1. Sei-Young's grandfather tells him that his name means to swim across the world. How does this influence Sei-Young as he grows up? Why do you think the authors chose this phrase as the title? How does it reflect the story as a whole?

2. What was your initial perception of Heisook? How would you describe her? Did your opinion of her change as the story progressed?

3. How would you describe Sei-Young's relationship with Grandfather? A pivotal moment for Sei-Young occurs when he witnesses Officer Akoto beating Grandfather. How does this experience alter Sei-Young's thinking and his life? How does it affect Grandfather?

4. Faith is a concept that resounds throughout the novel. What does it mean to Heisook, Sei-Young, and the other characters?

5. When he leaves his family at the train station as he goes off to war, Changi says to Heisook, Don't be afraid to take steps on your own. For otherwise, you will always be a helpless little girl (pg. 109). Does Heisook heed Changi's advice? How so?

6. After World II, the Americans institute democracy in South Korea. For Sei-Young, it was a time of promise, tinged with peril. My people were free. But after nearly a half-century of oppression, freedom was a foreign word that was hard to understand. How were we to speak and behave, how were we supposed to live when we were no longer silenced by the sword? (pg. 140). How does life change for Sei-Young after the end of World War II? How is it different for Heisook?

7. In one instance Sei-Young says, I was lucky. Grandfather taught me how to dream (pg. 148). What does he mean by this statement?

8. A momentous experience for Heisook occurs when she discovers her mother's diary. After reading it, is she able to better understand her mother? Does it alter her relationship with her mother in any way?

9. What are the similarities and differences in Heisook and Sei-Young's lives and stories? What is it that attracts them to one another?

10. Were you knowledgeable about Korea's history prior to reading this novel? What did you come away with after reading To Swim Across the World?