Under The Same Sky: From Starvation in North Korea to Salvation in America

By Joseph Kim

An inspirational memoir about an abandoned young boy who escaped the devastating famine in North Korea and came to America in search of survival, freedom, and the pursuit of his wildest dreams. ¶ “Riveting.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) ¶ Inside the hidden and mysterious world of North Korea, Joseph Kim lived a young boy’s normal life until he was five. Then disaster struck: the first wave of the Great Famine, a long, terrible ordeal that killed millions, including his father, and sent others, like his mother and only sister, on desperate escape routes into China. Alone on the streets, Joseph learned to beg and steal. He had nothing but a street-hardened survival instinct. Finally, in desperation, he too crossed a frozen river to escape to China. There a kindly Christian woman took him in, kept him hidden from the authorities, and gave him hope. Soon, through an underground network of activists, he was spirited to the American consulate, and became one of just a handful of North Koreans to be brought to the U.S. as refugees. Joseph knew no English barely had an education. Yet the kindness of his foster family changed his life. He mastered English, made it to college, and, against all odds, was able to achieve the American Dream.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9780544373181

Reviews for Under The Same Sky

[ddb07 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Extremely moving - famine in childhood. Very close relationship with sister Pong-suk, his father dies, his fortunes go up and down. Lots of moving around. Family lives with several different extended relatives, including "Small Grandfather". He joins association of thieves, almost captured, then becomes a thief on his own. Walks across the frozen Yalu River in the middle of the day, escapes to China. Tries several churches, taken in by "Grandmother" who he becomes close with also (had to pretend his name was, in fact, "Joseph"). Becomes Christian, more or less, taken in by LiNK volunteers, ends up in America. Chapters 42 and 53 have really interesting outsider's perspectives on Christians. Does not find his sister or his mother by the end.

[beckyhaase · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

UNDER THE SAME SKY by Joseph KimWhat a harrowing tale Joseph tells in this, his story from early childhood in North Korea to young manhood in America. His father is a mid-level party worker and his family is comfortable in the 1980’s. Kim, his father, mother and sister, Bong Sook, live with electricity, a TV and plenty of food and snacks. Then the famine in North Korea takes all of that away. His father and mother lose their jobs, then their furniture, TV and even clothing in order to eat. Eventually they lose their home and are dependent upon their extended family for a roof and food. Finally they have exhausted all options. Kim’s mother sells his sister in South Korea, and disappears. Joseph is left on his own as a young boy. The book details the heartrending life he leads as a homeless youth, descending into theft, lies and violence to survive. Written in simple, but graphic terms, he tells how he ultimately loses all hope and faith in communism and North Korea. He sneaks into South Korea at great risk, becoming a refugee from one the world’s most repressive regimes.The book’s subtitle, FROM STARVATION IN NORTH KOREA TO SALVATION IN AMERICA, gives the story of his life in one sentence. This is a book that will not leave you for many months. You will learn about life in North Korea when things go well and how quickly plenty can turn to extreme want when a government is oblivious to the needs of the citizens – and how citizens continue to defend and love their country long after the country has abandoned them.5 of 5 stars