evamadera1's review against another edition
4.0
See "recent reads review" on youtube channel (linked in bio)
agatha_hopkins's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Blood
agiali's review against another edition
3.0
☼ 215/ 100
This was a fantastic story that was gifted to me by an old coworker when I asked for book recommendations that made her cry. Whilst I didn't cry this was a very emotional story.
It follows Tomi, a Hawaiian-Japanese boy whose grandparents had immigrated from Japan to Hawaii to escape poverty. It takes place during World War II, when the U.S. had yet to 'join' the war and Tomi believes the war won't touch him since he's in the middle of the ocean. That all changes when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and Japanese men are taken from their families and arrested. Tomi now has to take care of his little sister and mother. Not only is this a novel about history but it also tells the story of Hawaiian locals and friendship excellently, in my opinion.
I was born and raised in Maui, Hawai'i my whole life, and one thing Graham Salisbury did fantastic was getting the lingo DOWN. I find it hard to read books that are told in a certain dialect/ accent, but I guess growing up here helped me not struggle that much in this novel.
I will say this was well-written, but I found myself bored because I think this is written for a younger male audience and I am the opposite of both of those things. I was mostly bored of this though because I didn't realize I had watched the movie for this back in high school and they did a fantastic adaptation, so the plot of this was repetitive in my brain.
I'm probably going to pass this book along since I probably won't think about this book again, but I am glad I read it.
This was a fantastic story that was gifted to me by an old coworker when I asked for book recommendations that made her cry. Whilst I didn't cry this was a very emotional story.
It follows Tomi, a Hawaiian-Japanese boy whose grandparents had immigrated from Japan to Hawaii to escape poverty. It takes place during World War II, when the U.S. had yet to 'join' the war and Tomi believes the war won't touch him since he's in the middle of the ocean. That all changes when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and Japanese men are taken from their families and arrested. Tomi now has to take care of his little sister and mother. Not only is this a novel about history but it also tells the story of Hawaiian locals and friendship excellently, in my opinion.
I was born and raised in Maui, Hawai'i my whole life, and one thing Graham Salisbury did fantastic was getting the lingo DOWN. I find it hard to read books that are told in a certain dialect/ accent, but I guess growing up here helped me not struggle that much in this novel.
I will say this was well-written, but I found myself bored because I think this is written for a younger male audience and I am the opposite of both of those things. I was mostly bored of this though because I didn't realize I had watched the movie for this back in high school and they did a fantastic adaptation, so the plot of this was repetitive in my brain.
I'm probably going to pass this book along since I probably won't think about this book again, but I am glad I read it.
ljstrain28's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of the great books from my childhood. Well done.
thistle_clover's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Racism, War, Racial slurs, and Violence
duchessnikki's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in middle school. A long time ago, if were counting. I remember enjoying the story and learning something’s about history that I didn’t know at the time.
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite of WWII stories but the perspective of seeing the bombing through Japanese-American eyes is important to understand.
susanlbussey's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good middle-grade novel written from the perspective of a young American of Japanese descent, living on the island of Oahu at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
thepreciouslife808's review against another edition
5.0
If you want a peak into Hawaii and Hawaii during WW2 as a Japanese American kid look no further. Another added bonus is the use of Pidgin (Hawaiian Creole English) which is really the language of the islands hahaha! I've really enjoyed this book. If you get the chance to listen to the audiobook its great!
eefera's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the motley crew aspect of this story. Tomi and his friends have such distinct roles within the group and they are all well developed personalities, which is as important in a middle grade fiction as it is in any adult works.
A lot of books written by adults from the perspective of children still tend to feel like they are written by an adult. This book I found refreshing because Tomi's voice as a protagonist was very age appropriate and felt authentic.
This quickly became one of my favorite middle grade historical fiction novels I've read. I have an interest in WWII history in general, specifically Pearl Harbor, and this was a point of view that I really appreciated.
A lot of books written by adults from the perspective of children still tend to feel like they are written by an adult. This book I found refreshing because Tomi's voice as a protagonist was very age appropriate and felt authentic.
This quickly became one of my favorite middle grade historical fiction novels I've read. I have an interest in WWII history in general, specifically Pearl Harbor, and this was a point of view that I really appreciated.