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آتش و دریا
گروه سنی ج هربار که بر یکی از کوههای اژدها آتش روشن میشد، بر کوه بعدی نیز آتشی دیده میشد و همینطور بر کوههای بعدی تا قصر حاکم. آنگاه حاکم میدانست که مرزداران او بیدارند و هیچ دشمنی از سوی دریا به سرزمین آنها حمله نکرده است. اما یک شب هیچ آتشی بر نخستین کوه روشن نشد و بیم آن میرفت که حاکم همه سربازانش را برای دفاع از آن سرزمین روانه سازد تا اینکه… .
40 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2004
9 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Linda Sue Park
72 books1,195 followersLinda Sue Park is a Korean American author of children's fiction. Park published her first novel, Seesaw Girl, in 1999. To date, she has written six children’s novels and five picture books for younger readers. Park’s work achieved prominence when she received the prestigious 2002 Newbery Medal for her novel A Single Shard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 23, 2012
The Firekeeper’s Son by Linda Sue Park is about a little boy living in Korea during the 1800’s. Sang-hee (the protagonist) watches his Dad light the fire that will let the King know that they are safe from intruders. If the fire does not get lit, then the King would send out the soldiers to save the people from harm. One night, Sang-hee’s father is hurt and can’t light the fire. Therefore, it is up to Sang-hee to take on the responsibility of lighting the fire to communicate with the King’s soldiers. The little boy struggles with his strong desire to see the soldiers with their amazing force, or do what is right by lighting the fire.
As a reader, we witness the amazing system of defense and communication by people living in this rural area. The watercolor illustrations by Julie Downing really capture the inner turmoil of Sang-hee’s indecision. The message of this story is clear; it is more important to do what is right and take care of the people in the town than to fulfill personal dreams.
This story would work well for K-2 classrooms. The story might be used to show past forms of communication before our high tech lives, rural life in Korea or to teach character education with making the best choice for everyone. Also, the illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the text and children can learn about how pictures help to tell the full story. I recommend this story!
As a reader, we witness the amazing system of defense and communication by people living in this rural area. The watercolor illustrations by Julie Downing really capture the inner turmoil of Sang-hee’s indecision. The message of this story is clear; it is more important to do what is right and take care of the people in the town than to fulfill personal dreams.
This story would work well for K-2 classrooms. The story might be used to show past forms of communication before our high tech lives, rural life in Korea or to teach character education with making the best choice for everyone. Also, the illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the text and children can learn about how pictures help to tell the full story. I recommend this story!
July 18, 2010
The Fire Keeper’s Son by Linda Sue Park
Illustrated by Julie Downing
37p Published by Clarion Books 2004
K-3
This story is set in Korea in the 1800’s. Although the main character Sang-Hee is fictional, the bonfire system in Korea was real. In this story each day at sunset, Sang-Hee’s father must climb the mountain to light a fire, which tells the next firekeeper on the next mountain to light his fire. This pattern continues until all the fires are lit in the province. The king could then tell by the lit fires that all was well in his land, and they had not been invaded. If there were no fires lit, the king would send soldiers. One evening Sang-Hee’s father does not light the fire, because he fell and hurt his ankle on his way up the mountain. Sang-Hee, who is intrigued with soldiers, must run on ahead and light the fire. Although he would like the king to send just one soldier, Sang-Hee carries out his task and is able to kindle the fire. The illustrations by Downing are soft watercolors that richly complement Park’s words and create a beautiful depiction of the gentle world where Sang-Hee lives.
This story would be a wonderful addition to a geography unit featuring Korea or its history, as it is a work of historical fiction. I also listened to this, and it would be nice to play for a class.
