Description: A thrilling middle-grade fantasy inspired by Korean folklore, where one girl's journey into a magical world becomes a quest to save her family.
Everything in Young-hee's life seems to be falling apart. Her father is gone, her overworked mother has moved the family back to Seoul, and adjusting to a new school is harder than she ever imagined. Even her younger brother Bum seems determined to make every day more difficult. Then Young-hee discovers a hidden world where the folktales she grew up hearing are real. But when Bum is kidnapped, she must embark on a dangerous quest to find the legendary pullocho plant. Along the way she encounters dragons, fairies and other magical beings while facing choices that will determine not only her brother's fate, but that of an entire enchanted realm. Inspired by Korean folklore, Young-hee and the Pullocho blends adventure, fantasy and coming-of-age themes into an unforgettable story that celebrates courage, family and self-discovery.Review Quotes: "Her journey is fantastic and full of rich mythological creatures that come to vivid life under Russell's pen...each chapter ends with a little story, a folktale that is often elaborated upon or retold or alluded to in some way in the narrative itself. This technique gives texture to the narrative and adds a richness to the detail. It also connects Young-Hee's story to the stories that are already in existence. A very neat way to make readers interested in folklore." --The Book Wars blog