PAPER WISHES by Lois Sepahban tells the heartbreaking story of a family sent to a Japanese-American relocation camp during World War II.
Ten-year-old Manami and her dog lead a happy life in Washington until her family is uprooted and imprisoned in a California camp called Manzanar far from home. Manami is deeply affected by her missing dog and refuses to speak. The love of her family and a compassionate teacher keep hope alive.
The author’s moving story and simple, vivid descriptions of camp life bring this tragic piece of American history alive for middle grade readers.
Librarians will find this work of historical fiction to be an excellent addition to their growing collection focusing on World War II Japanese internment camps. An author’s note provides background information about this tragic chapter of American history.
The short length of the book will make it popular among intermediate readers looking for a “skinny book” to read.
To learn more about the author, go to http://www.loissepahban.com/.
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan on January 5, 2015. ARC courtesy of publisher.