Illustrated by Julie Downing
37p Published by Clarion Books 2004
K-3
This story is set in Korea in the 1800’s. Although the main character Sang-Hee is fictional, the bonfire system in Korea was real. In this story each day at sunset, Sang-Hee’s father must climb the mountain to light a fire, which tells the next firekeeper on the next mountain to light his fire. This pattern continues until all the fires are lit in the province. The king could then tell by the lit fires that all was well in his land, and they had not been invaded. If there were no fires lit, the king would send soldiers. One evening Sang-Hee’s father does not light the fire, because he fell and hurt his ankle on his way up the mountain. Sang-Hee, who is intrigued with soldiers, must run on ahead and light the fire. Although he would like the king to send just one soldier, Sang-Hee carries out his task and is able to kindle the fire. The illustrations by Downing are soft watercolors that richly complement Park’s words and create a beautiful depiction of the gentle world where Sang-Hee lives.
This story would be a wonderful addition to a geography unit featuring Korea or its history, as it is a work of historical fiction. I also listened to this, and it would be nice to play for a class.
May 30, 2012
Sang-hee lives in a quiet village where not much seems to happen. Every night his father scans the sea for enemy ships and if the coast is clear he lights a fire on the mountain. Another person on a nearby mountain does the same thing and the pattern continues until roughly 8 bonfires are lit and they reach the King's palace letting him know that the land is safe from enemies. One night it looks like the fire is not going to be lit. Sang-hee's mom knows the coast is free of enemies and thinks something has happened to Sang-hee's father. She sends him up the mountain where he finds his dad with a broken ankle. It is up to Sang-hee to light the fire. Except Sang-hee secretly wants to see the palace soldiers and knows if he doesn't light the fire they will come to fight the enemy. Sang-hee must decide whether to be responsible or not. Will he light the fire or not?
This is based on the bonfire signal communications used in Korea during the 1800s. The writing is descriptive and suspenseful. Older, as well as younger, students will like this book. Themes about being responsible and contributing to a community can be discussed. There is a clear story line with a climax that can be used to teach story mountains. The character struggles internally with his decision to light the fire or not. A good mentor text.
Reading Level 3.0
This is based on the bonfire signal communications used in Korea during the 1800s. The writing is descriptive and suspenseful. Older, as well as younger, students will like this book. Themes about being responsible and contributing to a community can be discussed. There is a clear story line with a climax that can be used to teach story mountains. The character struggles internally with his decision to light the fire or not. A good mentor text.
Reading Level 3.0
May 26, 2012
This is a story set in the early 1800s in Korea about a young boy, Sang-hee, and the lesson he learns about growing up. Sang-hee’s father plays a critical role in their Korean village near the sea; he is a Firekeeper. Each night, he climbs a mountain and lights a flame to let the next Firekeeper in the chain know there is no danger (such as enemy forces) coming in from the sea. The chain of bonfires eventually reaches the King’s palace. If the King sees the fires, he knows all is well, whereas if there is only darkness, he knows he must send soldiers out.
One night the fire goes unlit and Sang-hee’s father never arrives home. Sang-hee knows something is wrong and runs up the mountain to find his father, who has broken his ankle. He charges his son with the important obligation of lighting the flame. Sang-hee wants to see the King's soldiers very badly, but must make the responsible choice.
This interesting story has much to teach children, not only about trust and duty, but even how communication used to take place before the days of radio, television, and the internet.
The watercolor-and-pastel double-page pictures by Julia Downing lend a magical quality to the night scenes.
One night the fire goes unlit and Sang-hee’s father never arrives home. Sang-hee knows something is wrong and runs up the mountain to find his father, who has broken his ankle. He charges his son with the important obligation of lighting the flame. Sang-hee wants to see the King's soldiers very badly, but must make the responsible choice.
This interesting story has much to teach children, not only about trust and duty, but even how communication used to take place before the days of radio, television, and the internet.
The watercolor-and-pastel double-page pictures by Julia Downing lend a magical quality to the night scenes.
February 27, 2013
I listened to this book as an audiobook accompanied by the picture book.
