Review | The Other Side of Tomorrow

Summary: The Other Side of Tomorrow

In this gorgeous graphic novel, tweens Myunghee and Yunho’s paths intersect the day before they both escape the communist regime and converge again in China, where Yunho’s mother takes Myunghee in and along on their arduous, perilous escape plan.

The Good

I read this in one breathless gulp! At 224 pages, this is a super short graphic novel with truly stunning artwork and sparse text that will fly by in the hands of young readers. My heart was in my throat throughout their journey, and I LOVED the gorgeous illustrations in this graphic novel.

Besides the strong aesthetic appeal the story in this book is one I’ve only read before in Lee’s Brother’s Keeper — one about kids fleeing North Korea to South Korea. The kids in this tale, though, are kids fleeing North Korea and leaving the entire Asian continent, passing through countries like Thailand and Laos on their journey to the United States. It is an ordeal to behold, and it’s also so touching to see all the help they receive along the way.

Before Myunghee and Yunho leave their country, the author shows us what life is like in North Korea. Along the way, we also bear witness to the sometimes strained relationship the kids develop, strengthening the overall narrative and giving readers plenty to discuss should they use this as a book club selection.

Content Notes

Here are some specifics to know about the content.

Content Warnings

• Death: One character dies on page
• Alcohol/substance abuse: None
• Sexual content: None
• Violence: None, but depictions of life-threatening illness and jungle travels
• Religious content: The kids are aided by members of a religious organization
• Language: None

Diversity

• Ethnic: Korean and American characters
• Sexual orientation: None

Recommended for ages: 9+

Good for kids who like:

• Survival stories
• Short books
• Graphic novels
• Books like The Lost Year
• The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

Publisher Details

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