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eowyns_helmet's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story and it's a great way to introduce teens to the racism of World War II, sadly still so much a factor in contemporary America. Smart, well-written, perceptive. Recommend.
uwuramengirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
3.5
abbyrosereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
leahegood's review against another edition
5.0
How can someone be loyal to a country that has cast him out? How can love survive when all the odds stand against it? How can goodness prevail when those fighting for freedom also violate the virtue they've gone to war to protect?
Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamasaki were never meant to be together ... yet they are determined to be together anyway. But that was before Pearl Harbor. Before people saw an enemy in the slant of Taichi's eyes and the tint of his skin. Before he was evacuated to a detainment camp with no idea of when or if he'll be allowed to leave. What can two young people fresh out of high school do in the face of such overwhelming opposition?
I am so happy I stumbled across the opportunity to read Stephanie Morrill's new book to help with its launch. I was a little skeptical at the love story premise. I like my fiction to be clean and relatively free of sappiness. Happily, I can report that this book, though definitely holding a love story, is both clean (a few mentions of kissing) and any sappiness holds a hard won place in the story.
WWII holds such a prominent place in our countries history. Our memories of the Greatest Generation are closely tied to heroic deeds and rousing patriotism. In the midst of all the well deserved laud, it's easy to overlook the grimmer parts of the USA's journey through WWII. Morrill does a fantastic job of shedding light on this page of history with raw realism, sensitivity, and relevance.
I'm still processing the themes and lessons of this book (stay tuned for a probably future blog post), but this quote from Evalina resonated with me, "As the brilliant sunset cools to gray, I vow my anger over blatant discrimination will not cool. As these rocks stay steady through season changes and time, so I will remain steady. I will not be silent. I will not let this go.” Stories like this remind me not to judge neighbors (Luke 10:25-37) based on fear and assumptions. Stories like this inspire me to be courageously compassionate, fiercely loyal, and graciously determined. And stories like this remind me that holding to one's convictions and moral compass is always the right course of action, even when your pride is bruised and your loyalty tested.
I'm excited for this book to release and for others to enjoy it as much as I did.
*I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of this book free of charge. I am under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.
P.S. Want to read another book set around the Japanese Internment Camps? Try [b:Weedflower|224392|Weedflower|Cynthia Kadohata|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389240169s/224392.jpg|217318].
Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamasaki were never meant to be together ... yet they are determined to be together anyway. But that was before Pearl Harbor. Before people saw an enemy in the slant of Taichi's eyes and the tint of his skin. Before he was evacuated to a detainment camp with no idea of when or if he'll be allowed to leave. What can two young people fresh out of high school do in the face of such overwhelming opposition?
I am so happy I stumbled across the opportunity to read Stephanie Morrill's new book to help with its launch. I was a little skeptical at the love story premise. I like my fiction to be clean and relatively free of sappiness. Happily, I can report that this book, though definitely holding a love story, is both clean (a few mentions of kissing) and any sappiness holds a hard won place in the story.
WWII holds such a prominent place in our countries history. Our memories of the Greatest Generation are closely tied to heroic deeds and rousing patriotism. In the midst of all the well deserved laud, it's easy to overlook the grimmer parts of the USA's journey through WWII. Morrill does a fantastic job of shedding light on this page of history with raw realism, sensitivity, and relevance.
I'm still processing the themes and lessons of this book (stay tuned for a probably future blog post), but this quote from Evalina resonated with me, "As the brilliant sunset cools to gray, I vow my anger over blatant discrimination will not cool. As these rocks stay steady through season changes and time, so I will remain steady. I will not be silent. I will not let this go.” Stories like this remind me not to judge neighbors (Luke 10:25-37) based on fear and assumptions. Stories like this inspire me to be courageously compassionate, fiercely loyal, and graciously determined. And stories like this remind me that holding to one's convictions and moral compass is always the right course of action, even when your pride is bruised and your loyalty tested.
I'm excited for this book to release and for others to enjoy it as much as I did.
*I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of this book free of charge. I am under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.
P.S. Want to read another book set around the Japanese Internment Camps? Try [b:Weedflower|224392|Weedflower|Cynthia Kadohata|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389240169s/224392.jpg|217318].
leeve_me_alone3217's review against another edition
4.0
this was every bit as beautiful as the events are tragic
misterintensity's review against another edition
4.0
Italian American Evalina and Japanese American Taichi are dating. Their relationship is put to test when the U.S. government interns Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. With Taichi in an internment camp, Evalina struggles to keep the relationship alive. Morrill wrote a powerful story that shows the impact of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II on an interracial couple. Evalina and Taichi is already a couple when the novel begins, albeit their relationship is kept a secret from both sets of parents. The novel alternates between Taichi's life inside Manzanar Relocation Center and Evalina's life outside of it. The book excels at showing what went on at Manzanar, particularly the tension between Japanese Americans who supported the United States's are effort and those who supported Japan's. Evalina and Taichi are the point of view characters but we also spend some time with their family and friends which makes their story feel more natural, although some readers may find one or both characters and their romance a little too "perfect." Highly recommended for libraries that want to build their young adult historical fiction collections.