Taking place in early 1800 Korea, Sang-hee's father has the important job of watching the shoreline and lighting a fire on the mountaintop to signal to neighboring areas that the land is safe from invaders. He learns that on mountaintops across the land fires are lit to send the message of peace to the king and his soldiers. When Sang-hee discovers that the fire is not lit and his father has become injured, he must decide whether to light the fire himself or allow the soldiers to be sent his way (something he longs to see).
The audio of this book had a chime for the turn of each page, which would be helpful for children reading at a listening center, but felt a bit distracting to the story.
Also, I wondered about the authenticity of the story. The author, Linda Sue Park, has a note at the back of the book that discusses her sources and changes that she made to make the tradition of lighting fires as a form of sending messages easier for young readers to follow. Since I don't have much background in the tradition, I would have to do more research before presenting this to students so that I could add any needed background knowledge.
Taking place in early 1800 Korea, Sang-hee's father has the important job of watching the shoreline and lighting a fire on the mountaintop to signal to neighboring areas that the land is safe from invaders. He learns that on mountaintops across the land fires are lit to send the message of peace to the king and his soldiers. When Sang-hee discovers that the fire is not lit and his father has become injured, he must decide whether to light the fire himself or allow the soldiers to be sent his way (something he longs to see).
The audio of this book had a chime for the turn of each page, which would be helpful for children reading at a listening center, but felt a bit distracting to the story.
Also, I wondered about the authenticity of the story. The author, Linda Sue Park, has a note at the back of the book that discusses her sources and changes that she made to make the tradition of lighting fires as a form of sending messages easier for young readers to follow. Since I don't have much background in the tradition, I would have to do more research before presenting this to students so that I could add any needed background knowledge.
May 23, 2018
Doing the right thing is sometimes hard but you need to consider others at all times. We thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's a simple picture book but really makes you stop and contemplate...krb 5/23/18
December 2, 2021
A wonderful children’s short story about a father and a son being part of the King’s guards entrusted with lighting fires to signal that an enemy is forthcoming. They are known as “fire keepers”.
October 20, 2014
The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park is an amazing example of historical fiction. This story is about a young boy in a village in Korea. His father tells him that they are in a very important village but Sang-hee cannot tell why that might be. His father shows him that every night he lights a fire on top of their mountain and made it so big that the fire could be seen from the next mountain in the next village over. Then the second village lit their fire so that the third village could see it, and it continued all the way to the palace so that the King knew that all was well in the kingdom. This is very important because Sang-hee's father always lit the first fire. He started the train to the kingdom. One day the fire was not lit on time and Sang-hee ran to find his father. His father had been injured so Sang-hee had to light the fire for him. For a moment he hesitated. Should he leave the fire dark so that the soldiers would come and he could finally meet them? Sang-hee had a choice and after he chose his father told him that he would be the next firekeeper. This made Sang-hee happy and know that he made the right choice.
I think that this story teaches children that doing the right thing always works out in your favor. Do not be selfish, do things for the good of the majority instead of only for yourself and you will be rewarded in the end. The pictures in this story are full bleed, detailed illustrations that truly emphasize what the text is saying. The text and illustrations parallel each other and I think that this enhances the readers experience. The text is always easy to read and is in either black or white ink depending on the color of the background illustration. There is no white space in this story which is good.
This story was told in Korea in a time era when there were still Korean soldiers in the kingdom and the fires were actually used. This was in the early 1800s. I learned even more information about this story and its history from the author's note at the end. I think that this is a cool way to explain even more of the story without having to take up too much space in the actual text of the story itself. I would recommend this story to teach about Korean history.
I think that this story teaches children that doing the right thing always works out in your favor. Do not be selfish, do things for the good of the majority instead of only for yourself and you will be rewarded in the end. The pictures in this story are full bleed, detailed illustrations that truly emphasize what the text is saying. The text and illustrations parallel each other and I think that this enhances the readers experience. The text is always easy to read and is in either black or white ink depending on the color of the background illustration. There is no white space in this story which is good.
