The Name Jar

link related to the story that can be used as a resource

Yangsook Choi

Author Qualification(s): Grew up in S. Korea, came to New York as an immigrant

Illustrator Qualification(s): same qualifications (author is illustrator)

Genre(s)

realistic fiction

picture book

Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)

pride in one's name and heritage

cultural assimilation

Awards

N/A

Plot Summary

Unhei is on the bus to her very first American school. When she tells someone what her name is, they tease her and have a hard time pronouncing it. From that moment forward, she decides not to tell her new classmates her real name. Instead, they create a name jar and help her pick an American name. But none of them seem to fit just right. Unhei makes a friend with a boy name Joey who convinces her that she should keep the beautiful name she was given. A letter from her grandma helps solidify this decision.

Connections & Representation

Students who are immigrants from another country can relate to this book. Most struggle with the idea of keeping their given name or changing it to a more Americanized one.

Stereotypes

Unhei is represented more as an individual than a stereotype. She visits the grocery store that reminds her of home, but this is culturally accurate instead of portraying a stereotype. I think it is probably comforting to surround oneself with things that remind them of their native land as a way of preserving that culture.

Conflicts

The conflict in this story, picking a new name for Unhei, is solved by her helpful Outsider classmates, but especially by one, who teaches her to see the beauty in the uniqueness of her name. Joey celebrates the uniqueness by getting his own name stamp.

Insider/Outsider

Unhei is presented as an Outsider originally. She is embarrassed of her heritage when the kids on the bus make fun of her name. She soon begins to see herself as an Insider once her classmates show acceptance of her.

Teachable Moment

This book teaches students to take pride in their culture and their namesake, to not be afraid to hold onto things that are unique to that culture when assimilating into another.

Page updated

Report abuse