 "Korean Communist soldiers" were bereft of their uniforms for Yoko, her sister, and mother to use as disguise in the book.Some media coverage gave a forced reading saying this term can only have applicable meaning as soldiers of the "Korean People's Army", not established until 1948, so that Yoko was describing uniforms nonexistent at the time.Watkins was awarded the Literary Lights for Children Award by Associates of the Boston Public Library in 1998. and also the Courage of Conscience Award by the Peace Abbey.