Every Falling Star

Every Falling Star is the memoir of Sungju Lee, who survived as a street child in North Korea during the 1990s famine. After his privileged life in Pyongyang ends abruptly, Lee and his family are forced to relocate to a northern town where they face poverty and hunger. When his parents disappear, Lee joins a street gang at age twelve to survive. For four years, he travels through North Korean cities with his gang brothers, finding ways to eat and avoid arrest. The book provides a rare first-hand account of daily life, social dynamics, and survival tactics of North Korean street children during a major crisis period. Lee's story reveals the bonds formed between abandoned children and demonstrates how young people adapt to extreme circumstances. The memoir explores universal themes of family separation, childhood resilience, and the basic human drive to survive against overwhelming odds. Through Lee's experiences, readers gain perspective on how political systems impact individual lives and how hope persists in the darkest circumstances.

Readers describe this memoir as eye-opening and raw in its portrayal of survival in North Korea. The first-person perspective resonated with young readers who connected with Sungju's age and experiences. Readers appreciated: - The accessible writing style for teen readers - Details about daily life in North Korea - The inclusion of photos and maps - Educational value for students learning about North Korea Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in early chapters - A few readers wanted more details about certain events - The co-authored writing style felt uneven to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (460+ ratings) "This book helped my students understand North Korea beyond just news headlines," noted one teacher reviewer. Another reader commented, "The story grips you but never feels sensationalized." Some readers mentioned using this as a companion text with other North Korea memoirs like "In Order to Live" for a fuller perspective.

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📖 Sungju Lee escaped North Korea at age 16 after living as a street boy for four years, during which he led a gang of other homeless youth to survive. 🎓 After his escape, Lee went on to earn his master's degree from South Korea's Sogang University and became a advocate for North Korean human rights. 🌟 The book is one of very few memoirs about North Korean life written specifically for young adult readers, offering a rare glimpse into the experiences of North Korean children. 🤝 Author Susan McClelland specializes in telling refugee stories and worked closely with Lee for two years to capture his voice and experiences accurately. 🏆 Every Falling Star was named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the National Council for Social Studies and won the 2017 Freeman Book Award for Young Adult/High School Literature.