The memoir So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins teaches readers to never give up, even during the most desperate situations. Because the Kawashima family is faced with many challenges due to World War II, Yoko, Ko, her mother, and her brother all learn to persevere to overcome obstacles. When the train Yoko, Ko, and Mrs. Kawashima were on was bombed, they decide to leave the train and walk to the far-off Seoul train station. To prevent themselves from being identified, Yoko, Ko, and their mother all put on Korean Communist army uniforms. Even though Yoko is badly wounded in both her ear and chest, she still persists and continues on with their journey to Seoul. Later on, Yoko also has to go through classmates laughing and taunting her because of the way she looked and her actions. In addition, even out in the cold winter snow with a broken shoe, Yoko also helps her sister by selling little handmade crafts to earn just a little bit of money for food. Yoko's brother, Hideyo, shows the same spirit of never giving up. He keeps walking and walking toward the Seoul train station, even though he barely has any energy left, and then faints at his limit. This book has taught me an important lesson of to never giving up and to persevere, even in the most difficult times.
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