About This Book
Linda Sue Park's 'The Firekeeper's Son' is a poignant historical fiction chapter book set in 18th-century Korea. It tells the story of Sang-hee, whose father, the village firekeeper, is injured. Sang-hee must take on the crucial responsibility of lighting the signal fire that communicates to the king that all is well in the countryside. The narrative beautifully explores themes of duty, honesty, and the weight of responsibility as Sang-hee grapples with the temptation to not light the fire, just to see what might happen. It's a gentle yet powerful story about a child's moral turning point, perfect for sparking conversations about integrity and the importance of one's actions.
In eighteenth-century Korea, after Sang-hee's father injures his ankle, Sang-hee attempts to take over the task of lighting the evening fire which signals to the palace that all is well. Includes historical notes.
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Discussion Prompts
1
Why was lighting the fire so important to the king and the country?
2
What was Sang-hee's biggest worry or fear when he had to light the fire?
3
Why do you think Sang-hee wished he could see the soldiers?
4
What does it mean to be responsible? How did Sang-hee show responsibility?
5
Have you ever had to make a difficult choice between what you wanted and what you knew was right? What did you do?
6
How do you think Sang-hee felt after he made his decision?
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