain with the pot of glowing coals add tension with his gestures and close-up perspectives. His anxious, fire-lit face on the jacket/cover draws us into his story. The "Author's Note" adds information on the factual background of the story.

Awards:

Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, 2004-2005 Winner Illustration United States

Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2004 Honor Book United States

Parents' Choice Award, 2004 Recommended Picture Books United States

Armadillo Readers' Choice Award, 2004-2005 ; Nominee; PreK-2; Texas

Georgia Children's Book Award, 2006-2007 ; Nominee; Picture Storybook; Georgia

Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2006 ; Nominee; Grades K-2; Kentucky

Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Children's Choice Award, 2008 ; Nominee; Grades K-3; Illinois

Volunteer State Book Award, 2006-2007 ; Nominee; Grades K-3; Tennessee

Young Hoosier Book Award, 2006-2007 ; Nominee; Picture Books; Indiana

Connections: Use this book in a classroom or storytime setting about patriotism. Discuss the ways in which we can serve our country, like Sang-hee served Korea. Have the children illustrate their ideas using watercolors or pastels, similar to Julie Downing’s illustrations.

Check out the following titles also by Linda Sue Park…

Park, Linda Sue, Jean Tseng, and Mou Tseng. Seesaw girl. New York: Clarion Books, 1999.

Park, Linda Sue. A single shard. New York: Clarion Books, 2001.

Park, Linda Sue, and Istvan Banyai. Tap dancing on the roof: sijo (poems). New York: Clarion Books, 2007.

Park, Linda Sue, and Bagram Ibatoulline. The third gift. New York: Clarion Books, 2011.