Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at young Kyung Tak's family's home in Busan, on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks' is their last chance of refuge "before falling into the sea," and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. But threaded through the overwhelming and scary moments are joyful ones too, like when Kyung makes a new friend. And after a meaningful talk with her parents and their guests, Kyung realizes something important: The kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we'll never regret. 

Based on the true story of how the author's mother's family sheltered refugees during the Korean War, The House Before Falling into the Sea is a moving example of empathy and community care for the youngest of readers.

From the dust jacket