The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she?
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce yo... read full description
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce yo... read full description
reviews
Jan 28, 2010
CH _Kenya
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The Name Jar, was a good story to share in the primary grades particularly at the beginning of the school year. It was about a girl whose family had just moved from Korea to America and she was attending her first day of school. Initially she was teased about her name by kids on the school bus and then became intimidated about sharing her name with her classmates. It also made her feel embarrassed about being different than the other kids. Unhei, learned that her classmates were a much more kind
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Dec 03, 2011
Mary
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The Name Jar is about a girl named Unhei a little girl that emigrated from America with her parents and left her native land of Korea and her grandmother. As a departure gift her grandmother gives her a block with her name carved out of a small block of wood and placed in a little read bag. On her first day of school a little boy sees her admiring it and they are interested and want to know her name, but she becomes embarrassed. Inhei did not want to be different. To help with her anxiety her mo
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Jan 30, 2011
Sarah
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Although I know we are supposed to be posting examples of good multicultural literature, I felt it necessary to make a post on this book. The idea of a Korean girl coming to the United States and not liking how different her name sounds from all of her American classmates has some universality to it. I have encountered many bilingual/ ELL students who wanted to be called something else or an Americanized version of their names. However, I had some strong issues with this book, which definitel
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Jul 28, 2010
Elfdart
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i enjoyed this book. i was in the book store one day and it caught my eye so i flipped through it, and i’m glad i did. its about a little girl who comes from korea and moved to north america. she goes to school and doesn’t want to tell the class her name because it is different, so she says she doesn’t have a name, so her classmates make a name jar for her and put in names that she can use. then she gets a letter from her grandmother who is still in korea saying how much she loves her and in th
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Oct 24, 2011
Elizabeth
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The Name Jar by Jangsook Choi is a wonderful picture book about a girl named Unhei. Unhei is Korean and has just moved to the U.S. On the first day of school, someone makes fun of her name, so Unhei decides that she needs a name that is more American. One of her new friends gives her a jar, so that everyone in the class can put their name ideas in it. In the end, Unhei realizes that her name is special and is the best choice of all.
This very simple story conveys a theme that ru More...
This very simple story conveys a theme that ru More...
Mar 12, 2011
Laura
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This is a wonderful story that all classrooms should get a chance to hear. The book teaches about acceptance of other cultures, pride in your own culture, and many cultures represented in the American classroom. The young Korean girl in the story comes to America and her first days of school don't go so great because the other children are having trouble saying her name and choose to make fun of it. She goes home and decides to make a "name jar" with American names that are similar
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Oct 13, 2011
Gce123
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Why this book? Add depth to the collection of realistic fiction with Asian primary characters.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme/Keywords: Asian Heritage & Culture, Diversity, Friendship, Self Concept
Special Features: some Korean characters used to show written language
Characteristics of quality: Beautiful, glowing paintings by the author, text speaks to many children’s concerns about fitting in; descriptive language adds deeper meaning to text
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Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme/Keywords: Asian Heritage & Culture, Diversity, Friendship, Self Concept
Special Features: some Korean characters used to show written language
Characteristics of quality: Beautiful, glowing paintings by the author, text speaks to many children’s concerns about fitting in; descriptive language adds deeper meaning to text
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Jan 29, 2011
Kelly
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This book's been in the mix in my classroom for a few years. It's a great way for us to spark (or continue) any number of conversations -- how it feels when people can't pronounce your name; how it feels to be mocked or made fun of; the idea that names have meanings and/or histories; the challenges of transition for new students and/or students/families who have immigrated from somewhere else to the United States; the use of characters or symbols rather than Roman letters for writing; pride in
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Jan 26, 2011
Erica
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Unhei, a young Korean girl, moves to America with her family and arrives at a new school. She is embarrassed to tell the new children her name because it is hard to pronounce. The students decide to help her and create a name jar so that she can chose an American name. After a little self refection, a visit to the local Korean market with Mr. Kim and a letter from her grandmother, Unhei decides to use her Korean name. She teaches the students how to correctly pronounce her name and what it means
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Jan 23, 2012
Evelyn
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The Name Jar is about a a young Korean girl who comes to America and gets teased because of her name. She becomes fearful that her classmates might not like her name so she tells her classmates she doesn't have a name. The next day, the students put names in a jar for the girl to pick out and choose a name. In the end, she realizes that her own name suits her the best and shares it with the class. This book is excellent for students who have came from another country to America and may feel out
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Feb 01, 2010
Kristin
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This is a GREAT book, and really well written. I'd say that the story is great, but the illustrations are ok. This story is about a Korean girl who came to America. She has a unique name and isn't sure people will like it. She decides that she will give herself a new name. However, through her grandma's words of wisdom she realizes that her name is special and beautiful. This story would work really well with young kids as well as older. This book could lead to a great research project for kids,
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Dec 23, 2008
Luann
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Unhei is attending school in America for the first time since moving from Korea. She decides to change her name when the students on the bus find her name funny and can't pronounce it correctly. The students in her class try to help her pick an American name by putting suggestions in a name jar.
I kept waiting for someone to suggest "Grace" since that is what her name means in Korean. The illustrations are okay. I like Choi's use of colors, but some of her people are awk
I kept waiting for someone to suggest "Grace" since that is what her name means in Korean. The illustrations are okay. I like Choi's use of colors, but some of her people are awk
Apr 11, 2011
Chenoa
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This is a great book tht is full of experiences most students can relate to while amongst their peers. Whenever they question their status surronding their peers, The Name Jar is the book that displays it all. Unhei only wants to accepted by her new classmates. Instead of using her name, she decides to pick a name, but in the midst of it, she learns so much more about others and about herself.
