Weedflower

Weedflower (book)
Author Cynthia Kadohata
Cover artist Lisa Vega
Country United States
Language English
Genre Children's fiction
Set in United States, 1941
Published 1 April 2006
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks
Media type Print
Pages 260
ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3

Weedflower is an American children's historial fiction novel by Cynthia Kadohata, who received the Newbery and Whiting Awards. The cover photography of the first edition is by Kamil Vojnar. The story is set in the United States and told from the perspective of twelve-year-old, Japanese-American Sumiko. This book is recommended for ages 10–14. An 6.5 hours long audiobook version of Weedflower, read by Kimberly Farr, has been published.[1]

Plot

The story began ecstatically in 1941 when the main character Sumiko got invited to a birthday party for her classmate.[2]

On the following Saturday, Sumiko went to the party with a gift her Uncle bought. However, she was uninvited into the house because of her Japanese identity! When she returned home. she lied to her family so they would not be disappointed. Afterwards, she told the truth to her cousin Bull, and little brother Tak-Tak.[3]

To Sumiko's surprise, Japan bombed Hawaii's Pearl Harbor the next day. The United States declared war on Japan. Sumiko and her family were forced to burn everything that may seem "disloyal" or suspicious, including Sumiko's dead parents' photo. Sumiko was kept home from school. Her grandfather Jii-chan was arrested because of being first-generation Japanese (issei) and formal principal of Japanese school, and her uncle for being former president of a Japanese flower growing association.[4]

By the end of February, more than two thousand Japanese have been arrested without a crime, and sent to prison camps. Gradually, all Japanese, including Sumiko's family, had to leave their homes and belongings and go to reception camps. Sumiko had to leave her flower farm, and move twice afterwards from the San Carlos racetrack camp to Poston War Relocation Center in Poston, Arizona.[5]

When Sumiko arrived at her "permanent" camp in Poston, she met many people, including Sachi, Mr.Moto, and an Indian boy called Frank, who eventually became her first real friend. Sumiko snuck to see him, as the Japanese generally resented the Indians. Sumiko also gardened in her pastime to relive her memories from her flower farm back in her Californian home.[6]

Several months later, the United States announced that the Japanese could go outside the camp to be employed. After initial reluctance, Sumiko left with her Auntie to a sewing factory in Illinois. Her cousins, Bull and Ichiro, went to fight for the army. After saying an abrupt, quick goodbye to Frank, she left the camp, and sought out her future in Illinois.[7]

Awards, Achievements, and Recognition 

ALA Best Books for Young Adults Nominee
ALA Notable Children's Book Nominee
Agatha Award Finalist
Booklist Editors' Choice
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
Charlie May Simon Book Award ML (AR)
Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List (VT)
IRA/CBC Children's Choices
Indian Paintbrush Book Award Master List (WY)
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List
Keystone to Reading Book Award Master List (PA)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Master List
Nene Award Master List (HI)
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
PEN USA Literary Award for Children's Literature
Texas Bluebonnet Master List
Young Hoosier Book Award Master List (IN)[8]

Reception

Critical reception has been mostly positive. Weedflower has received reviews from BookPage, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly, and starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal. BookPage had stated that the novel provides a "well-rounded look at a painful moment in this country's history."[9] Booklist praised that the novel had "beautifully individualized characters". The School Library Journal said "the concise yet lyrical prose conveys [Sumiko's] story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience". Publishers Weekly stated that "Kadohata clearly and eloquently conveys her heroine's mixture of shame, anger and courage".[10] Kirkus claimed that the story is "quietly powerful".[11] On the other hand, VOYA magazine criticized that the book has "inconsistent and flat characterization and a narrative tendency to tell rather than to show, as well as an overabundance of exclamation points".[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "AudioFile Review: WEEDFLOWER by Cynthia Kadohata". AudioFile 2006. September 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  2. ↑ Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. Aladdin Paperbacks. pp. 1–22. ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3.
  3. ↑ Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. Aladdin Paperbacks. pp. 23–43. ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3.
  4. ↑ Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. Aladdin Paperbacks. pp. 44–65. ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3.
  5. ↑ Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. Aladdin Paperbacks. pp. 66–107. ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3.
  6. ↑ Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. Aladdin Paperbacks. pp. 108–202. ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3.
  7. ↑ Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. Aladdin Paperbacks. pp. 231–257. ISBN 978-1-4169-7566-3.
  8. ↑ "Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata". Simon and Schuster. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "Bookpage review: Weedflower-a garden in the desert". Angela Leeper, 1996-2014 BookPage and ProMotion, Inc. April 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Publishers Weekly Review: Weedflower". PWxyz,LLC. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "Kirkus review: WEEDFLOWER". Atheneum. 15 March 2006.
  12. ↑ "Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata". Tim Capehart, Athenum/S&S. 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2014.