A Korean American girl tells of her acculturation into American life from the day she leaves Korea as a child to adulthood.

Honors

California Collections Selection

Asian American Booklist, Grades 9 and UP —Read Across America, National Education Association

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature —Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association

Reading List —Women's Division Reading Program

Gateway Readers Award Nominee —Missouri Association of School Libraries

William Allen White Children's Book Award master list

Michael L. Printz Award

Children's Book Award (Young Adult Fiction) —IRA

IRA Notable Books for a Global Society

ALA Notable Children's Book

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Fanfare Book —The Horn Book Honor List

CCBC Choices

Books for the Teen Age —NYPL

Bay Area Book Reviewers Association Award

Children's Literature Choice List

Amelia Bloomer Project List

White Ravens —International Youth Library of Munich

National Book Award Finalist

New York Times Book Review Notable Book

Best Children's Books —Publishers Weekly

Book Links Lasting Connections of

Kiriyama Prize Notable Book Shortlist

Best Book of —teenreads.com

Children's Books of Distinction Award —Riverbank Review

Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children

Reviews

 “The journey Na chronicles in Young’s graceful and resonant voice is an acculturation process that is at times wrenching, at times triumphant and consistently absorbing. … By its conclusion, readers can see a strong, admirable young woman with a future full of hope. Equally bright are the prospects of this author; readers will eagerly await her next step.”
     —Publishers Weekly

 “As in the best writing, the particulars make the story, a first novel, universal.”
     —Booklist

 “A beautifully written, affecting work.”
     —School Library Journal

 “An Na displays an astonishing and memorable force.”
     —Horn Book

“An Na’s first novel, A Step From Heaven, is the engaging tale of a young girl’s childhood in the shadow of an abusive father, and of how she gains the courage to choose freedom for herself and her family. … The book is endowed with a haunting grace by the exquisite voice of a new young writer.”
     —New York Times Book Review

“Na’s crisp writing sketches Young Ju’s growth from a 4-year-old to a high school senior on her way to college who watches her parents’ marriage fall apart. Her father’s drinking, depression and domestic violence are realistic and disturbing. But Na’s ability to create a believable family history transcends the painful scenes, just as Young Ju overcomes her bittersweet childhood to become an admirable young woman.”
     —USA Today

“Spare imagistic language and present-tense first-person narration reflect the often-sketchy memories that slowly reveal painful family relationships. The cadence of the sentences, short at first and then longer as the narrator learns English and grows to womanhood, etches the acculturation process and delivers a powerful punch.”
     —Book Links

“An Na’s stunning first novel depicts Young’s development by showing the complexities of her world, screened through her mind. We see Young, even as a small child, trying to piece events together on an intellectual as well as an emotional level. Her struggle to comprehend her family life leads to a mature understanding of her mother, allowing Young to take some courageous steps into the adult world.”
     —CCBC Choices (University of Wisconsin)

𔄜Q This beautifully written book, a tale of both tragedy and eventual triumph, is likely to bring tears to the eyes of any reader. Its author must be considered an important new voice in Asian American children’s literature.”
     —Voice of Youth Advocates

“R A contemporary and personal immigrant tale, this will make an affecting counterpoint to well-worn stories of Ellis Island. ...Recommended.”
     —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A powerful story of cultural clash. … Readers will come to care for Young Ju as she finds her way in a strange culture and eventually finds success. Highly Recommended.”
     —Book Report

“This book enriches readers’ understanding of Korean culture and of the immigrant experience shared by many.”
     —Children's Literature

“Gr. 8-12. At age four, Young Ju and her family move from Korea to America, where they are met with serious challenges, including learning to speak English, combating poverty, and enduring various types of abuse. Particularly interesting is Young Ju's sense of responsibility for teaching her parents the English words she learns at school.”
     —Book Links

“A young Korean girl and her family find it difficult to learn English and adjust to life in America.”
     —Library Media Connection

about the author

An, Na was born in Korea and grew up in San Diego, California. She is a graduate of Amherst College and received her MFA in Writing Children’s Literature from Vermont College. A former middle school English and history teacher, she now writes full time. She lives in Kensington, CA. A Step From Heaven is her first novel.