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Kee-sup
can build kites worthy of a king, and his brother Young-sup can fly kites
better than anyone else in Seoul, Korea in 1473. In spite of the culture
where the older brother is favored and will inherit everything, the two
boys combine talents as the annual kite-fighting contest draws near. To
add to the excitemen, the king has asked the brothers to represent him in
the contest. How Young-sup outsmarts his opponent and honors his king and
his family makes this historical fiction novel exciting and informative.
About
the Author
Linda
Sue Park uses her family traditions and travel experiences in her writing.
Although her family came originally from South Korea, Ms. Park was born in
Illinois. She published her first poem at age nine, and as an adult
published four novels: Seesaw Girl, The Kite Fighters, A Single Shard
(winner of the 2002 Newbery Award), and When My Name Was Keoko. Ms
Park lives in New York with her husband and two children.
Activities
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Find
a book on kites in your library. Design a kite, build it, and see how
well it flies.
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Develop
a kite-flying contest, and establish the rules. Include categories
such as highest flying kite, most unusual design, or most beautiful
kite.
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Kite
fighting is only one of the traditions found in Korean society.
Research the country of South Korea and report to your class about the
country and its customs. You may even want to bring traditional food
to share with your class.
More,
more, more...
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Demi.
Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky. Crown, 1999.
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Koh,
Frances M. Korean Games. East West Press, 1997.
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Lin,
Grace. Kite Flying. Alfred A. Knopf, 2002.
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Park,
Linda Sue. A Single Shard. Clarion, 2001.
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Shepheard,
Patricia. South Korea (Major World Nations). Chelsea House,
1999.
Websites
Kites
and Kite Flying
Kite
Geography
Kites
as an Educational Tool
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