Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

This inspiring story of homeless boys surviving their Amerasian birth in Korea, living on the streets, are also victims of discrimination due to their mixed parentage. The happy ending includes their being adopted to the United States by American G.I.s nearby. This story is interesting to adults as well as children and demonstrates Pearl S. Buck's humanitarian thinking that helped the American public grow their respect and understanding of marginalized people around the world. As a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner Buck shows why she earned both in this book. Published in the 60s it was breaking ground but now this book resonates with American values. I would read it to my 2nd to 5th grade urban students.