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hweezbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The year Japanese-American Waka Tanaka turned 12, her mum decided to send her back to Japan for five months, in the hope of immersing her in enough Japanese so she could become conversant in it.
It was to be a bittersweet time - plucked out of her straight-A midwestern life to coping in a totally Japanese environment, kanji, ink stones and all.
Waka was to live with obaasan, her maternal grandmother and the way the two navigate life around each other, was the most heart-hitting for me. It was a nuanced, distant, love that sent on some tears at the end.
This is an empowering middle grade nonfiction memoir that takes a young reader through Waka’s initial bewilderment at the cultural differences, to her determination to fight through friendships, her grandmother’s own pain as well as succeeding in class.
“By being away, I traveled to realms in my mind and my heart and soul that I didn’t even know were there.”
This book is for young readers who enjoy being immersed in the ins and outs of living and going to school in Japan, and Waka’s candid,humorous, writing makes it an experiential one.
Thank you, @times.reads for sending me this book, I am the richer for this experience!
It was to be a bittersweet time - plucked out of her straight-A midwestern life to coping in a totally Japanese environment, kanji, ink stones and all.
Waka was to live with obaasan, her maternal grandmother and the way the two navigate life around each other, was the most heart-hitting for me. It was a nuanced, distant, love that sent on some tears at the end.
This is an empowering middle grade nonfiction memoir that takes a young reader through Waka’s initial bewilderment at the cultural differences, to her determination to fight through friendships, her grandmother’s own pain as well as succeeding in class.
“By being away, I traveled to realms in my mind and my heart and soul that I didn’t even know were there.”
This book is for young readers who enjoy being immersed in the ins and outs of living and going to school in Japan, and Waka’s candid,humorous, writing makes it an experiential one.
Thank you, @times.reads for sending me this book, I am the richer for this experience!
victorianstockings's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
it was okay for middle grade book! i found the middle the of story to be the most enjoyable
cantaeltango's review against another edition
4.0
Ohhhhhhhhhh this was so beautiful!
I think I still need some time to think about some parts of this book.
To begin with, Waka's writing is amazing. Her voice during the story was very adorable and it was quite interesting seeing a kid like her explore her other-ness when in Japan.
I have to say it, Waka was the CUTEST child!! I love how smart she was, and how petty and proud and angry she could be. When her grandma was so pointlessly mean to her, she wouldn't take a story about her past, or her wearing the socks Waka gave her or the "I'm cooking this food that you like" for an apology because to her, it wasn't, and I GET IT!!
Yeah, I have a thing with people being shitty to children like the grandma could be to Waka, I just have a hard time getting past that. I'm happy that that was acknowledged at the end, tho.
Speaking of the end, that little "where are they now" in the second to last chapter absolutely broke my heart! While reading I always wondered if she was still in contact with any of the kids or with her teacher.
I think it was pretty cool how Waka (as in, the Waka T. Brown writing the book, this century) was able to connect her lessons at school to what was happening in her life in Japan and her relationship with her classmates and what was being taught. Like her failing her reading after she embarrasses herself in swimming class and her Group leaves her aside.
This little reflection at the end about gaining new experiences and how we don't always have the chance to go back and do them differently took me a little by surprise but it was such a beautiful conclusion to Waka's time in Japan and I think it's a nice thing to have in mind when approaching new experiences.
In general, I always love a story about a new culture and of those who are learning to accommodate to it, and this one had a beautiful story behind it and a very interesting perspective to accompany.
I think I still need some time to think about some parts of this book.
To begin with, Waka's writing is amazing. Her voice during the story was very adorable and it was quite interesting seeing a kid like her explore her other-ness when in Japan.
I have to say it, Waka was the CUTEST child!! I love how smart she was, and how petty and proud and angry she could be. When her grandma was so pointlessly mean to her, she wouldn't take a story about her past, or her wearing the socks Waka gave her or the "I'm cooking this food that you like" for an apology because to her, it wasn't, and I GET IT!!
Yeah, I have a thing with people being shitty to children like the grandma could be to Waka, I just have a hard time getting past that. I'm happy that that was acknowledged at the end, tho.
Speaking of the end, that little "where are they now" in the second to last chapter absolutely broke my heart! While reading I always wondered if she was still in contact with any of the kids or with her teacher.
I think it was pretty cool how Waka (as in, the Waka T. Brown writing the book, this century) was able to connect her lessons at school to what was happening in her life in Japan and her relationship with her classmates and what was being taught. Like her failing her reading after she embarrasses herself in swimming class and her Group leaves her aside.
This little reflection at the end about gaining new experiences and how we don't always have the chance to go back and do them differently took me a little by surprise but it was such a beautiful conclusion to Waka's time in Japan and I think it's a nice thing to have in mind when approaching new experiences.
In general, I always love a story about a new culture and of those who are learning to accommodate to it, and this one had a beautiful story behind it and a very interesting perspective to accompany.
kvanderbeek21's review against another edition
5.0
A quick, enjoyable memoir that unexpectedly brought me to tears.
eviebyrne1909's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved this book! If you like heart warming, warm and fuzzy books, you will love this book!
beadsbynoon's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me smile. I went to high school with Waka, and met her a few years after this book took place. Reading about real people and places I grew up with and seeing them before I knew them was a treat. Although, I can't imagine Eric as a second chair trumpet. I don't think that ever happened again. I did see Waka how she described herself in the book: the brain, the trumpet player, driver of the banana-mobile, and just a little cooler than me.
jurassicapark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
erbryant's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks #NetGalley for the early copy! I can't wait to share this story with my students. It'll give them the opportunity to experience a different culture and time.
laurielou73's review against another edition
4.0
Waka T. Brown tells a well-crafted story of the summer she spent in Japan with her grandmother, attending school in the hopes that her Japanese language skills would improve. Through her twelve-year-old eyes, we learn what it's like to feel split between two cultures as Waka navigates the complex social rules in her grandmother's house and at her new school.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.