Archer's Quest

By Linda Sue Park
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Newbery Award winner Linda Sue Park delivers a new interesting story set in the present day but reflecting the past. Kevin is just sitting in his room when there is a crash and suddenly a man in some sort of karate type gear is aiming a bow and arrow at his head. Kevin soon finds out the impossible has happened--Chu-mong, a king from ancient Korea, has appeared in his bedroom. We never know why or how Chu-mong has appeared in modern day New York state, but all that is important is that Kevin find a way to send him back. Despite Kevin's initial disbelief, he finds himself drawn to help this strange man and comes to believe he is who he says. His daylong adventure gives Kevin a connection with his Korean heritage and, in the end, a way to connect with his father, too. This is an enjoyable, if lightweight, adventure tale that helps our hero discover a bit of what he's really made of.