My Name is Yoon
Author: Recorvits, H., & Swiatkowska, G.
My Name is Yoon
Author: Recorvits, H., & Swiatkowska, G.
Yoon, a young Korean girl, moves to the United States and struggles to adapt to her new school and language. She resists writing her name in English, feeling that it takes away part of her identity. As she learns more about her new environment, she slowly embraces her bilingual identity while still cherishing her Korean heritage. Through interactions with her teacher and classmates, Yoon discovers that she can be both Korean and American without losing who she is. The story beautifully illustrates the emotional journey of adaptation and self-acceptance. The book is enriched with expressive illustrations that capture Yoon’s emotions and transformation.
As a group, we selected My Name is Yoon because this book is a tool for discussions on identity and the challenges of learning a new language. Many multilingual learners experience similar struggles of balancing cultural pride with the need to integrate into a new community.
Yoon’s story offers reassurance that maintaining one’s native language and traditions is valuable. By reading this book, students can reflect on their own experiences of transitioning between cultures. The story provides a mirror for students who have faced similar adjustments and a window for others to understand these challenges.
Including this book in the classroom helps students explore the importance of self-expression and cultural identity.