Weedflower (by Cynthia Kadohata)
common sense media says
Fresh perspective on WWII Japanese internment camps.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
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.
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.
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jibran_pcc
parent of 15 year old
parent of 15 year old
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can helpkate
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khrystyna
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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!!
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23SEAGLASS
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Great Book
Good historical fiction book. I really enjoyed it. This book talks about the internment camps for Japanese. A good book to read.
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MioSegami
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
An amazing book (A little spoiler of the book)
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.
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