Gaijin: American Prisoner of War
With a white mother and a Japanese father, Koji Miyamoto quickly realizes that his home in San Francisco is no longer a welcoming one after Pearl Harbor is attacked. And once he's sent to an internment camp, he learns that being half white at the camp is just as difficult as being half Japanese on the streets of an American city during WWII. Koji's story, based on true events, is brought to life by Matt Faulkner's cinematic illustrations that reveal Koji struggling to find his place in a tumultuous world-one where he is a prisoner of war in his own country. A related educator guide created by our colleague Rachael Walker is also available.
Culture/Community: Japanese / Japanese American
Heritage & History: Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage and History
Themes for Middle Grade/YA: Bicultural Kids, Coming of Age, Identity, Immigration, War
Audiobook: No
Age Level: Middle Grade
9781423137351