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What could a biracial, bicultural child and a Korean grocer have in common? Much more than appearances might lead us – or them – to believe. Cooper feels that he does not belong in either the Korean or the white community, and he brings his frustration and anger to Mr. Lee's market. Mr. Lee sees Cooper's confusion and reaches out to him, showing Cooper a way into the community that has seemed so closed off to him. In the process, Cooper learns several valuable lessons about himself and his community. Cooper and Mr. Lee may not always speak the same language, but their cross-cultural, intergenerational friendship teaches them both what it means to be both Korean and American.
Sun Yung Shin writes that, in Cooper's Lesson, she “wanted to capture what can be lost and gained as different generations adapt to and influence their adopted cultures.” Her story expresses the difficult questions facing a boy who is trying to understand himself and his community. Kim Cogan's paintings beautifully illustrate the conflicts that face Cooper and those who surround him. As students explore the book, they will also explore the assumptions they make about others and themselves.
Most of the activities described in this guide are designed to expose children to the Korean American population in the United States. However, you may have children in your classroom that are themselves Korean American. In either situation, be sure to tailor the lessons to your student population and be sensitive to the needs of the individuals in your class. Korean American students can be seen as a resource for questions and issues that are raised in the book but, as Cooper knows all too well, no one child can be seen as representing the entire Korean community.
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Korean American
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Identity:
biracialism and biculturalism; language; stereotypes
Community:
neighborhoods; immigration; cultural roots
Justice:
right and wrong; behavior, decision-making, and consequences; honesty
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Sun Yung Shin was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1974. She was adopted by American parents in 1975 and grew up in the Chicago area. A poet, essayist, and teacher, Sun Yung has contributed to publications such as Rain Taxi Review of Books, The Korean Quarterly, XCP: Cross Cultural Poetics, and American Poets & Poetry, among many others. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two young children.
Cooper's Lesson is Sun Yung's first book for children. The book addresses issues of language and identity, and she based the story on her own experiences as a Korean-born American. Having hapa (mixed-race) children of her own inspired her to create a story that would represent the struggles of children who are caught between two cultures. “I would like children to learn that it's okay and even desirable to struggle with the difficult issues of race in the U.S.,” she says. “I want them to know that immigrating is hard work, and learning English is hard work, and that connecting with people in our neighborhoods can be surprising and good.”
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Kim Cogan was born in Pusan, Korea, in 1977. After coming to the United States to live with a loving family who adopted him, Kim grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives in San Francisco, CA. The recipient of several prestigious awards, Kim has participated in over a dozen shows nationwide.
Kim's refined oil paintings capture contemporary life in all its beauty and absurdity. Kim paints directly from life, occasionally using photographs when a single sitting will not suffice. His process is flexible, allowing his spontaneous nature and curious eye to guide his artistic direction. To create the characters in Cooper's Lesson, Kim used several models, including an actual convenience store owner a block away from a studio where he used to work.
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Our thanks to the Irwin Home Equity Foundation for their
support in the production of this Teacher's Guide. |
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