The Last Fallen Star (Gifted Clans #1)

by Graci Kim

When a gifted child turns one hundred days old, the Gi cauldron assesses the witch’s elemental balance and forges her Gi. Parents then keep the Gi safe until the child is old enough to start training for her initiation ceremony on her thirteenth birthday.

When Korean kids turn 100 days old, we have a Baek-il celebration - kind of like an early birthday party. It originates from a time when newborns often didn't make it past the first few months of life. Making the milestone of 100 days meant that you were finally old enough to greet the world (and your loved ones) properly! Then on one's 1st birthday, we do a Doljabi. This is a Korean tradition where the baby grabs from a selection of symbolic items, and the thing they pick is supposed to foretell the life they'll grow up to lead. Picking the long string means they'll have a long life. The calligraphy brush means they'll be creative and perhaps lead a scholarly/literary career (this is what I picked!). The mapae (a medallion that was used by government officials in the Joseon dynasty) foretells a life of high status and rank. These days, people even include modern day symbols like soccer balls, stethoscopes, mics, and money into the mix! In The Last Fallen Star, I merged these two traditions together to create the Gi ceremony, where a gifted witch finds out her missing element to allow her a life of magic. If you had a Doljabi on your 1st birthday, what symbolic item do you think you would've picked? :) (Side note: The Last Fallen Star has been nominated for a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award! If you enjoyed the book and want to vote, I'd love your support! https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-childrens-books-2021)