46 pages • 1 hour read
Cynthia KadohataA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The next morning, one of the family’s neighbors, Mr. Hirata, delivers sobering news: Japan bombed Hawaii at Pearl Harbor, and war is imminent. They must now burn all their belongings that contain traces of Japanese language or culture. Even the photo of Sumiko’s parents must be burned because it has a Japanese flag in the background. Auntie and Uncle are afraid of being arrested if the government thinks that they’re disloyal to the US. Outside in the distance, Sumiko can see trails of smoke, which reveal that their neighbors are also burning their Japanese belongings.
The following day, the US declares war on Japan. Mr. Hirata arrives with another warning: The FBI has started arresting Japanese community leaders and Issei, first-generation Japanese immigrants. Jiichan packs a suitcase, and by the end of the day, men come to take him and Uncle away. The family has no idea where Jiichan and Uncle have been taken or what will happen to them, and they all sit in silence that evening.
By Cynthia Kadohata
Asian American & Pacific Islander...
View Collection
Books About Art
View Collection
Books About Race in America
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Coming-of-Age Journeys
View Collection
Community
View Collection
Equality
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
Fiction with Strong Female Protagonists
View Collection
Friendship
View Collection
Japanese Literature
View Collection
Juvenile Literature
View Collection
Memorial Day Reads
View Collection
Military Reads
View Collection
Order & Chaos
View Collection
Pride & Shame
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
Trust & Doubt
View Collection
War
View Collection
World War II
View Collection