A Step From Heaven

{{short description|2001 novel by An Na}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox book | | name = A Step From Heaven | image = File:A Step From Heaven (An Na novel) cover art.jpg | caption = | author = [[An Na]] | country = United States | language = English | translator = | cover_artist = | genre = [[Young adult novel]] | publisher = [[Casemate Publishers|Front Street Press]] | release_date = 2001 | media_type = Print (hardback & paperback) | pages = 156 | isbn = 1-886910-58-8 | congress = PZ7.N1243 St 2001 | oclc = 44703366 | preceded_by = | followed_by = }}

'''''A Step From Heaven''''' is the [[debut novel|first novel]] by [[An Na]], published in 2001 by [[Casemate Publishers|Front Street Press]]. It won two [[American Library Association]] awards: the 2002 [[Michael L. Printz Award]] from the [[Young Adult Library Services Association]]<ref name=ALA>American Library Association: Michael L. Printz Winners and Honor Books {{cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners.cfm |title=ALA | Michael L. Printz Winners |accessdate=2011-02-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217092327/http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners.cfm |archivedate=2011-02-17 }}. URL accessed 6 July 2009.</ref> and the 2001-2003 [[Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature]] (Children and Young Adult Author category) from the [[Asian Pacific American Librarians Association]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2001-2003 AWARDS WINNERS |url=http://www.apalaweb.org/awards/literature-awards/winners/2001-2003-awardswinners/ |website=APALA |accessdate=25 January 2020}}</ref>

==Summary== At age four, Young Ju moves with her parents from [[Korea]] to [[Southern California]]. While expecting an easy, blissful life in America, Young Ju sees the stress that the [[culture shock|cultural adjustment]] puts on her family. She struggles with the language barrier in her new school as her parents' relationship begins to strain due to financial issues. During this time, Young Ju's brother Joon Ho is born, and is given more freedom and choices due to his gender. Their father is an [[alcoholism|alcoholic]], who is eventually arrested for [[DUI]] and subsequently loses his driver's license. As Young Ju matures and begins to enjoy friends and school, her parents' marriage continues to dwindle and begins affecting Joon, causing him to withdraw from school and further education. When her father starts beating his wife and herself, Young Ju eventually intervenes by calling the police and having her father arrested. When he is released from jail, he leaves the family, returning to their home country, Korea, without a word. Some time later, when her family is in a better financial position, they move into a better house when, Young Ju is preparing to leave for college, and knows her mother and brother are finally starting to settle into a better life.

==References== {{Reflist}} {{Portal|Children and Young Adult Literature}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Step From Heaven}} [[Category:2001 American novels]] [[Category:2001 English-language novels]] [[Category:American young adult novels]] [[Category:Michael L. Printz Award–winning works]] [[Category:Novels set in California]] [[Category:2001 debut novels]]