I ordered a copy of Love in the Library for myself. Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s picture book is based on her grandparents’ story of incarceration at Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho during World War II. Yas Imamura’s soft, desert-toned artwork is perfect to accompany the story set in Idaho’s high desert.
The opening pages show a barbed war fence against a desert landscape and sky. Tama works in the library at the camp, and tries not to look at the guards as she walks to work. Every day, George waits at the door of the library with a stack of books. They had been at Minidoka for a year, uprooted from their lives on the West Coast and sent to prison camps. Tama should have graduated college by now. Instead, she’s working at a job she took because she loves books. And, she’s living in an uncomfortable camp with no privacy.
Despite the constant worry and fear, Tama found the escape through library books to be miraculous. And, despite her worries and fears, Tama finds that George is a constant companion who valued something in the camp, or really someone. He valued Tama. They were married, and their first son was born in Minidoka, and their love was constant.
Tokuda-Hall has a thoughtful Author’s Note that tells the story of Tama and George Tokuda, her maternal grandparents. More than 13,000 Japanese were imprisoned at Minidoka. 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned in camps after Pearl Harbor, for the “crime” of being Japanese. The author talks about miracles and joy and hope. It’s a bittersweet note after what her family went through in Minidoka.
I shared this book with my friend, Donna. We both wonder if this picture book is aimed at the right audience, children from six to nine. Although this book received starred reviews from most of the professional journals, I think so many of the concepts in the book are for an older audience. At what age do you talk to children about World War II, the Japanese incarceration in camps, losing your homes and everything you own, the indignity of living with no privacy and no control over your life? This might be the type of book to read with older children, to take the time to discuss the ideas in the book. Imamura’s artwork enhances the story, and it can be discussed as well.
For adults, try Naomi Hirahara’s Clark and Division. There’s Sandra Dallas’ Tallgrass. Sophie Littlefield wrote a brutal book, Garden of Stones. I’m sure there are a number of other novels, but I’ve read all three of these, and can recommend them. Now, I have Love in the Library as well.
Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Illustrated by Yas Imamura. Candlewick Press, 2022. ISBN 9781536204308 (hardcover), 40p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
Thanks for the excellent review, Lesa. I agree, this sounds like it should be shared with older readers. I’m definitely going to get it. I did read FAREWELL TO MANZANAR and saw the TV movie adaptation.
Although I read an interesting comment about Elie Wiesel’s Night, Jeff. When a group of parents objected years ago to a teacher using it with her class, she said, the author was twelve years old when the events in this book happened to him. These events do happen to twelve-year-olds. It all makes me think of the children in Ukraine right now.
To add to your list, I would recommend Snow Falling on Cedars. Excellent book on the topic set in the Pacific Northwest. I’d also recommend a trip to one of the Internment Camp Historic sites. I’ve visited Manzanar in Eastern CA. Being there and knowing what they, most of them US citizens, lost is thought provoking. A new site is scheduled to be added to the Park System, Camp Amache, on the dry grasslands southeast of Denver if politics allow.
I read Snow Falling on Cedars, MM, when it first came out. I just don’t remember it that well. Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. It’s all so sad.
And, as mentioned before, the excellent THEY CALLED US ENEMY.
Thank you, Rick.
My memory is bad, I read your post about 6 hours ago and just remember it now! i have not read Clark and Division, but I have read three of her LA based cozy mysteries. I took a class on Asian Literature at PCC and my term project was on Manzabar including pictures that I got permission to copy of the Arcadia sorting station of American Japanese people and a lot of their childen. My teacher had stayed in the Arcadia racetrack stables and then in Manzabar.
I loved George Takei’s graphic novel. But the most vivid for me was telling of my teacher’s childhood experience. I wish that she could have recorded as oral history.
I know what you mean, Carolee. A Holocaust surviver spoke to one of my college classes, and it was so vivid. It’s just horrible what we have done to other people over the years.
I love your insight into this book. I used picture books as ‘Mentor texts’ in my classroom for years to teach grammar, author’s purpose and writing construction so I always appreciate having books for an older audience. Yet I also know that I love using just about any story to break the ice, get a giggle or teach a concept. (I’m looking at you Vegetables in Underwear and Have You Seen My Hat?) On that note, have you tried the picture book called That Book Woman by Heather Henson and illustrated by David Small?? It is a story of a Packhorse Librarian and my grands were enchanted. It is not for the Kindergarten or below set but the 9 year old grasped it to her chest and said “We are never taking this back to the library. I love it too much.” and the 6 year old told me that I was a “Book woman” too! (My job here is done!) The illustrations (David Small’s watercolors) really enhance the book and the girls loved looking for the details as the story enfolded. (This would make a great parallel for those who read The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek or Giver of Stars.) Thanks so much for bringing another great book to us!
You’re welcome, but thank you for telling me about That Book Woman. I’m going to have to order that one. You’re right. You did a magnificent job with those grands! You had to buy a copy, didn’t you, since the 9 year old wouldn’t give it back? Oh, yes. You’re right.There are some wonderful picture books out there. Thank you!
It is great to read all these suggestions for books to read on this subject. I have Clark and Division and will look for some of the others.