For sixteen
years the Santa Monica Library system has held a reading program called Santa
Monica Reads where one book is read and discussed by readers. In years past
they have had fiction and graphic novels. This year they choose this true story
of life inside a Japanese American internment camp.
The idea of
the read is to gather people together reading one book and discussing it over a
period 0f time.
This year they made a better choice than last
years’ graphic novel.
With the
present state of political instability – Muslim fear—this book shows a true
historical knee jerk reaction. In this case it was against the Japanese
American’s who resided in the United States during the outbreak of America’s
response to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
If this is
to be one point discussed in the groups, the present-day concern about Muslims
and trying to make a template out of what happened in the 40’s, I think there is
very little ground to do that. You should not interpret events of history with
twenty first century lens. Back then it was a president who wanted us in war
and egged the Japanese government to attack us. Today it is just a reminder
that we must be careful how we treat our citizens.
The story
told by Houston is well written and easy to read.
Being taken
from the place where you live to be placed in an interment camp located elsewhere
brings about changes. It disrupts families and societies. This is a coming of
age story that is also a historical reminder. History should never be forgotten.
History is
people, not events. Yes, events happen but people are there. It puts flesh to
the event.
This book is
copyrighted 1973. The reason it is still in print could be because it is human
interest.
It is
published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishing company and the paperback
retails for $9.99. See if your library has a copy.
