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When Robinson was seven years old, her mother and grandmother put her on a plane from Korea to America to be adopted by American parents. Raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Robinson grows up in a caring (though somewhat troubled) family but doesn't learn about her Korean heritage. At the age of 27, Robinson decides to seek out her parents...
Discussion Questions:
- Share with the group your general feelings about this book -- the author's voice and style.
- Has adoption touched your life in any way? If so, can you share with us how? And, how is your story different or similar to Katy's?
- Much is made of photographs throughout the book. The title refers to the "single square picture" that kept Katy focused on her goal of reconnecting with her Korean mother and grandmother. The picture of Katy with these two women at the airport on the day her life changed forever, kept a hope alive for Katy. Do photographs have any such pull on you?
- The author introduces us to some of the culture, cuisine, traditional garments and celebrations of her native land. Do you think these added or detracted from her story?
- Peppered throughout the book are various letters to and from Katy. The authors of these letters are several. Did the letters make for smooth transitions and help to fill in some of the blanks? Or did they cause some confusion for you?
- Have you ever been somewhere that caused you to feel like an "inside-outsider?" It needn't mean being in a foreign land....
- What thoughts came to mind as you viewed the photographs in the book?
- What are some of the features of sibling relationships that you found interesting, sad, unique, or oh so familiar as Katy shared her interactions with her brother, sister, sister-in-law, etc?
- There are several thought-provoking statements made by the author. Did you find any of them that spoke to you? Have you shared similar thoughts with her? Can you point the group to one that was significant to you ? One that caused you to take pause? Or to journal? Or to just re-read over and over?
For starters, here are two that practically danced right off the page and into my heart:
- (pg 119 in my trade paperback copy) "I wasn't sure which role to play -- that of a dutiful Korean daughter or myself. In him, I wanted the father of my childhood dreams, but also an adult friend who would accept me for who I was. We struggled to find the middle ground where we could start our relationship anew."
You don't have to be an adopted child who finds her birth parents to experience this sort of conflict and longing. Did anyone find herself saying "I know just what you mean, Katy" as this was read?
- (pg294) "What is it about a childhood fantasy that makes it so hard to let go of?"
Do you still have a childhood fantasy - with or without a photograph to help perpetuate the fantasy?
Journaling on these childhood fantasies AND on the question of WHY are they so tenacious has awakened all sorts of thoughts, feelings, emotions inside of me... try it!
Last updated: 10/18/03
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