An inspirational memoir about an abandoned young boy who escaped the devastating famine in North Korea and came to America in search of survival, freedom, and the pursuit of his wildest dreams. Riveting.Publishers Weekly (starred review) Inside the hidden and mysterious world of North Korea, Joseph Kim lived a young boys normal life until he was five. Then disaster struck: the first wave of the Great Famine, a long, terrible ordeal that killed millions, including his father, and sent others, like his mother and only sister, on desperate escape routes into China. Alone on the streets, Joseph learned to beg and steal. He had nothing but a street-hardened survival instinct. Finally, in desperation, he too crossed a frozen river to escape to China. There a kindly Christian woman took him in, kept him hidden from the authorities, and gave him hope. Soon, through an underground network of activists, he was spirited to the American consulate, and became one of just a handful of North Koreans to be brought to the U.S. as refugees. Joseph knew no English barely had an education. Yet the kindness of his foster family changed his life. He mastered English, made it to college, and, against all odds, was able to achieve the American Dream.
Embark on an extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom with Joseph Kim's "Under the Same Sky: From Starvation in North Korea to Salvation in America." This gripping memoir offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the hidden world of North Korea and the harrowing experiences of one boy who defied unimaginable odds to build a new life in America. Joseph Kim's early childhood in North Korea was marked by normalcy until the devastating Great Famine swept across the nation. At the tender age of five, his life was irrevocably shattered as he faced starvation, the loss of his father, and the desperate flight of his mother and sister into China. Abandoned and alone, Joseph was forced to navigate the perilous streets, relying on his wits and instinct for survival to scavenge for food and evade danger. Driven by an unyielding will to live, Joseph made the courageous decision to cross the frozen river into China, seeking refuge from the horrors of his homeland. There, he found unexpected kindness in a Christian woman who sheltered him from the authorities and offered him a glimmer of hope. This act of compassion set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead him to the American consulate, where he became one of the few North Korean refugees granted asylum in the United States. Arriving in America with limited English skills and little formal education, Joseph faced daunting challenges as he struggled to adapt to a new culture and rebuild his life from scratch. Fortuitously, he found a foster family who provided the love, support, and guidance he desperately needed. With their encouragement, Joseph immersed himself in his studies, mastering English and eventually gaining admission to college. "Under the Same Sky" is more than just a survival story; it's a testament to the power of human connection, the importance of compassion, and the transformative potential of education. Joseph Kim's unwavering determination to overcome adversity and achieve his dreams is an inspiration to us all. He sheds light on the brutal realities of life in North Korea, the plight of refugees, and the challenges and triumphs of building a new life in a foreign land. Explore the themes of faith, hope, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of the American Dream. Readers will discover a newfound appreciation for freedom and the importance of standing up for human rights. Joseph Kim's powerful story offers a beacon of hope for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can endure and triumph. A profound and unforgettable read, "Under the Same Sky" is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of the human condition.