Last week I missed MMGM, but for a very good reason!  We were otherwise occupied.  My son, who has decided to serve a two year mission for our church, received his letter last Monday telling him where he’d be going.  Since he (and we) leave that entirely up to the church and have no knowledge ahead of time where it might be, this is kind of a big deal.  For two years he’ll be fully immersed in the country, speaking the native language and serving where needed.

We guessed all kinds of places he might go, ranging from Australia to…Nebraska.  That one kept coming up.  But, he’ll actually be going to South Korea!  More specifically, Seoul and the area around it.  Woot, woot!

How appropriate, then, that I’ve been reading the wonderful tales gathered in Korean Children’s Favorite Stories, by Kim So-un!  I’m just brilliant that way, I guess. 😉

Some might say these kind of gathered folk tales don’t belong in a middle grade spotlight, but I happen to believe they do.  There are so many things for kids to learn from these folk tales!  Simply being exposed to a different view of the world and what a story should include can open eyes.  This is especially true of tales like The Green Leaf, which might strike western-bred kids as odd.  But, it’s also true of stories like The Great Flood, which has similarities to our older Cinderella stories, but is about a boy.  Of course, there are other differences, but this one change can deeply impact a child’s view of their world and their place in it.  You can almost hear the wheels in their heads turning: a princess story…about a special prince-like boy?  They can do that?  But, at the end of the day, the most compelling reason to read them is they’re fun!

Let’s see if the Apricot-kitty doesn’t agree with me:

“I liked how there were so many tigers in the stories–lots and lots of tigers!  However, too often the tigers got in trouble.  Why was that?  It’s not like cats are known for causing trouble.”

Hmm, maybe I’d best not respond to that. 😉  Next week’s spotlight will be on the recently released Audrey (cow), and will see me writing from our new house.  Here’s hoping all goes well, and I don’t drop the computer off the back of the truck or anything.  Wishing you all a great week!

For more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spotlights, interviews and giveaways, check out Shannon Messengers blog, and happy reading!

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