Great read fr Pre-K to 3rd grade
Great read fr Pre-K to 3rd grade
Apr 09, 2011
Misty
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This is a great book about acceptance and loving yourself and the things about you. A young girl from Korea moves to America and starts school. Students begin to say things about her name and make her feel self-concious. In the end she realizes that she should be proud of her name and it does not matter what everyone else thinks. That is a message I would love to get across to my students, especially if a new student comes in.
Oct 22, 2010
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
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A young girl has arrived in the U.S. from Korea and faces the challenge of people not being able to say her name (Unhei - which means Grace). Her classmates present her with a jar filled with name suggestions when she tells them on the first day that she has to think of a name. Finally through a new friendship and the support of her teacher and classmates she comes to realize that her name is just perfect.
Jan 27, 2012
Kristie
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This book is a beautiful example of how each individual is special. It reveals that being yourself is not only good enough, but it also inspires others. This would be a great read aloud for any type of classroom. Diverse classrooms could directly relate, but classrooms that are not diverse could also see an example of if a diverse student ever did come to their class, how that student might feel.
Jul 23, 2011
Theresa
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found on a list of great picture books for kids, a new girl in a new school on the opposite side of the world feels pressure because of her name being different and claimes she has not name, a little boy in class be friends her and finds out her name means something special, his friendship shows her to love her own name and to share her culture with others.
Feb 18, 2010
Joey
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Unhei is Korean and new to America. When the kids at school have trouble pronouncing her name, Unhei decides she wants an American name so she'll be like everyone else. The kids in her class make a name jar for her and put their favourite names in the jar for Unhei to pick from but none of the names sound or feel right to her. In the end, Unhei decides to choose her own name and teaches the kids how to properly say it.
The ending was so sweet, I actually teared up while reading the More...
The ending was so sweet, I actually teared up while reading the More...
Dec 12, 2011
Melissa
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This book tells about a young girl, Unhei, who just moved to the United States and she wants to come up with a different name because she was made fun of. This story is so good because at the end of the book the whole class tried to help her come up with a different name, but one boy told her he loved her original name and to not change it.
Aug 11, 2011
Margaret Boling
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8/11/2011 ** I read it again this year; the kids clapped when I finished. They were really intrigued with the fact that Unhei's father was never mentioned. They speculated on whether her parents were divorced, about whether the father had to stay in Korea, or if he'd died. My favorite comment was that he might be in a cemetery. A significant chunk of my 4th graders have family, including parents, in other states or even countries for military deployments and for work. Many could relate to Unh
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Jan 20, 2012
Hatka
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The book The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi serves as a good book to read when new students who do not speak English enter a new classroom. The story can also be used to address family structure within different cultures. The book can also be good to read on the first day of school, especially in a multicultural classroom.
Jan 24, 2011
Ashely
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I Think The Name Jar Was AMAZING!!!Thats Whyy Imm Addingg It To Myy Bookss and It Was Some Wordss I Didnt Knoww Butt I Tryedd To Sayy Themmm Anddd Thee Nammeee Jarr Wasss Aboutt A Girll Fromm Korean her name was Unhei.Her Familyy Movedd To America.It Was Unhei Frist Day Of Schooll Andd Shee Was Nervous and Excited.
May 15, 2010
Connie
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Unhei is a little taken aback when the other students misunderstand her name and tease her about it. So she decides to get an American name.
On and on, she talks to various people, she shows kids her name stamp, she collects name suggestions, and eventually she decides to keep her own name. (What a surprise.)
It's a very predictable story. Nice illustrations and well told for what it is, but nothing is exactly going to surprise you here.
On and on, she talks to various people, she shows kids her name stamp, she collects name suggestions, and eventually she decides to keep her own name. (What a surprise.)
It's a very predictable story. Nice illustrations and well told for what it is, but nothing is exactly going to surprise you here.
Apr 24, 2011
Lauren
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I used this book for my second read-aloud with my first graders and they seemed to really enjoy it. I was fond of the story because it's helpful to help incorporate the discussion of diversity with students. It's also beneficial for students accepting themselves and embracing their differences!
Apr 08, 2011
Jayna
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Unhei is a new student from Korea, who is uncomfortable with her name and people mispronouncing it. While deciding what American name she wants, she discovers a surprising acceptance by others and herself. This is a good story about being proud of what/who/how you are!
May 24, 2011
Barbara
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Although it's a little lengthy for your typcial picture book, the story is an important one-- who we are as defined by our names. It's an important message for teachers--a reminder that everyone's name is important to that individual.
Apr 10, 2011
Christian
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Great book to teach children about being able to adapt to new environments while still being yourself. I would probably use this book within the first day of class or when a new student arrives within the school year.
Aug 27, 2010
Jade
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This book is excellent for teachers to introduce to their students on the first day of school. The name jar will help with learning your students name and getting to know them. Great for a first day of class ICEBREAKER!!!!!!
Apr 19, 2011
Brittnee
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This is a great book for reading on the first day of school and to show that students that every child is different. it can show students originality and how they should get to know somebody before they judge them.
Aug 26, 2010
Sharmin
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This book was so precious! I remember dealing with difficulties with my name as a young child and it took so many years to understand that your name has been given to you as a gift and you should be proud of it!
