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.
Positive 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.
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.
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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!!
It's a great book, with educational logic about the bombing of pearl habor. Otherwise this book has little romance, funny book and is a very entertaining book. I recommend this to all book readers/lovers. Some people think that it doesn't have romance, but think about Frank's and Sumiko's relationship, i confind that their relationship is romantic, but it shows it by small actions, like when Frank keeps glancing at her, and especially when Sumiko brings her cousin to meet Frank's broher. Joseph agreed and said "You're right. She is very pretty"..I think it was what the dialouge said.