lady_mair's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5 STARS)
For bringing to light a portion of American history that I knew nothing about, I would give this 4 stars. The narrators just pulled it down a bit for me. I wanted to connect deeper with Taichi and Evalina, I wanted to ship their romance, but didn’t. I think I got thrown off by the fact that the story begins after they’ve been in a relationship for a couple months, so I didn’t get to see their romance grow. It was just...there.
This book is still worth a read and the history is certainly worth revisiting and remembering.
For bringing to light a portion of American history that I knew nothing about, I would give this 4 stars. The narrators just pulled it down a bit for me. I wanted to connect deeper with Taichi and Evalina, I wanted to ship their romance, but didn’t. I think I got thrown off by the fact that the story begins after they’ve been in a relationship for a couple months, so I didn’t get to see their romance grow. It was just...there.
This book is still worth a read and the history is certainly worth revisiting and remembering.
emmierose_721's review against another edition
5.0
“ Sometimes loving another person feels like the most painful thing there is.”
Sometimes loving a beautiful book feels so painful once it ends. That’s how this book felt. It was highly depressing in some parts, while other parts were extremely tender. I loved the ups and downs this book had.
Evalina is a character that I simply aspire to be. Her activist tendencies were refreshing to see. Often young people are shamed for being politically active, however it’s good that young people learn about the world and everything going on. I love how strong she was in the midst of a terrible time in American history. Also, Taichi is absolutely adorable ❤️
The Relationship:
I found the relationship between Taichi and Evalina to be very sweet. I loved that these two characters had a beautiful ending even though everything else will never be the same again due to the effects of the war. The most emotional part, I felt, was when Evalina promised Taichi that she’d be there at the train station when he returned, and of course, she is. The tears!!
Sometimes loving a beautiful book feels so painful once it ends. That’s how this book felt. It was highly depressing in some parts, while other parts were extremely tender. I loved the ups and downs this book had.
Evalina is a character that I simply aspire to be. Her activist tendencies were refreshing to see. Often young people are shamed for being politically active, however it’s good that young people learn about the world and everything going on. I love how strong she was in the midst of a terrible time in American history. Also, Taichi is absolutely adorable ❤️
The Relationship:
I found the relationship between Taichi and Evalina to be very sweet. I loved that these two characters had a beautiful ending even though everything else will never be the same again due to the effects of the war. The most emotional part, I felt, was when Evalina promised Taichi that she’d be there at the train station when he returned, and of course, she is. The tears!!
kaycee_k's review against another edition
5.0
Within These Lines is a historical book that stole my heart. Historical is a genre that I don't read so much of, but this cover drew me in. I was quite surprised at how much the author made me feel. From happiness to tears. I enjoyed this book!
We start off by getting to know our two main characters, Evalina and Taichi. We learn about there world in 1941 (World War II) about how Pearl Harbor has affected the US. Evalina is an Italian-American while Taichi is the son of Japanese immigrants.
Evalina is a strong female character. She's passionate and loyal. We get to see her life as not only an Italian-American but in love with someone whom most people are looking down on, saying that he and his family aren't Americans and should be here. But that's just the start when he gets sent off to Manzanar Relocation Center (one of ten American concentration camps.) I never learned about this while in school it was until I was out of school when I learned about it., so to get to read about that and see what life was like for them brock my heart. Taichi is a sweet and caring character, to read about what he went through, and how much he loves is inspiring.
All in all, this has been my favorite read so far this year. Within These Lines is filled with the heart of these characters, but the sorrow of our history.
I was sent an ARC, this is a 100% honest review.
We start off by getting to know our two main characters, Evalina and Taichi. We learn about there world in 1941 (World War II) about how Pearl Harbor has affected the US. Evalina is an Italian-American while Taichi is the son of Japanese immigrants.
Evalina is a strong female character. She's passionate and loyal. We get to see her life as not only an Italian-American but in love with someone whom most people are looking down on, saying that he and his family aren't Americans and should be here. But that's just the start when he gets sent off to Manzanar Relocation Center (one of ten American concentration camps.) I never learned about this while in school it was until I was out of school when I learned about it., so to get to read about that and see what life was like for them brock my heart. Taichi is a sweet and caring character, to read about what he went through, and how much he loves is inspiring.
All in all, this has been my favorite read so far this year. Within These Lines is filled with the heart of these characters, but the sorrow of our history.
I was sent an ARC, this is a 100% honest review.