This story was told in Korea in a time era when there were still Korean soldiers in the kingdom and the fires were actually used. This was in the early 1800s. I learned even more information about this story and its history from the author's note at the end. I think that this is a cool way to explain even more of the story without having to take up too much space in the actual text of the story itself. I would recommend this story to teach about Korean history.
January 30, 2011
Set in the early 1800's, The Firekeeper's Son tells the story of Sang-hee, a young Korean boy, who must help his father light the fires that signal all is well. If the fires are not lit the soldiers will come. Sang-hee would like to see the brave soldiers. He is faced with whether he should do the right thing or not.
Park describes the peninsula that Sang-hee and his family live on. The huts that they live in are made of wood and mud. The mountains look like the humps of a dragon. We take from the story that being a firekeeper is a very noble job. Park gives us historical information at the end of the book. She tells us that the lighting of the fires signals all is well in the land. Park tells the reader that from the palace, the King would know if there was trouble in any of his provinces if a fire was not lit. The soldiers would be dispatched if a fire was not lit.
The Firekeeper's Son is a story of honor, duty and pride. Although written for children 5-8, I believe that there is so much learning that can be done with an older audience. Geography: Where is Korea?, What is a peninsula? Responsibility: How do you show responsibility? How do Sang-hee and his father show it? Relationships: What is the relationship between Sang-hee and his father? History: What is the history of the signal fire?
This is a wonderful book to read aloud. The illustrations by Julie Downing are fabulous as well. She uses water color-and-pastel painting to create 18th century Korea.
Park describes the peninsula that Sang-hee and his family live on. The huts that they live in are made of wood and mud. The mountains look like the humps of a dragon. We take from the story that being a firekeeper is a very noble job. Park gives us historical information at the end of the book. She tells us that the lighting of the fires signals all is well in the land. Park tells the reader that from the palace, the King would know if there was trouble in any of his provinces if a fire was not lit. The soldiers would be dispatched if a fire was not lit.
The Firekeeper's Son is a story of honor, duty and pride. Although written for children 5-8, I believe that there is so much learning that can be done with an older audience. Geography: Where is Korea?, What is a peninsula? Responsibility: How do you show responsibility? How do Sang-hee and his father show it? Relationships: What is the relationship between Sang-hee and his father? History: What is the history of the signal fire?
This is a wonderful book to read aloud. The illustrations by Julie Downing are fabulous as well. She uses water color-and-pastel painting to create 18th century Korea.
January 28, 2009
This book reminds me a lot of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. In each book,a child is called upon in an emergency to do a job the parent normally does but cannot do this time. Both young people showed courage, but Abbie, unlike Sang-hee, had no doubts as to what she will try to do and is determined to succeed from the beginning. Sang-hee almost wishes the fire would not light so that he could see the soldiers who will come if the signal fire is not lit. He daydreams and thinks of how he will explain to the soldiers why the fire would not light, as the first two of his three coals don't succeed in lighting the kindling. He only really gets motivated to succeed when he knows there is only one more chance -- one coal left, which he can almost hear begging him to light the fire. His third attempt barely catches, but it does start a fire that signals the firekeeper on the next hill to light his fire, and so on down the line so that king will see the fire on the last hill from his palace and know that no enemy is coming from the sea and all is well.
The illustrations by Julie Downing in this book definitely enhance this story and make it special.
The illustrations by Julie Downing in this book definitely enhance this story and make it special.
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April 29, 2009The Firekeepers son is a story about a young boy in Korea who is needed to help the land he lives in. Sang-Hee was the son of the Firekeeper. The Firekeepers job was to light a fire on top of the highest mountain every night. He would have to light a fire big enough for the next town to see so they could light there fire. The reason they did this is because all the fires would be lit until the final fire that the king would see let him know all was well in the land. If the fire did not make it to the kings palace he knew there was trouble and would send an army to go help the others in the land. Sang-Hee watched his father light the fire for years, but he wished just once that he would be able to see the soldiers. One night while finishing up his evening chores he noticed that the fire was not lit. He showed his mom and she demanded he went to the mountain to look for his father. After running as far as he could he found his father with a hurt ankle. The father instructed him to light the fire tonight. While atop the hill Sang-Hee debated lighting the fire so he could see the soldiers.
