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Dash (Dogs of World War II)
| Item #: | 080287 |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | 9780545416368 |
| Grades: | 3-7 |
Product Description:
In the wake of Pearl Harbor, Japanese-American Mitsi and her family are pulled away from their home and sent to an internment camp. Mitsi has to leave her beloved dog, Dash, behind. Life in the camp is strange and unkind, pushing Mitsi’s whole family to the breaking point. There’s one bright spot, though: Mistsi’s former neighbor keeps her in touch with Dash. Mitsi uses the strength of her bond with her pup to get through the long months, awaiting the reunion to her best friend and home with a hopeful heart. 256 pgs, pb.
Publisher Description:
New from Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson, the moving story of a Japanese-American girl who is separated from her dog upon being sent to an incarceration camp during WWII.
Although Mitsi Kashino and her family are swept up in the wave of anti-Japanese sentiment following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mitsi never expects to lose her home - or her beloved dog, Dash. But, as World War II rages and people of Japanese descent are forced into internment camps, Mitsi is separated from Dash, her classmates, and life as she knows it.
The camp is a crowded and unfamiliar place, whose dusty floors, seemingly endless lines, and barbed wire fences begin to unravel the strong Kashino family ties. With the help of a friendly neighbor back home, Mitsi remains connected to Dash in spite of the hard times, holding on to the hope that the war will end soon and life will return to normal. Though they've lost their home, will the Kashino family also lose their sense of family? And will Mitsi and Dash ever be reunited?
Young readers will enjoy this historical fiction series, particularly if they are dog lovers. At the heart of each of these books is the special bond between a dog and a young person during the WWII era. The series examines life on the home front from a variety of situations and perspectives, from racism endured by Japanese-Americans to the specialized talents of Navajo Code Talkers. Readers will find many details about attitudes and events of the time, such as the growing of Victory Gardens and the purchasing of war stamp bonds. The dogs in each story help the protagonists cope with the many changes in their lives, such as having a family member sent off to war or being forced into an internment camp. Each book has a section at the end where the author discusses the real-life details of the situations in the story. Engaging books on their own, these would also make a nice supplement for those who are studying the WWII era in the U.S., especially for kids who love animals or are reluctant students of history. Books in the series are separate stories and are in no particular order.
Please see our Reading section for leveled reading series such as I Can Read, Step Into Reading, and many more.
