A few weeks ago I shared Teresa’s first book, “Doing My Part” with you. This week’s book is the second in her World War II series.
Here’s what the back cover says about the story:
Here’s what the back cover says about the story:
Based on a true story in the winter of 1943…
Fourteen-year-old Tai Shimoda’s family has lost everything. Like many other Japanese-Americans at the start of World War II, Tai’s family has been forced to leave their home and move to Tule Lake Relocation Center— a desolate camp surrounded by barbed wire in northern California.
Though he misses his home in Sacramento, Tai keeps busy at Tule Lake hanging out with friends and training for the judo tournament. But as tensions in camp rise, Tai’s brother, Ben, joins a group that has refused to swear
allegiance to the United States. They call themselves the No-Nos. Tai’s father calls them Disloyals. Soon Tai must decide what he believes. Will he join his beloved brother and the No-Nos or, like his father, remain true to America?
Readers, don’t miss the last few pages to learn more about the real kids of Tule Lake.
Fourteen-year-old Tai Shimoda’s family has lost everything. Like many other Japanese-Americans at the start of World War II, Tai’s family has been forced to leave their home and move to Tule Lake Relocation Center— a desolate camp surrounded by barbed wire in northern California.
Though he misses his home in Sacramento, Tai keeps busy at Tule Lake hanging out with friends and training for the judo tournament. But as tensions in camp rise, Tai’s brother, Ben, joins a group that has refused to swear
allegiance to the United States. They call themselves the No-Nos. Tai’s father calls them Disloyals. Soon Tai must decide what he believes. Will he join his beloved brother and the No-Nos or, like his father, remain true to America?
Readers, don’t miss the last few pages to learn more about the real kids of Tule Lake.
Once again Teresa has done an outstanding job weaving fiction and fact together. As I read her book, I could feel what life in an internment camp must have been like. The pride of the Japanese culture is beautifully portrayed through the lives of Tai’s parents, relatives and other families in the camp. The emotions of being a teen in troubled times are brought forward as Tai struggles with wanting to do the right thing both for his parents and his big brother Ben who’s become one of the No-No boys.
Thought Teresa’s books you will learn about what life was like during World War II in a way you won’t learn in a history book. She’s done a wonderful job reaching into the lives of her characters, real and fictional, to show us all a piece of American history.
How does Teresa take her book beyond reading? At the end of the story, Teresa introduces you to the people whom the story is based on. She give insight into life back in the 1940’s, has a glossary of the Japanese words that were used throughout the story and has the questions 27 and 28 of the “War Department’s War Relocation Authority Loyalty Questionnaire” that helped separate those who were loyal from those who were not.
In addition to all that, she has kits made up for homes schooling, book clubs and classroom study. You can read about them at Bailiwick Press. These kits help students and adults alike experience more about our great American history and pride in our country.
Where can you purchase this book?
Bailiwick Press
posted by Joy Delgado
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We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
Check out what’s going on at the zoo!
Zooprise Party / Fiesta Zoorpresa blog
