Helpful Score: 1
Read this book for the touching portrayal of a dark period in American history- the often glossed over persecution and containment (shipped off to camps) of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Thinly disguised as a means of "protection" countless Japanese families on the West coast lost their homes, their precious memories and artifacts, and their respect and dignity as they were pushed out of their homes and herded to live in camps. This book does a wonderful job showing the indignity of the situation, as seen through the wonderfully naive and innocent eyes of Henry, a Chinese-American boy.
To add conflict, this is also a love story between Henry and his Japanese classmate, Keiko. As their young romance blooms, Henry bravely protects from the "Yellow Peril" sweeping their city, Seattle. He even defies his own father, who hates the Japanese. But he still loses Keiko.
Years later (this book takes places in both 1942 and 1986) Henry reads in the local paper that the old Hotel Panama has been bought by a new owner. She discovers tons of property stored in basement- property of several Japanese families left behind after they were forced to the camps. Henry spies some familiar objects that might've belonged to Keiko...so his trip down memory lane begins.
Why I gave this book 3.5/5 stars is because aside from the historical relevance, most characters (with exception of Henry, who has an endearing stubborn streak and a nice spark to him) are all pretty much stereotypes. Keiko is gentle, delicate and artistic. Henry's father is an Asian bully. Henry's mother is docile and bends to the father's will. Henry's friend Sheldon is an African-American jazz musician who dispenses tons of wisdom and yoda-like advice. Even Henry's son is the premed, car-loving, anti-Asian (he dates a Caucasian girl!) stereotype (his endless "hey pops" also rubs really, really thin after the nth reiteration).
Just as a suggestion: for another book also about this terrible time period, please consider Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. Set on San Piedro Island in the Puget Sound, this book describes the round up and internment of the Japanese families in the small island community. And it is excellent writing minus the tear-jerking cliches!
To add conflict, this is also a love story between Henry and his Japanese classmate, Keiko. As their young romance blooms, Henry bravely protects from the "Yellow Peril" sweeping their city, Seattle. He even defies his own father, who hates the Japanese. But he still loses Keiko.
Years later (this book takes places in both 1942 and 1986) Henry reads in the local paper that the old Hotel Panama has been bought by a new owner. She discovers tons of property stored in basement- property of several Japanese families left behind after they were forced to the camps. Henry spies some familiar objects that might've belonged to Keiko...so his trip down memory lane begins.
Why I gave this book 3.5/5 stars is because aside from the historical relevance, most characters (with exception of Henry, who has an endearing stubborn streak and a nice spark to him) are all pretty much stereotypes. Keiko is gentle, delicate and artistic. Henry's father is an Asian bully. Henry's mother is docile and bends to the father's will. Henry's friend Sheldon is an African-American jazz musician who dispenses tons of wisdom and yoda-like advice. Even Henry's son is the premed, car-loving, anti-Asian (he dates a Caucasian girl!) stereotype (his endless "hey pops" also rubs really, really thin after the nth reiteration).
Just as a suggestion: for another book also about this terrible time period, please consider Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. Set on San Piedro Island in the Puget Sound, this book describes the round up and internment of the Japanese families in the small island community. And it is excellent writing minus the tear-jerking cliches!
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