A Rose in a Ditch

by Julie Henning

From an alley in Korea to the green hills of Bucks County, this is an Ameriasian girl’s story of Divine Care through poverty to life in America. Post-war South Korea was a lonely place for Goo Sooni, a mixed-race girl determined to survive poverty, starvation and discrimination and make her loving mother proud of her. Sooni became Julie. And, although her birth mother, Jung Song Ja, never lived to see the beautiful rose Julie became, two other mothers – Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck and Jean Price – raised Julie to stand tall where God planted her. This amazing story of God’s endless love and grace, A Rose in a Ditch, is a memoir written by Julie Henning who was raised as Pearl Buck’s daughter.

Genres: Biography, Adoption, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

171 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2019

Reviews

[Drake Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring testimony from Julie Henning, an Amerasian who was very disadvantaged. A reader will gain appreciation for the plight of Amerasians in Korea. Values such as commitment to family, commitment to life, and gratitude pour through this testimony. The book is very positive.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and learned more about Pearl Buck .

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A truly inspirational story of faith, perseverance, and family. Julie Henning was born in Korea to a Korean mom and an American GI. She never knew her father. Consequently Julie and her mom struggled with poverty, hunger, and discrimination. Her mother longed for Julie to be educated and adopted into an American family.

Through faith and fate, Julie was adopted by author Pearl S. Buck in Pennsylvania. Her life changed immeasurably and found a family, religion, and stability.

Choppy in parts with numerous grammatical and spelling errors, A Rose in a Ditch would have benefitted from an editor’s review. Usually errors in books (and all books have one or two) don’t bother me, but the excessive amount detracted from her story’s message (for me). An admirable woman, I’m sure she is lovely and full of grace in person. Her story could be told more beneficially with the necessary revisions.

2 1/2 - 3 stars.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie Henning shares her honest thoughts, feelings, and motivations growing up as an outcast Ameriasian in South Korea, coming to study in Pennsylvania through the outreach of Pearl S. Buck, and finally coming to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Julie could have used a little more details in keeping her story smooth chronologically instead of occasionally switching between memories.

[Xyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Henning. She is an amazing woman and after reading her story, I admire her even more.

I'm sure there is much more she could share with us about her life and experiences. This glimpse is perfect and heart wrenching.

Mrs. Henning helps her readers understand the plight of Amerasian children.

Her story is amazing. I highly suggest reading it.

[Barbara Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julie’s story is beautiful but I gave only 3 stars because the book needed professional editing. The errors were distracting.

[Edie Asbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this autobiography helped me understand the plight of the poor and mixed race outcasts in a South Korean culture. Julie was brought to the U.S. to live with Pearl S. Buck as a teenager, converted from Buddhism to the Christian faith, married and raised a family, and taught math in the Souderton school district for many years. The author was a speaker at a church librarians' meeting I attended, and she is an inspiration to everyone she meets.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Julie is a beautiful soul and an inspiration. Her faith and love for others were so inspiring. Life was definitely not easy for her but she treasured the kindness of others and love she was shown even as she faced tragic losses, immeasurable challenges and numerous other hardships. I found her story very moving, eloquently written and deeply rooted in God’s grace. I was blessed with so many signs and messages as I read her words.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was read after hearing The Author tell her story. She was very impressive. The book helps one understand what Amerasians have had to live their lives. She also was adopted by Pearl C. Buck, who set up a foundation in Bucks County, PA for these children to find homes. Her growth in Christianity is what she attributes to living well and continues to share how ago has made her life good.

[Michele]

it really opened my eyes to how people are treated simply due to their appearance and how tough that can make life. this book took me slightly longer to finish than anticipated, but I'm really glad I did work through it and finish it. I hope to be able to pick up more books like this in the near future

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Loved Julie's mom. Strong woman. Julie deserves her happiness.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing autobiography by my 6th grade Math Teacher!

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An autobiography of my sixth grade math teacher. I’d heard much of it as her student, but it was an encouraging reminder of the blessings she’s received.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie has been a blessing to many through her kindness. Both my sons were fortunate to have her as a math teacher.

[Beverly Shustack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written books, interesting and heart rending at times but such a faith Julie has.

[Robin Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raised as Pearl S. Buck’s daughter. Speaker at After 5 dinner.

[Charlene Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

So inspiring! So glad I read this story of her life.

[Rachael High · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope is in the distance, and her path was not an easy one. She didnt quit. She was loved, but suffered so much.