In the Tunnel

A parent would reach for this book when their teen is grappling with the weight of family expectations, the trauma of displacement, or the need to find light in seemingly hopeless situations. Set during the Korean War, this powerful novel follows sixteen year old Myung-gi as he becomes trapped in a collapsed tunnel. As he fights for survival, his mind drifts back to the family he left behind and the internal conflicts of his past. The story masterfully weaves together high stakes physical survival with deep emotional introspection. Parents will find this an excellent choice for mature readers ready to explore the historical realities of the Korean War through a lens of profound resilience and the redemptive power of memory. It serves as a bridge for discussing how we carry our history with us even when everything else is lost.