Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II
A striking juxtaposition opens this history of the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II: Japanese American soldiers liberating prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany while “tens of thousands of their relative and friends back home … were being held against their will.” Author Martin Sandler then provides background information on the Japanese coming to America starting at the turn of the twentieth century—the racism they faced as well as the roots they established, especially in California agricultural communities. The detailed accounting of what happened following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor is enriched by vignettes about and stories from individual Japanese Americans who were held captive by their government. Discussion of the political climate and response documents the few courageous enough to speak out against the imprisonment, like the governor of Colorado at the time, and the many who jumped on the bandwagon of hysteria. Sandler draws on many oral histories and a wide range of other source material, all clearly documented, in this standout history that concludes with a chapter that looks at efforts of Japanese Americans to reach out to Muslims in America following 9/11. ©2014 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 11-14
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
20th Century
21st Century
Civil Rights
Discrimination and Prejudice
History (Nonfiction)
Jail and Prison
Japanese and Japanese Americans
Muslim People
Politics and Political Systems
Racism
Soldiers/Military
U.S. History
World War II
Diversity subject:
Asian
Publisher:
Walker/Bloomsbury
Publish Year: 2013
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9780802722775
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 940 Sandler