November 2, 2009
This story is set in 19th-century Korea. It is based upon an actual bonfire signal system. Each night, when Sang-hee's father sees that the ocean is free of enemies he signals to the King. He does this by climbing the mountain to light his fire. The fire will travel to the peak closest to the palace and this will notify the King that everything is alright. Sang-hee has to do this alone when his father breaks his ankle. He goes into the darkness with a bucket of burning coals. The boy stops for a moment to think about his desire to see the king's soldiers. As the story continues the father shares memories he had when he was a child and he tells his son that he is proud of him.
The pictures in this story are beautiful. I also really liked the way that this town in Korea sent messages to the King. A lot of discussion could be had in the classroom. Students would have to realize what time was like before email and cell phones. Things were very different then. Students will be captivated by the illustrations and see Sang-hee's responsibility and bravery.
This is my non-print text.
The pictures in this story are beautiful. I also really liked the way that this town in Korea sent messages to the King. A lot of discussion could be had in the classroom. Students would have to realize what time was like before email and cell phones. Things were very different then. Students will be captivated by the illustrations and see Sang-hee's responsibility and bravery.
This is my non-print text.
December 3, 2013
The main reason why I picked up this book in the first place is because I have an international student from South Korea as my roommate this year. I am constantly trying to find information about her culture, as well as talking to her about how our cultures similar and different. When I picked up this book and saw that it was based in Korea, I thought it would be an excellent way to read a children's perspective on other cultures, and this book did just that. I was so pleased with how the author told the story of the how the fires were lit at the tops of the mountains in order to keep the area of Korea where the story takes place safe. I was so thrilled with this book that I also read it to my roommate who was surprised by how accurate the information in the story was. She thought it was a great example of her culture and an excellent way to depict it to American students.
I would recommend that children from 2nd grade to 4th grade would like this book. The younger students, such as the ones in 2nd grade may need this book read to them while 4th graders could read it on their own.
I would recommend that children from 2nd grade to 4th grade would like this book. The younger students, such as the ones in 2nd grade may need this book read to them while 4th graders could read it on their own.
October 24, 2017
This story takes place in Korea during the 1800s. It's a great book to show young children what life was like in another country during a rural area in a completely different time (pre-technology era). For young children who will be listening to an adult reading this book, they will be captured by the watercolor illustrations and paintings as the illustrations captured Sang-hee's (main character) determination to take care of his townspeople. He took care of his townspeople by lighting a fire - the King knew his people were safe from intruders if a fire was lit. Sang-hee's father could not fulfill his duty to light the fire, so it was up to Sang-hee to save his townspeople. This story conveys a strong message of courage, leadership, and sacrifice. Sang-hee put his own desires to the side (the soldiers' lives and work interested him so he wanted to see what they did) in order to carry out his father's task to climb up a mountain to light his fire. Just like Sang-hee, young students will make sacrifices here and there.
April 11, 2015
This book is based on a true story about a tradition in Korea. The story is about a boy whose father was in charge of lighting the fire every day at the top of the mountain, this boy accompany his father every night to help him. The fire represents that there is peace at the village and everything is alright, is a message to the king so he can help a village if they have a problem. One day the fire was not lighted up at the time it was supposed to, the boy got worried and went on grabbed everything he needed to light it up. On his way up he found his father hurt so he went up by himself and saved the day.
I enjoyed this book very much because it has a lot of meaning. It talks about responsibility, respect for parents and respecting your country and its traditions. It’s a good example for all children and teaches valuable lessons.
I enjoyed this book very much because it has a lot of meaning. It talks about responsibility, respect for parents and respecting your country and its traditions. It’s a good example for all children and teaches valuable lessons.
