In 1972, An Na was born in South Korea. Her parents decided to move to the United States while she was still very young. She was raised mostly in San Diego, California, and now identifies as an American-Raised Korean. Her father believed that Americans would have an easier time pronouncing only the first syllable of her given name, so it was shortened to “Na.” Her family name, “An,” was frequently spoken before her given name - many Americans now simply call her “Anna.” This was a conscious effort to keep her Korean heritage and integrate her family name into her name forever, so that marriage would not replace it with her husband’s last name. Throughout her education, An Na received a bachelor of arts from Amherst College and an MFA from Norwich
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Her first novel, A Step from Heaven, was published in 2001. She describes the book as “a Korean-American girl [telling] the story of her acculturation into American life” (An Na). Her own memories of moving to America inspired this book, but the main character’s experiences are not autobiographical. An Na admits that she struggled to balance her Korean heritage with American culture, but she never felt ashamed of being Korean. This book was nominated for multiple awards and ended up winning the Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association. In 2006, An Na released another novel titled Wait for Me. Two years later, she published The Fold. Today, An Na visits various middle schools to talk with the students about her novels. She also actively encourages Asian-American students to pursue their artistic dreams and continue being creative. She lives with her husband and her daughter, named Juna, in Warren, …show more content…
Her memories begin in South Korea, when she is only four years old. Young Ju lives in a small house with her mother, father, and grandmother. Her grandfather has recently passed away. Her parents are poor and unhappy, so they make plans to move to America; they hope to create a better life for their daughter. Unfortunately, because they must live with Young Ju’s aunt and uncle for a while, they decide not to bring the grandmother with them to America. When Young Ju first arrives in America, she is startled by the cultural differences. The blonde hair, different skin tones, foreign language, and classroom setting are all very different for her. Although at first, Young Ju does not understand any English, she learns quickly and becomes friends with a girl named Amanda. This girl is a stereotypical American with blonde hair, two happily married parents, and a large house. Young Ju’s father forces the family to move out of his sister’s house and into a tiny apartment, claiming that they will be able to save up enough money to move out soon. One reason he decides to do this is because Young Ju’s mother is pregnant again and he wants some privacy. At this point in the novel, it is revealed to the reader that Young Ju’s father is abusive and has no problems physically harming his wife to get what he wants. After the baby is born, Young Ju is immediately undervalued by
Her first novel, A Step from Heaven, was published in 2001. She describes the book as “a Korean-American girl [telling] the story of her acculturation into American life” (An Na). Her own memories of moving to America inspired this book, but the main character’s experiences are not autobiographical. An Na admits that she struggled to balance her Korean heritage with American culture, but she never felt ashamed of being Korean. This book was nominated for multiple awards and ended up winning the Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association. In 2006, An Na released another novel titled Wait for Me. Two years later, she published The Fold. Today, An Na visits various middle schools to talk with the students about her novels. She also actively encourages Asian-American students to pursue their artistic dreams and continue being creative. She lives with her husband and her daughter, named Juna, in Warren, …show more content…
Her memories begin in South Korea, when she is only four years old. Young Ju lives in a small house with her mother, father, and grandmother. Her grandfather has recently passed away. Her parents are poor and unhappy, so they make plans to move to America; they hope to create a better life for their daughter. Unfortunately, because they must live with Young Ju’s aunt and uncle for a while, they decide not to bring the grandmother with them to America. When Young Ju first arrives in America, she is startled by the cultural differences. The blonde hair, different skin tones, foreign language, and classroom setting are all very different for her. Although at first, Young Ju does not understand any English, she learns quickly and becomes friends with a girl named Amanda. This girl is a stereotypical American with blonde hair, two happily married parents, and a large house. Young Ju’s father forces the family to move out of his sister’s house and into a tiny apartment, claiming that they will be able to save up enough money to move out soon. One reason he decides to do this is because Young Ju’s mother is pregnant again and he wants some privacy. At this point in the novel, it is revealed to the reader that Young Ju’s father is abusive and has no problems physically harming his wife to get what he wants. After the baby is born, Young Ju is immediately undervalued by