Paper Wishes

"Strong words. Brave words." Gently, insistently, Sepahban's spare, lyrical prose draws you in deep. This story of a Japanese-American family herded off to an internment camp during WWII, and their struggle with loss, their strength and their survival, is centered upon the character of the youngest family member: 10-year-old Manami. Manami's parents and grandfather are loving and supportive but traditional. They do not share their fears or discuss the war, the hateful policy of internment, or its deep negative effects with Manami. Within the family there is silence, and without there is the silence of the looming, spreading desert where the camp lies. But the silence that weighs the most upon Manami is the missing voice of Yujiin, the beloved dog she was forced to leave behind when they were "evacuated". Manami knows she is deeply cared for, but how can she bear so much silence without it becoming a part of herself? And if that silence becomes a part of her, can she ever go free? I was struck by Sepahban's insight, her luminous writing, and the wonder to be found in this wise, rich story.

I just finished reading this book to my son and daughter, ages 10 and 8. My father, their grandfather, and his entire family were interned at Topaz in Delta, Utah during the war, ripped from their home in Oakland, CA. While I have tried to explain the camps to them many times, this thoughtful book, told from the perspective of a girl, really struck a cord with them and gave them insight as to what the camps really meant to families, to a child in particular. They could empathize with the hardship and guilt of having to give up a loved one and part of the family. We all had tears in our eyes after several chapters. They now have a better understanding of a part of Amercian history that should never be forgotten. And they learned that the human spirit is strong and resilient, and that love keeps people together.

This is a middle grade historical fiction about a young Japanese American girl and her family and their relocation to a prison camp in California following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. My favorite quote from the book is something that is personal to me and how I've been feeling this year. "He will not replace Yujiin in your heart. But he will make your heart bigger to fit himself inside, too." I've lost my two kitties this past year within 9 months of each other. I've been having a hard time with it. Yesterday, we caught a wild kitten. I told my kids that I don't know if I'm ready for another kitten. This quote really struck something with me and the difficult time I've been having since I lost them. Besides dealing with the loss of a pet, it also brings to light a tragic time in US history. It's so sad what so many went through.

The writing is phenomenal. We felt so connected to the characters, brought to the point of tears more than once. It’s been difficult to find children’s books specifically on the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during WW2, so I bought this on a whim for our homeschool study on WW2 in America. My first grader begged for me to read more at EVERY sitting. Highly recommend for elementary-middle school ages. (In my opinion, nothing was too intense for younger grades, although discussions could get much more in depth with older grades.)

Paper Wishes is about a Manami, a Japanese-American girl who is relocated from her island home to an internment camp in the middle of the desert during WWII. The shock of her new life in a prison camp combined with the trauma of being forced to abandon her dog, takes the words away from Manami, and she spends much of the book in silence. Life in the prison camp is nothing like life back on the island where she walked on the beach with her dog and Grandpa. Where she loved her school and playing with her friends. Where she didn’t have to share a small room with her parents and grandfather, and other families too. Where there is only dust and soldiers and not enough tea. As much as your heart will break for Manami, Lois Sepahban is masterful at weaving hope and love and friendship into this story. The book is rich in details – you can feel the dust on your skin and the heat of the harsh sun. Beautifully written, this is a book that belongs on everyone’s shelves.

A gentle, yet powerful story written from the perspective of a young Japanese-American girl as she and her family have to endure evacuation and internment during World War II. Although young, her strength shines throughout the story and we are drawn into all the she and her family must face as their lives change before them. The deep love and devotion that the family shares, helps carry them through this difficult period. A simple and beautiful story that readers of any age with enjoy and opens our eyes to a sad part of our American history.

A historical, thought-provoking novel about a young girl mentally trying to survive her family's relocation to a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Although this story could be used as summer reading, I sure wish I had used it for instructional purposes with my 4th graders this past school year. If you end up using this book with students, make sure to check out the author's website which provides Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Level 1-2 and Level 3-4 comprehension/discussion questions. IG: @goodreadsformiddlereaders

I bought this for my middle school classroom. They lived The War that saved my life last year so I was looking for some more history for their fiction section. One of my reluctant readers picked this up and FINISHED it and then talked about it!!! I haven’t read it yet as it is in another students hands, but I may need another copy.

This book was interesting and heart warming. I love it and I highly recommend it. Let Manami take you away in the amazing world she lives in

Cute book and fast delivery