“Sixteen Years in Sixty Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story”
by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Dom Lee.
Lee and Low Books, New York, 2005, 32 pages, Grades 3-5.
The American Dream has beckoned to countless immigrants since the beginning of the country. Simply stated, the American Dream is the idea that you can achieve any personal ambition through hard work and dedication. Therefore historical prejudices about race and religion can be overcome through individual striving for success.
According to the American Dream, people are not forced to make future decisions because of historical prejudices. It is a compelling idea and has shaped and continues to shape American society. In the 1920s, a young Korean-American boy growing up in California during a time of great discrimination against Asian-Americans was determined to live the American Dream. His name was Sammy Lee. Paula Yoo tells his story in the compelling book “Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story.”
Recent immigrants to the United States, the Lee family run a restaurant. Through incredible drive and sacrifice, Mr. Lee saves his hard earned money that his children may enjoy the American Dream. His youngest son’s name is Sammy. The young boy passes by a swimming pool in town, only to read that the facility is closed to all non-whites except on Wednesday. So he returns on Wednesday and begins diving off the spring boards. He is amazed at how much he enjoys the activity. It is like flying.
Unfortunately, he soon learns that it can result in crash landings as well. How do you do this? Another boy begins giving him instructions and his technique improves. Now all Sammy wants to do is to excel in diving. His hardworking father thinks this is total foolishness. He wants Sammy to become a doctor, make a lot of money and become a success. This is his view of the American Dream.
But the whole point of the American Dream is that individuals can achieve their aspirations, not the wishes of others. So Sammy is conflicted, how can he be a good son and support his parents’ plans and still live out his own goals?
He unexpectedly finds a diving coach after he loses a meet. This man, Jim Ryan, is a stern taskmaster and will not accept anything but the best from Sammy. Since he can still only use the pool one day a week, Ryan has him build a sand pit in his back yard with a spring board above it. There Sammy practices hour after hour by crashing into the sand pit. He soon discovers how to land on his feet and through these painful lessons learns how to make precise movements while spinning in the air. He becomes so talented in diving that eventually everyone takes notice. Finally, as a member of the USA Olympic team, Sammy stands on the edge of the 10 meter board. In the next 16 seconds, he will spin through 16 years of prejudice and trial. What happens?
Does Sammy win the gold medal? Does he achieve the American Dream? What happens to his father’s desire that he become a doctor? And finally, what does it mean for Sammy to be himself?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this excellent book by Paula Yoo, “Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds.”
This is a marvelous story about an American hero. The text is appropriate for grades 3-5. It is impossible not to cheer for this remarkable man. The next time you think something is impossible, remember that Sammy Lee proved that a person can achieve their dreams. His lesson to us is that we will be able to do this as well. Enjoy!
