The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Choi, Y. (2001). The name jar. New York, New York: Dell Dragonfly Books.

Summary:
A young Korean immigrant girl tries to fit in.  Other children make fun of her name, and she is ashamed.  When she arrives in her classroom and is asked her name, she does not tell them her name and instead tells them she does not know what she wants the kids to call her.  Her classmates try helping her by adding names on slips of paper to a jar.  She considers whether she should choose an American name or keep her given Korean name.  The story ends with the girl making her decision about her name and making a friend.

Awards:

• Arkansas Diamon Primary Book Master List
• Nominee for Arizona Young Readers Award

Resources: 

• Korean Culture

• Author's webpage

• Writing in Korean

 View the book trailer