crikhopit's review against another edition
3.0
Compelling story, simple writing, easy-breezy reading. Characters weren't complex and twists were none to be found, but still a nice book.
I was not convinced that a Chinese boy would be allowed to visit a Japanese family in an internment camp without some major repercussions. It was a horrible period in our history and I expected more emotions.
I was not convinced that a Chinese boy would be allowed to visit a Japanese family in an internment camp without some major repercussions. It was a horrible period in our history and I expected more emotions.
myke's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mfabiano726's review against another edition
A very good book. What I really liked was the historical fiction aspect of this story. I did not know how the Japanese-Americans were treated during World War II, in this country. This story opened my eyes and helped me to learn something new. The love story wrapped around the history was also very touching. I thought Henry and Keiko were very likeable characters. I was pulling for them all the way through the story. I stayed up until 2 in the morning to finish this book!
ninacg89's review against another edition
5.0
It was simple,nice and wonderful to read. It was like both bitter and sweet, I would loved to read more about how things worked out for Keiko and Henry later on,when they met in 1986.
sis_2512's review against another edition
4.0
Very bitter sweet. Quite a love story that just wasn’t at the right time. The prejudice in this novel was quite sad, but Henry always kept his head up and defended his friend.
chrisb509's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend this story about growing up around the start of WWII, internment camps and public attitudes...
musubi_mumma's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
4.0
Of course I liked this book. It had a lot of elements I like--a look at America in the past (WWII), a coming of age story (romance between two young people), the story of immigrants and their culture (combines both Chinese and Japanese American experiences with a hint of jazz and African-American experience thrown in) and takes place in my favorite city (Seattle). So one star for each.
The story takes place in both WWII and many years later in 1986. The young Henry is a Chinese American boy who goes to a white school and lives in the International District of Seattle. His father gives him a button to wear that says "I am Chinese." to avoid any confusion with the growing hostility towards those on the other side of the International District--the Japanese Americans. At school he meets the only other Asian student--a Japanese American girl named Keiko.
In 1986 a much older Henry finds out that the Palace Hotel while being refurbished uncovers a cache of suitcases and boxes left behind during WWII--they are the belongings of several Japanese families that were interned during WWII.
Thanks to my friend Val for recommending it! I'll never look at the horse stalls at the Puyallup fair the same way again.
The story takes place in both WWII and many years later in 1986. The young Henry is a Chinese American boy who goes to a white school and lives in the International District of Seattle. His father gives him a button to wear that says "I am Chinese." to avoid any confusion with the growing hostility towards those on the other side of the International District--the Japanese Americans. At school he meets the only other Asian student--a Japanese American girl named Keiko.
In 1986 a much older Henry finds out that the Palace Hotel while being refurbished uncovers a cache of suitcases and boxes left behind during WWII--they are the belongings of several Japanese families that were interned during WWII.
Thanks to my friend Val for recommending it! I'll never look at the horse stalls at the Puyallup fair the same way again.