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Royal Diaries: Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, A.D. 595
 
 
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Royal Diaries: Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, A.D. 595 [Hardcover]

Sheri Holman (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Set in ancient Silla, part of modern-day South Korea, this diary follows the life of Princess Sondok. Although little is known about the subject's childhood, Holman has written a discerning novel to reflect what life may have been like for the princess who became the first ruling Queen of Silla in A.D. 632. When the book opens, the protagonist has just become guardian of the ancestor jar. She writes notes to her dead grandmother, describing activities in the royal court or asking advice. These are the diary entries. What is known about Queen Sondok's reign is that Buddhism flourished, and that she built the oldest standing astronomical observatory in Asia. Thus, Holman has created an intelligent, spiritual princess with a passion for astronomy. The powerful influence of China and Confucianism in Silla is revealed through the fictitious character of Lin Fang, a Chinese Ambassador who becomes Sondok's teacher. She feels torn between the ancient, feminine practice of shamanism, the contemporary ideas of Buddhism, and the infiltrating authority of Confucianism in her country but she learns to take what is useful from each practice to find a balance for herself and the country she will soon reign. A well-written story that will inspire young readers to learn more about other wise women from Asia.
Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Book Description

During the seventh century, the land which is now Korea was fraught with political and religious intrigue. The country was spilt into Three Kingdoms, each fighting for supremacy. Besides this, three religions are in conflict: Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. In this atmosphere of conflict, we meet 14-year old Sondok, eldest daughter of King Chinp-yong, ruler of Silla.
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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews
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4.5 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Sondok, Princess of the Night Skies, Mar 27 2006
This review is from: Royal Diaries: Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, A.D. 595 (Hardcover)
Princess Sondok lives in the Korean palaces and courts with her mother and father, the King and Queen of Silla, and her two younger sisters. Sondok does not keep a rather traditional diary; instead, she gives a daily account of her life by way of offering written-on scraps of paper to her deceased and beloved grandmother's ancient form of communicating with the human spirits passed from our world---spirit jar.

Sondok tells her grandmother of living in a beautiful and exotic palace in the region of Silla in Korea, in A.D. 595. Sondok's people of Silla, led by Sondok's father, King Chinp'yong, and also her mother, Queen Ma-Ya. Sondok enjoys life as a princess with her sisters, Ch'on-myong and Sonwha. But much danger and trouble is has been brewing deeply between the people of Silla and the people of Paekche. The fiery hatred between Silla and Paekche has been alive for years now, and war is finally about to break out between the two peoples. The people of Silla look to Sondok and her family for courage and wisdom. Can they fulfill the expectations of their loyal people?

Sheri Holman, a skilled author of whom I have never read any other books by except for this, has done a great job on narrating the story of Princess Sondok of Korea, an extremely little-known princess in world history. One can easily tell that writing a "diary" of Sondok was difficult, because Sondok would not have actually written in a diary. Though I would definitely not say this is my favorite among the Royal Diaries series, it is will an excellent novel flawlessly jam-packed with tons of Korean culture, traditions, and customs.

Highly recommended!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, Informative and Good Storytelling, Jun 18 2010
This review is from: Royal Diaries: Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, A.D. 595 (Hardcover)
Sheri Holman's entry in The Royal Diary series is an endearing and highly-readable book grounded firmly in the Silla period of ancient Korea. Like all good historical fiction, Holman uses the setting to tell a compelling story. But the historical milieu is not a mere backdrop. There is a genuine sense of Korean culture and history here, showing the author has done considerable homework. Holman's 22-page Historical Note at the back of the book contains a glossary, information on the history, religion and philosophy of the period, Sondok's family tree and eight pages of relevant photos.

Above all, this is a fun and entertaining story. Holman's prose is informed with a gentle lyricism that is deceptively simple--only after finishing the novel does the reader see how deftly Holman has crafted her characters. A delightful read.

D. Bannon was the subtitler for the MBC America broadcast and DVD releases of The Great Queen Seondeok, Vol. 1, Great Queen Seondeok 2 (8pc) (Sub Box) and Great Queen Seondeok 3 (7pc) (Sub Box). He discusses subtitling Queen Seondeok in The Elements of Subtitles, Revised and Expanded Edition: A Practical Guide to the Art of Dialogue, Character, Context, Tone and Style in Subtitling
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4.0 out of 5 stars I have definitely read better, Mar 17 2004
This review is from: Royal Diaries: Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, A.D. 595 (Hardcover)
Sondok is a Korean princess who is heir to the throne, much to the dismay of the Chinese, who believe that a woman cannot properly rule.
Another thing that is special about Sondok is that she loves astronomy, and she want's an observatory of her own so she can learn to read the stars and their meaning.
But in Korea at that time it was not considered proper for a woman to study astronomy, but Sondok refused to give up hope that someday she will be an astronomer and rule Korea with wisdom.

This book is good, except I have read better. It certainly isn't boring, though. I thought the part about the New Year's festivals was very well done.

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