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Weedflower

(2009, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Cynthia Kadohata)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fresh perspective on WWII Japanese internment camps.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A mother refuses to let Sumiko attend her daughter's birthday party because Sumiko is Japanese. Sumiko's aunt tells her that "taking care of old men's feet was one of a woman's jobs." Sumiko's family burn all their Japanese items so they are not accused of being unpatriotic. Children in the camp steal food and don't obey their parents. A group of kids steals a chicken and one boy suggests drinking its blood; one boy cracks its neck to kill it. Sumiko's friend Sachi lies all the time. When the Japanese basketball team plays an Indian team, the Indians are "told to stay away from the Camp Three girls."

  • Violence:

    The book is set in the early 1940s and discusses Pearl Harbor and World War II. Frank's brother is killed in battle. People in the camp beat up a man they believe is an informant. Sumiko can hear him groaning and wants to help but her brothers tell her "absolutely not." Boys beat up Frank; Sumiko hits one of the boys in the face with a stick. There is almost a fight after a basketball game but Sumiko's brother diffuses the situation.

     

  • Sex:

    Sumiko's brother likes to date many girls.

  • Language:

    Derogatory language such as "Japs" and "Indian lover."

  • Consumerism:

    White people swoop down on Japanese neighborhoods to buy household goods, etc., at a fraction of what the items are worth.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Sumiko tries smoking a cigarette like some of the other kids but she gets so sick two boys need to carry her home. Older teens, including Sumiko's brothers, smoke.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Weedflower

Parents need to know the book addresses issues of racism and discrimination during World War II, including the internment of Japanese-Americans. There are two incidents of groups beating up individuals, descriptions of cigarette smoking by teens, and several examples of children stealing.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Sumiko's idea of "ultimate boredom," which she describes as "dread of your own mind, dread of the next day, the next hour, the next minute." How does Sumiko fight this condition?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    khrystyna
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    Perfect for ages 10+!

    I am 14, and I have read this book for my english assignment, the book I had to choose had to have issues of discrimination. Which is why I have chosen this book. It is educational because it puts us in the character' shoes, we get to know how it feels to be discriminated, to know that how it feels when a country you were born in hates you, to get to know how it feels to live in such harsh conditions.In other words we receive a history lesson and an english lesson from this book, but the book is very entertaining and emotional. I would recommend this book to anyone!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    23SEAGLASS
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Great Book

    Good historical fiction book. I really enjoyed it. This book talks about the internment camps for Japanese. A good book to read.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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