How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Apa calls out, Young Ju, do not worry your Uhmma. She is too tired to carry you. Besides, you are not a baby anymore… Look, Young Ju, Apa says. This is your new brother, Park Joon Ho. Is he not beautiful? Inside there is a wiggly worm with no hair. I touch his head and feel only a little fur. I ask Apa, Where is his hair? (10.10-16)
Can you say sibling jealousy? Clearly Young Ju isn't all into her new younger brother like all the adults (especially her dad) are. We don't blame her—here's this new baby who hasn't done anything to earn his spot in the family except be born and be male, yet all of a sudden everything's all about him. It's not easy being the older kid, especially the older female kid.
Quote #5
Behind me, there is a loud pong! I turn my head and see Uncle Tim holding the big bottle with white sea foam spilling out. Apa, Uhmma, and Gomo hold out their glasses.
A toast, Uncle Tim says, raising his glass. A toast for the new baby.
To my son, Park Joon Ho, Apa calls out.
Park Joon Ho, everyone cheers.
I reach down and pull a bow off my shoe. I am not a baby anymore. (10.49-53)
You've got to wonder: was there all this fanfare (and champagne) when Young Ju was born? Apa seems really proud that the new baby is specifically a son. Seems like Young Ju kind of has a case for feeling so ignored...
Quote #6
On some weekend mornings, not always, hardly even any, but some, Apa becomes the Blob. He wakes up with broom hair and catches Joon and me watching cartoons. He sneaks up from behind and scoops us up all at once like a fisherman with a net. We scream and laugh, try to break free, but his lock-strong arms keep us in jail.
Uhmma! we screech. Uhmma, help! We are trapped. Uhmma comes out of the kitchen, smiles, but shows us her hands.
I cannot help you, she says. I will get caught too. (14.1-3)
Wonder why everyone is so loyal to Apa even though he seems like a holy terror in the house? Here's as good a reason as any: a heartwarming scene of Apa being a typical, warm, loving dad. You can kind of see why the family might be willing to forgive Apa for all his abusiveness—maybe they're just holding out for days like these, when Apa seems so different from his usual, mean self.