carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story about kindness in the darkest of times. Really gorgeous art and the story is clear and well written while still being informative. Very well done and a good way to begin the discussion on Japenese-American internment camps.
gretchenlouise's review against another edition
4.0
This heart-wrenching true story gives a glimpse into the struggles of the Japanese American children librarian with whom Miss Breed corresponded during WWII. Excerpts from letters the children wrote her show how the books Miss Breed sent helped them through their internment in Poston, Arizona. A touching tribute to the power of correspondence to grant hope in dark times!
muddypuddle's review against another edition
5.0
The internment and mistreatment of Japanese Americans during WWII has always bewildered and incensed me. This true story connects kids not only to this sad part of American History, but also highlights a brave American woman who did something to help alter a horrendous situation.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
This nonfiction picture book tells the story of how a librarian stayed in touch with Japanese American children while they were in interment camps during World War II. It is very simple, and includes illustrations of the children's letters along with depictions of the librarian's surroundings and the camps that the children were in. This is a good introduction for elementary school students, but is light on content for an adult reader.
I have two concerns with this book that keep me from rating it four stars. One is that it unnecessarily includes a letter that references "Little Black Sambo." The child's comment merely serves as an illustration for the heat, but this is likely to catch parents off guard and require a conversation that they didn't sign up for. Since the book is about combating discrimination, it seems odd that one of the letters included would reference a story with so much racial baggage. Surely, out of the whole collection, there would have been something else more appropriate.
Secondly, the timeline in the back specifically names three Democrat presidents who were involved in future reevaluations of the interment camps, but does not name Ronald Reagan for the timeline entry about the U.S. government finally apologizing for what happened. This seems to be nothing more than bias on the author's part, since it breaks with her format and approach. Also, she only refers to an apology, without mentioning that the U.S. government actually paid reparations to many survivors. This is a very significant fact, and even though not all readers will look through the timeline anyway, the author should have included this.
I have two concerns with this book that keep me from rating it four stars. One is that it unnecessarily includes a letter that references "Little Black Sambo." The child's comment merely serves as an illustration for the heat, but this is likely to catch parents off guard and require a conversation that they didn't sign up for. Since the book is about combating discrimination, it seems odd that one of the letters included would reference a story with so much racial baggage. Surely, out of the whole collection, there would have been something else more appropriate.
Secondly, the timeline in the back specifically names three Democrat presidents who were involved in future reevaluations of the interment camps, but does not name Ronald Reagan for the timeline entry about the U.S. government finally apologizing for what happened. This seems to be nothing more than bias on the author's part, since it breaks with her format and approach. Also, she only refers to an apology, without mentioning that the U.S. government actually paid reparations to many survivors. This is a very significant fact, and even though not all readers will look through the timeline anyway, the author should have included this.
k_b00kish's review against another edition
4.0
Good picture book for older children in talking out Japanese internment in the US during WWII, based on the experience of a public librarian for San Diego Public Library
fernandie's review against another edition
4.0
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
jackiemcguire's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I very much enjoyed the text and illustrations throughout this book. It provided a unique insight into what life in Japanese Internment camps in California and Arizona were like during WWII, as well as the many hardships faced as a result of racist policies. The bibliography and timelines at the back allowed me to search for more pertinent information on the subjects discussed. I would suggest this book for children 8-12.
lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fascinating book about the internment of Japanese children during WWII and their correspondence with the librarian, Clara Breed. Breed wrote regularly to around 30 children who were imprisoned and sent them books and other supplies. Highly recommended.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
When hundreds of thousands of Japanese-Americans were forced to leave their homes, their livelihoods, everything, and move to prison camps, some kept in touch with their local public librarian. This librarian, Clara Breed, sent books, letters, necessities, and comfort items to the young children, and they wrote her postcards back. She kept these postcards, and this is what this book is about. I appreciated the photographs and the brief history of Japanese people in the U.S. This book is illustrated by a Japanese artist who perfectly captured the mood and emotions of this time.