Kimchi And Calamari Part 17

It's a Korean tradition for parents to have a dojang made when a child is born. A dojang is a rubber stamp using Chinese characters that represent your name. Chinese characters are often used on important doc.u.ments when a signature is needed. Dojangs are used to sign official letters.

We have a small Korean shop here in St. Louis, and I ordered this one with your name. Did you know Duk-kee means "virtue" and "profit"? A perfect Korean name for a young man I have come to admire.

Use your dojang proudly, Joseph. And know that being Korean isn't something you have to prove. You are as real Korean as you can be.

Fondly, Jae.

I held the dojang by its smooth wooden handle, and my fingers touched the ridges in the rubber mat.

This is my name. What my birth mother called me. I thought back to that wave of joy that hit when I first learned about Jae's aunt. I really believed I'd found my birth mother.

I sighed. Then I said my Korean name out loud.

"Duk-kee."

And for the first time, it sounded just the way Yongsu said it!

I carried the dojang upstairs to my room. My suit was already laid out on my bed. Dad had polished my black leather shoes and pre-knotted my tie. And Mom had picked up a wrist corsage for Robyn, which was sitting on my dresser.

Just before I took a shower, I reached behind my bed and picked up the corno box.

I unclasped the chain and put it around my neck. Just like Dad and Nonno Calderaro and Uncle Biaggio, I was as real Italian as I could be too.

I'd wear the corno to the dance. And I'd use the dojang whenever I needed to sign my name in a fancy way. Maybe I'd bring it to the Jiffy Wash to show Mrs. Han, especially now that I could say my name like a real Korean.

Why not do both? There are worse things than being an ethnic sandwich.

Special Thanks.

It takes a village to raise a children's book, too. Family, friends, fellow writers, children, teachers, librarians, and adoption advocates have left their imprint on my story. I am grateful to you all.

My parents, Theresa and Harry Kent, whose love and commitment teach me everything I need to know about creating the story of a good life My four superkids: TJ, wise teen editor and comic book connoisseur; Kellyrose, my sounding board who made sure I "wrote it real"; Connor, the original Buddha Baby; and Theresa, the cutest cheerleader I could have on my team Patricia Reilly Giff, mentor and friend whose "You will publish" words echoed through the dark Jae Kim, my Yale angel who enlightened me on Korea's proud history Young-jung Yoon, who filled in the cultural blanks and patiently educated me on Korean ways Rachel Orr, savvy editor extraordinaire, for following "the signs" and believing in a boy named Joseph Writers on Wednesday Nancy Castaldo, Liza Frenette, Lois Miner Huey, Coleen Paratore, and Kyra Teis. You are the best writers group on this side of the Hudson River. And another book with our word in it, WOW!

Tom Henery, who answered every band question I could e-throw at him. Go Navy!

Jennifer Groff, literary G.o.ddess, whose pa.s.sion for children's books inspires me Sal Primeggia, for Italian historical perspective; Sandy Dagliolo, for Italian translation; Abby Curro, for her calamari recipe; Jeanie Orr, for insight on the dojang; Ben Falge at the j.a.panese Connection, for the beautiful dojang artwork; Jean and Tom Spiegelhalter, for "showing me" St. Louis; Virginia Horn and Barbara Restivo, for constant encouragement; and Laura Garrity, for the New Jersey geography lesson Finally, to the many caring birth mothers, adoptees, and adoptive parents who graciously shared their stories, sometimes with teary eyes. I am blessed to have heard it all And to Tom, who opened the windows and let the fresh air in.

About the Author.

ROSE KENT turned to kids for help in writing this novel-her own kids, since all four have Korean heritage and two are adopted. She and her family live in Niskayuna, New York, where they have frequent flyer points at Korean restaurants and Italian bakeries. This is her first novel.

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

end.