laurammon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
zre_rodri's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
upgirlcd's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! What a sweet story in the midst of war & warring cultures. Relationships can tear apart and bring together. Henry is an amazing boy, who grows up fast, and becomes an amazing man. He is not the boy his loyalist Chinese father wants him to be, which creates such strain for Henry. He overcomes, and follows his heart, which ties everything together throughout the story. Keiko and her family are Japanese. Supposed to be "the Enemy" in 1942. Yet, they are kind, racially open, and offering their daughter freedom to befriend Henry. The reader is transported back and forth between 1942 and 1986, where the adult Henry, struggles in his own relationship with his college-age son Marty. Marty is quite knowing and understanding, and honors his father by giving him a gift that will touch Henry more than he can express.
chelsmilne's review against another edition
3.0
Read this for a book club - probably not something I would have read on my own. It was… fine. I zoned out a lot while listening to it. And I had a hard time with the 12 year olds being in “love”.
ndfan19's review against another edition
Seattle WWII, neighborhood Japense Interment camps
cflorea's review against another edition
4.0
I ended up really enjoying this book. It started off a little slow, but I loved how it switched between past and present. It was a great look at some of the history that has occurred in the United States that isn't taught in schools as much as it should be. I loved the characters and the relationships between Henry and Keiko, and Henry and Sheldon. It had a great narrative, and when it ended, I was sad that it had.
sheltzer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
carpentd's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
valcab95's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
chri5ti's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed very much. A bookclub selection or I don't think it is something I would have picked up on my own. Very bittersweet and historically interesting. Glad bookclub brought it to my attention.