Wicked Fox

Gu Miyoung is a gumiho—a nine-tailed mythical fox—who eats the souls of evil humans to survive. But she risks losing her immortal life when she loses a bead while saving a human boy. The magic and mythology of this story may appeal to readers interested in the fantasy genre, and its Korean setting provides a new perspective from a diverse culture. In the secondary classroom, the novel may be offered as a literature circle choice or as part of a fantasy or folklore collection. The book lends itself well to exploring themes of family, tradition, and coming of age. Teachers may encourage students to make connections with other cultural myths or legends and compare how different characters deal with similar situations.