WEEDFLOWER by Cynthia Kadohata

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689865740.

PLOT SUMMARY

As the only Japanese girl in her class, twelve-year-old Sumiko, already feels different from her classmates because of her ethnic heritage, but after the bombing of Pearl Harbor she realizes the full impact of fear and prejudice as her Japanese-born grandfather and uncle are sent to a prison camp and the rest of the family is relocated to a detention camp in the Arizona desert. Sumiko learns to survive in the desert and resists the temptation to succumb to the “ultimate boredom” which is her grandfather’s term for losing hope and giving up. Like the weedflowers that are grown in the fields instead of in a greenhouse, Sumiko overcomes the hardships of camp life, making a place for herself and keeping her dream of owning a flower shop alive.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

While this book is fiction, the setting for the story is historically accurate. Thousands of Japanese-American citizens, including the author’s father, were relocated to internment camps during World War II. Kadohata notes in the “Acknowledgments” that in many ways the story of Sumiko is the story of Ruth Okimoto, a former Poston internee who provided personal experience and research information. Kadohata’s descriptive details of camp and desert life will give young readers a feeling for what Sumiko’s life was like.

There was no fence, but, Sumiko realized, there was nowhere to go, either. She'd seen a guard gate when they drove by the first camp, but she didn't see one here. She knew what would happen if someone tried to escape into the desert. They would die of thirst.

Kadohata’s style of writing presents the complex issues of racial discrimination, prejudice, civil rights, and war without overpowering the story line or the reader. Kadohata not only includes discrimination against Japanese-Americans in this story, but also incorporates details of discriminatory practices against Native Americans in the 1940’s.

“Indians were declared citizens by the U.S. government in 1924, but the states decide individually who can vote or not. Arizona doesn’t allow it.” Frank turned to his brother for approval; Joseph nodded.

“I don’t want to vote anyway,” Sumiko said.

There was a silence. Bull said gently, “Still, they should have
the right, Sumi-chan.” Sumiko lowered her head and felt her face heat up again.

The theme of being different and trying to find a place to belong will resonate with young readers. Sumiko’s hurt at being snubbed at a party or embarrassment when singled out because she looks different are experiences that all children feel at some time. Readers will also be encouraged by Sumiko’s unwillingness to give in to the “ultimate boredom” and continue working to improve camp life and not give up on her dreams. Young readers may also be led to consider how Sumiko’s situation might mirror the feelings or experiences of Muslim or Arab-American children in today’s society.

In addition to the “Acknowledgment” at the beginning of the book, Kadohata also includes an “End Note” that provides information about the Japanese-American and Native American soldiers who served in World War II. She notes that at the end of the war Japanese and Hopi lived together for a brief period at the Poston camp. She also includes a note that Arizona granted Native Americans the right to vote in 1948.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

HORN BOOK: “The writing is mostly, though not consistently, compelling, with numerous details of camp life seamlessly woven into the story. Kadohata also adds some depth with a friendship between Sumiko and a Mohave boy (the camp is on tribal lands). The low-key tone and subdued dramatic arc fit the story, in which camp life is mainly an uneventful struggle against boredom; the novel also reveals why people such as Sumiko's family quietly accepted arrest and internment. Kadohata again creates a sympathetic, believable young protagonist and a vividly realized setting.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko's growth from child to young woman. She is a sympathetic heroine, surrounded by well-crafted, fascinating people. The concise yet lyrical prose conveys her story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience.”

LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION: “Sumiko's keen observations of life around her and her own personal growth are shared in a quiet, flowing narrative. Middle schoolers will instantly be hooked by the opening: "This is what it felt like to be lonely." Based on the real story of how Japanese-Americans and Native Americans were changed by their contact, this historical fiction title is excellent for discussions of family, friendships, and prejudice.”

CONNECTIONS

This book could be included in a social studies unit on civil rights or a history unit on World War II.

Other books by Cynthia Kadohata:
Kadohata, Cynthia. KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856393.
Kadohata, Cynthia. OUTSIDE BEAUTY. ISBN 0689865759.
Kadohata, Cynthia. CRACKER! : THE BEST DOG IN VIETNAM. ISBN 1416906371.

Other books about the internment camps:
Kent, Deborah. THE TRAGIC HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT CAMPS. ISBN 076602797X.
Sakurai, Gail. JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT CAMPS. ISBN 0516222767.
Gruenewald, Mary Matsuda. LOOKING LIKE THE ENEMY: MY STORY OF IMPRISONMENT IN JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT CAMPS. ISBN 0939165538.