The Legend of Hong Kil Dong

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea, by Anne Sibley O'Brien, is about courage, strength, and determination. It is about a boy who lived in Korea long ago. He was born into a wealthy family, and was favored by his father, even though his mother was a maid servant. Before Kil Dong's birth, his father had seen clouds, lightning, even a dragon! It was a good omen for the child. And he had a birth mark on his leg, proving that he was like no other.


But Kil Dong could not address his father as "father," and his brother would inherit everything (even though Kil Dong was smarter) so he went to train with the monks, where he could seek greater knowledge. Eventually he met an old sage (a mountain spirit?) who taught him magic and martial arts. Then he found the camp of bandits...and that is all I'm going tell you.

Begining a graphic novel, I could see what emotions went through Hong Kil Dong. This brought the story alive. I've read this book many times, and enjoy it in some deep way.