December 27, 2015
It's the time of year for traditions, and while this is a "needed" one, tradition it is from the country of Korea. Lighting a fire on the highest peak is what Sang-hee's father does each night, proclaiming that all is well in his village by the sea. When the next mountain's fire keeper sees that fire, he lights his own, on mountains until the king sees the final fire and knows no enemy is coming to attack. Linda Sue Park has fictionalized the history by telling of a young boy who must go to his father's aid because his father fell on the way to making the fire. Full color pages make the story come to life in this story of responsibility and pride. Children might be interested in the extra back matter Park shares. She could not find the date for the beginning, but did write that the fires were still being lit in the late nineteenth century.
November 1, 2008
CIP Summary: "In early-19th-century Korea, after Sang-hee's father injures his ankle, Sang-hee attempts to take over the task of lighting the evening fire, which signals to the palace that all is well."
Beautifully written and illustrated picture book from Linda Sue Park. After just finishing A Single Shard, I enjoyed reading this book by the same author. The story is one I have heard about before, but I like that it is narrated from the boy's point of view. The author was able to show how the boy grew from boyish thoughts of just wanting to see soldiers to a more mature thought of responsibility to his father, village, and king. A book I think younger children could appreciate and read to themselves. A Single Shard would be a book I would read aloud to third graders.
Beautifully written and illustrated picture book from Linda Sue Park. After just finishing A Single Shard, I enjoyed reading this book by the same author. The story is one I have heard about before, but I like that it is narrated from the boy's point of view. The author was able to show how the boy grew from boyish thoughts of just wanting to see soldiers to a more mature thought of responsibility to his father, village, and king. A book I think younger children could appreciate and read to themselves. A Single Shard would be a book I would read aloud to third graders.
February 7, 2010
Dreamy watercolors tell this Korean tale set in the early 1800s. A young boy is in awe of his father's job as a firekeeper. Every evening he heads to the top of their town's mountain to light a special signal fire which lets the king know that their town is safe and out of harms way. One evening, Sang-hee waits for a fire that doesn't come and he must take his fathers place. For a moment, he ponders whether or not to light the fire and the consequences of that choice. Any young boy would love to see the king's soldiers. Will Sang-hee make the right choice and light the signal fire?
This book won the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association award for Illustration in Children's Literature.
This book won the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association award for Illustration in Children's Literature.
September 16, 2013
This book would give students insight into how some cultures prevent danger from entering their lands. Although the boy in the story was not a real person, the method of lighting fires on four mountains is accurate because it was used in Korea. In addition to providing information to students about a different culture, students will also learn the importance of being loyal to your family. When the boy's father injures himself and cannot make it to the top of the mountain to light the fire, Sang-hee takes over and faces the dilemma of meeting the soldiers (that will come if the fire is not lit in case of danger) or go through with this important task. In the end Sang-hee shows loyalty to his father by doing what is expected of him and becoming the next firekeeper for his village.
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December 9, 2016Type: historical fiction/picture book/ fiction
Summary: This book is about a young boy who lives in a village and talks about how his father says this village is very important. The boy doesn't know at first until later on he understands the importance of this village. Each night his father goes up and lights the fire which creates a chain reaction with the other villages ahead. This lets the emperor know that everyone is safe and is not under attack.
I would use this book to introduce to the students the importance of one point event to the other and would happen if the person was unable to light it on fire. This also can teach or introduce students to different cultures that they are unfamiliar with.
I enjoyed this book and would read it to the class and have this on my shelf.
Summary: This book is about a young boy who lives in a village and talks about how his father says this village is very important. The boy doesn't know at first until later on he understands the importance of this village. Each night his father goes up and lights the fire which creates a chain reaction with the other villages ahead. This lets the emperor know that everyone is safe and is not under attack.
I would use this book to introduce to the students the importance of one point event to the other and would happen if the person was unable to light it on fire. This also can teach or introduce students to different cultures that they are unfamiliar with.
I enjoyed this book and would read it to the class and have this on my shelf.
