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thenovelmaura's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
5.0
I absolutely loved this powerful YA historical fiction read and I hope you'll consider adding it to your TBR. I want to start my review by saying that the word "internment" is a euphemism for the mass incarceration of these American citizens during World War II. It is more accurate to describe the places where Japanese Americans were held as either prison or concentration camps, and I will be using the language of incarceration here.
Honestly, I when I saw that there were 14 main characters in this book, I was a bit wary! I thought it would be hard to keep track of everyone, and I did use guide at the front of the book many times! However, Chee's characters were so distinct and vibrant that I only needed a brief reminder before I placed them within the group. Through these teens, Chee is able to explore a multitude of reactions to the injustice of their incarcerations; Frankie and Aiko's anger, Bette and Stan's optimism, Mas and Yum-Yum's sense of duty.
I deeply appreciated the range of this book, from the initial evacuation, to the relocation to Tule Lake, to the deployment of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and everything in between. I don't often cry while reading, but I teared up at both the beginning and the end of this one. Despite the heavy subject, there were also many moments of levity, humor, and hope. This topic likely hits close to home if you are related to a formerly-incarcerated Japanese person, so I understand if it's not one you feel comfortable picking up. But for everyone else, this is a must-read.
Honestly, I when I saw that there were 14 main characters in this book, I was a bit wary! I thought it would be hard to keep track of everyone, and I did use guide at the front of the book many times! However, Chee's characters were so distinct and vibrant that I only needed a brief reminder before I placed them within the group. Through these teens, Chee is able to explore a multitude of reactions to the injustice of their incarcerations; Frankie and Aiko's anger, Bette and Stan's optimism, Mas and Yum-Yum's sense of duty.
I deeply appreciated the range of this book, from the initial evacuation, to the relocation to Tule Lake, to the deployment of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and everything in between. I don't often cry while reading, but I teared up at both the beginning and the end of this one. Despite the heavy subject, there were also many moments of levity, humor, and hope. This topic likely hits close to home if you are related to a formerly-incarcerated Japanese person, so I understand if it's not one you feel comfortable picking up. But for everyone else, this is a must-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism
amina2002's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book taught me so much about the Japanese concentration camps that were created during WW2 because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The author was able to use her own family’s experiences in these camps to depict these character arcs. I didn’t know how far the American government really went to keep Japanese Americans away from the rest of society. In history class this was definitely glossed over and seemed like it really wasn’t that bad. In the beginning I thought that 14 perspectives would be way too much but since all of the characters were friends with each other we still got to learn about most of the characters in each chapter. I absolutely loved the potential romances in this book with Twitchy and Keiko, and Frankie and Bette, it was so cute and heartbreaking at the same time. I just wanted happiness and freedom for these kids who are Americans but happen to share an ethnicity with people who chose to come after the US. Honestly these concentration camps were eerily similar to what I have learned about what was happening in Germany around the same time. Mas’s storyline where he joins the army to prove his loyalty but not having freedom in the country just aligns with how African Americans were treated at the time. How Japanese people were treated after they were able to go back home is similar to that of Asian Americans today due to the coronavirus. So many of them live in fear because Asian American hate crimes have increased substantially and people blame anybody that is Chinese or “looks Chinese”.
The friendships in this book were incredible and I was amazed by how they continued to grow closer together when they are in such a tough situation. I really wish that I had a group of friends who will be there for each other no matter where they are in their lives. I loved this book so much and even though it is just a YA book I feel like people can truly learn so much. I can’t wait to learn more.
The friendships in this book were incredible and I was amazed by how they continued to grow closer together when they are in such a tough situation. I really wish that I had a group of friends who will be there for each other no matter where they are in their lives. I loved this book so much and even though it is just a YA book I feel like people can truly learn so much. I can’t wait to learn more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
keelin's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Death of parent, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
michelejenn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
storiesandsidequests's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This historical fiction YA novel is the collective account of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the mass U.S. incarcerations of World War II. As a Japanese-American, this book hit so hard. I’m not generally an emotional person but I teared up several times reading this. Although the characters are all connected, it was a little difficult keeping track of all of them since there are so many perspectives. However, it was easy to connect with each character when we were reading from their point of view.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Violence
ericalane's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
5.0
I was not prepared to start crying during my work day...
This book was beautifully heartbreaking. I listened to the audiobook and it was really well done and I really enjoyed it. I do wonder if I would have preferred to read a physical copy just because of the concept of the book, but also really liked listening.
I really like the characters, and how each character was connected and the way each person's story was tied into the book as a whole.
This book was beautifully heartbreaking. I listened to the audiobook and it was really well done and I really enjoyed it. I do wonder if I would have preferred to read a physical copy just because of the concept of the book, but also really liked listening.
I really like the characters, and how each character was connected and the way each person's story was tied into the book as a whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
kindredbooks's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Grab a box of tissues. You’ll need it. This book was heartbreakingly perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
sunsetcity's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a very powerful book about a topic that is not often talked about in history, the internment of Japanese people during WWII in both America and Canada. This book did a really good job of exploring the different emotions and facets of this time period through 14 different perspectives. I also really enjoyed how each perspective was very unique in voice and in story telling method (some were in second person, plural, and even in verse). All the differing emotions that each character faced while in these camps or fighting for a country that had held them captive was really explored well and interesting to read. My only criticism was that I got confused between characters quite a bit and it did take me a little while to ground myself in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
mandkips's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Torture, and Hate crime
eeeva's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse