2016
WISE Score
Amazon
A quiet, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful look at a 10-year-old's life behind barbed wire—bring tissues for the dog stuff.
4.6
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This isn't 'fun' in the way a Wimpy Kid book is fun, but it's a necessary read. Sepahban takes the massive, ugly history of Japanese internment and shrinks it down to the size of a 10-year-old girl's heart.
It’s quiet, sad, and incredibly well-paced. If your kid is into 'Inside Out' levels of big emotions, this is a winner. It’s a 2016 book that feels timeless, and it's a great way to talk about civil rights without it feeling like a lecture.
Ideal for ages 9 to 12. It’s sophisticated enough for a middle school history supplement but written simply enough that a 4th grader won't get stuck on the vocabulary.
It centers on family loyalty and the emotional resilience of a young girl. While the setting is a prison camp, the tone is gentle and focuses on healing and small acts of kindness.
The protagonist uses drawing and 'paper wishes' to cope with trauma, which encourages kids to see art as a powerful tool for expression and hope.
Very safe for the target age group. There is no profanity or graphic violence, though the historical reality of internment and the loss of a pet are emotionally heavy.
An incredible empathy-builder. It tackles a dark spot in American history (Japanese internment) through a relatable, child-sized lens without being overly academic.
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