November 5, 2008
CIP summary: "In early 19th century Korea, after Sang-hee's father injures his ankle, Sang-hee attempts to take over the task of lighting the evening fire, which signals to the palace that all is well."
This is a great companion book to A Single Shard by the same author. I had no idea about the history behind this story. It is really interesting to learn that this village in the hills would light fires on all the mountain tops to tell the palace that there is no danger. If no fires were lit, then the palace would know to attack. This is also a story about how a young boy takes responsibility too.
This is a great companion book to A Single Shard by the same author. I had no idea about the history behind this story. It is really interesting to learn that this village in the hills would light fires on all the mountain tops to tell the palace that there is no danger. If no fires were lit, then the palace would know to attack. This is also a story about how a young boy takes responsibility too.
April 16, 2018
Most nights, a little boy helps his father light a fire atop a mountain so that the land of Korea knows they are safe. One night however, the little boy notices that his father hasn't started the fire. What can this mean? A story about bravery and responsibility.
Ages: 4 - 8
#geography #asia #korea
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 4 - 8
#geography #asia #korea
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
February 20, 2012
This book includes historical notes about Korea.Sang-Hee's father climbs a mountain each evening to light a fire that signals the firekeeper on the next mountain, who signals the next firekeeper and so on. When the king inthe palace is able to see the fire on the nearest peak, that means there is trouble; and the king will send soldiers. Set in Korea inthe early 1800's, this story tells of a young boy's moment of decision.
March 29, 2011
This is a great historical fiction book for kids. Can be used with a unit on Asia. It is about a kid named Sang-Hee who has to be brave and do his father's job when his father falls and hurts his ankle. He now has to light the bonfire on top of the hill to signal to the king that their town is not in danger every night. This is is based on true events that actually happened in Korea. Kids will be fascinated by this ancient communication form.
September 11, 2012
This is a great story to use for students that are from Korea to see if they can make a connection. It is a fiction book. It explains the story about how the people had to put a fire every night to show the king that there is no danger. At the end of the story, the child must take the responsibility to light the fire. It is a great book to show that sometimes a child can take a big responsibility.
October 24, 2012
I love this story. The Firekeeper's Son is a story about a young boy, the son of his village's Firekeeper, whose job is to light the nightly fire on the mountain top to get the messages to the king that all is well in his kingdom. But one night his father's fire does not light and the boy must take the responsibility of lighting the fire into his own hands. It's a great story of overcoming his fantasy of seeing warriors and learning the value of peace.
June 8, 2013
Interesting true story about the lighting of the bonfires each night in Korea. When Sang-he’s father is unable to light the fire on the mountain to tell the land that all was peaceful, he is forced to make a decision. Should he light the fire or let the mountain remain dark, which might bring the soldiers he so desperately want to see. After choosing the right path, his father reminds him their job, as guard is just as important to the country as the soldiers he admires.
May 9, 2010
In the old days Korea sent messages to the king by lighting signal fires on the mountaintops. The young son of a Korean firekeeper must rise to the challenge of doing what would be exciting and fun or what is truly required of a firekeeper one night when his father is hurt and cannot walk to the mountain top. Nice little tale of self control and responsibility.
June 10, 2012
Fairy tale like story based on the historical fact that bonfires were lit as a signal system in Korea in the early 1800's.(Not known when they were first used.) Fires were lit on one mountain hump and the next seeing it would light theirs, all the distance to the king's palace so he was assured every night that all was well.
It was a complicated system and still used in late 19th century. messages by this means could also relate which province (of eight) was being attacked and the size of the enemy.
It was a complicated system and still used in late 19th century. messages by this means could also relate which province (of eight) was being attacked and the size of the enemy.
September 26, 2009
Sang-hee has watched his father climb to the top of the mountain and light a fire every night. The fire signals to the next mountain to light their fire, and so on. Once the king has seen the fire he knows that his land is safe. Sang-hee know that when no fires are lit there is trouble and soldiers will be send by the king. Soliders are something this boy wishes to see, even though that means trouble is around.
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