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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
dark
informative
reflective
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
This graphic novel based on the author's family history uses the same plot device as books such as [b:The Devil's Arithmetic|91357|The Devil's Arithmetic|Jane Yolen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1342046407l/91357._SX50_.jpg|1310677] in which a young modern protagonist with little knowledge of her grandparent travels through time to experience first hand what that generation experienced. It's an excellent trope and works well in Hughes' hands.
I read George Takei's [b:They Called Us Enemy|42527866|They Called Us Enemy|George Takei|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541125895l/42527866._SX50_.jpg|66245778] last year and of course they draw comparisons. If a reader is only going to read one and/or prefers a true memoir, then I admit I would recommend Takei's over this one, but if you want a stronger activist tone or would like the narrative to be from the perspective of the younger generation trying to understand the past, then this one is a great fit. It's important to have more quality books depicting this part of our country's history.
Content notes:
I read George Takei's [b:They Called Us Enemy|42527866|They Called Us Enemy|George Takei|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541125895l/42527866._SX50_.jpg|66245778] last year and of course they draw comparisons. If a reader is only going to read one and/or prefers a true memoir, then I admit I would recommend Takei's over this one, but if you want a stronger activist tone or would like the narrative to be from the perspective of the younger generation trying to understand the past, then this one is a great fit. It's important to have more quality books depicting this part of our country's history.
Content notes:
Spoiler
There are some gentle, age-appropriate demonstrations of f/f romance but nothing more than hand holding and a sweet kiss. There is very little, if any, profanity, no nudity, and allusions but no depictions of violence, so this would be appropriate for upper elementary and up.
The best YA graphic novel of the year for me so far. I came for the initial story, but this memoir turned into a huge history lesson for me and my daughter who read it with me. I loved the illustrations and listening to history from the point of view of the characters in the novel. I was lucky enough to see Kiku speak during a Library Journal virtual even so I did have a little preview to rope me into the story, otherwise, I might not have seen it though it is fabulous, it is a YA graphic novel of which I usually fall behind reading being so focused on kids' stuff. From personal experience, this is a good one to read with your kids and open to discussions on race, discrimination, and familial history. Check it out!
The best YA graphic novel of the year for me so far. I came for the initial story, but this memoir turned into a huge history lesson for me and my daughter who read it with me. I loved the illustrations and listening to history from the point of view of the characters in the novel. I was lucky enough to see Kiku speak during a Library Journal virtual even so I did have a little preview to rope me into the story, otherwise, I might not have seen it though it is fabulous, it is a YA graphic novel of which I usually fall behind reading being so focused on kids' stuff. From personal experience, this is a good one to read with your kids and open to discussions on race, discrimination, and familial history. Check it out!
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is an interesting look at the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII and how the effects of it are still being felt, both by those who lived it and by those who came after.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
So deeply prevalent know and so emotional I def teared up a couple times the art was so pretty and the message of ancestry and generational trauma always hits
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-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
A powerful history lesson and family story wrapped up in a beautiful volume. Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Grief, Religious bigotry
Minor: Murder, War