A Step From Heaven

Michael Printz Winner

A Step from Heaven by An Na is a Michael Printz award winning book. The book tells a story of a Korean girl named Young Ju who moves with her family from Korea to California. Young Ju quickly comes to realize the stress that cultural adjustments have on her and her family. Not only is Young Ju struggling with a language barrier at school, but her parents are having difficultly financially as well. The book follows Young Jun as she grows up and begins to adapt to life making friends and doing well in school, but she has constant worry of her violent alcoholic father and his treatment of her younger brother Joon. This story is great for showing students the realities of being an immigrant to the United States, and the struggles and hardships that most will face such as language barriers, financial issues, and emotional trauma. 

Na, A. (2003). A step from heaven. Tallahassee, FL: Speak.