What were the little balls? I am curious though how much was fiction?

T. Phillips

 

Answer:

About 80% of the book is real. Everything the little girl, Soo-jin, went through is what I had gone through as a child. The adult characters and their association with Soo-jin are real but not their background. If the real characters were to read the book they will know who they are. As for the balls, they were water globes, but without the base.

 

To tell the truth, that was my purpose when I wrote the book. I wanted the reader to be aware of the deprivation of the orphaned children; and not have the reader concentrate too much on feeling pity for the Author.

Did the little girl, Mi-young, really die? And if so, how did she die?

Nicole

 

Answer:

She did die but I am not sure the cause of her death, i.e., illness or abuse. She represents a lot of children who died in the orphanage from neglect.

Did you ever think to look up the Lilly Band and how they are doing? I have the need to help you look for them!

LeLe

 

Answer:

In the beginning I was obsessed about finding Mi-Mi and Su-lon (don't remember their real names) to see if they also had big houses with plenty of food on their big tables like mine. But, by the time I learned the new language well enough for me to inquire about them to my parents, they assured me that the the girls (the Lilly Band) were also happy with their new family.

It would, indeed, be a happy reunion if they were to get a hold of this book and find me!

I know you were too young to remember, but what do you think happened to the two evil women, Omah Yi and Omah Yoon?

Annie

 

Answer:

The nanny character, Omah Yoon (Soo-jin's Aunt), disappeared the day after she announced that I was to go to America. As for Omah Yi (the Head Mistress) I don't know if she was still at the orphanage when I left or if she moved on.