Linda Sue Park’s SEESAW GIRL takes place in seventeenth-century Korea, in an aristocratic family’s compound. Jade Blossom is the rambunctious daughter of a member of the king’s council who together with her cousin plays pranks on the boys. But when Willow is married, Jade begins to come to terms with the restrictions of her life. After a failed attempt to go outside to visit Willow, Jade chooses to follow the rules of her society, which dictate that she must not ever leave the Inner Court and be seen by strange men. Without Willow, Jade must find what can make her happy within her boundaries. Her mother lets her know that happiness is possible if she will only look in a new way.

Park expertly weaves facts about Korea in the 1600’s in with her narration. Readers learn that doing laundry in the wealthy households means ripping clothes apart to clean, then sewing them back together. The fact that the boys have school while the girls do not is presented as the reality that it was. Jade tries expressing herself through the mediums that are available to her. She succeeds in finding something she loves and keeping that joy in her life. When Jade tries to visit Willow, she is turned away without seeing her. This seems cruel but rings true when it is explained that Willow was trying to preserve the honor of Jade’s family.

Barbara Scotto, writing for School Library Journal agrees that “Park maintains a fine tension between the spirited girl’s curiosity and her very limited sphere.” Park uses her characters and their ways to bring the story to life in a way that feels authentic. Jade’s father is a progressive in the king’s council, but is still the master of his domain in an understated, stoic way. Park includes an author’s note to help explain some of the things she chose to use in her book. A quick and enjoyable read, SEESAW GIRL will transport readers into a time and a place where lives are lived in a different way.