Archer’s Quest Archer’s Quest , Linda Sue Park, Clarion Books, 2006 Grade Level: 3-5 ISBN-13: 978-0-618-59631-7, $16.00 ISBN-10: 0-618-59631-3, $16.00 Paperback (due out May 13, 2008) CD, Audio download |
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Blanket Permission to Reproduce Book Jackets:
Preferred wording: “Used by permission of the publisher.”
Synopsis: While doing his homework one grey February afternoon, Kevin is caught off guard when an arrow whizzing through the air takes his baseball hat right off his head! As he helps this gruff intruder find his way home he learns much about himself, his family’s heritage and an appreciation of history.
General Review:
Once again, Linda Sue Park uses a present day story to reach back in time to explore the history of a country and people. This story goes back in time before Korea was a country and explains its origin. Her main character, Kevin, shows much ingenuity as he uses his research skills and critical thinking to help him on his quest to return Koh Chu-mong to his time in history. Although the story takes place in less than a day, it’s believable. I think it will interest many readers, especially if they have read other books by this author.
Themes: Tongmyong Wang, King of Korea, 58-19 B. C.; Time travel; Magic; Kings, queens, rulers, etc.: Korea – History – To 935; Korean Americans
Author Information:
http://www.lspark.com/index.html this is the author’s own site; http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/lindasuepark.htm Teacher Resource File; http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-park-linda-sue.asp
Discussion Questions:
- How would you have helped Koh Chu-mong get back to his time in history?
- What do you know about your family’s history? Is knowing one’s family’s history important?
- In what year were you born? Are you a Rat, Monkey, or maybe a Tiger?
- What resources and research skills did Kevin use to help his new friend?
- Describe what Koh Chu-mong look like using clues from the story.
Activities:
Although this story takes place in a single day, make a timeline of all Kevin did to help Archie.
(Standard 3, Benchmark 1)
Locate a Chinese Zodiac calendar that lists the character traits for each animal. Do you have some of the traits list for the year/animal of your birth? You may want to use a Venn diagram to show the characteristics you share.
(Standard 6, Benchmark 1; Standard 9, Benchmark 1)
Pick a scene from the story, and work together with a group of friends to write a brief play about the scene. The time travel scenes make excellent choices. For an audience, act out the scene with your group using costumes and props. Be sure the scene is accurate from the book and has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
(Standard 5 Benchmark 3 and Standard 9 Benchmark 1)
Similar books for Further Reading:
Any of Linda Sue Park’s books
Betsy Byars. Computer Nut
Dan Gutman . Virtually Perfect
Books for further reading on Korean culture:
Choi, Sook Nyul. Year of the Impossible Goodbyes (and sequels) Wong, Janet. Suitcase Full of Seaweed and Other Poems Yoo, Paula. Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds.
