By: Kathryn Tanquary
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Audience: Middle Grade - Grades 5-7
*DAZZLING DEBUT!*
The last thing Saki Yamamoto wants to do for her summer vacation is trade in exciting Tokyo for the antiquated rituals and bad cell reception of her grandmother's village. Preparing for the Obon ceremony is boring. Then the local kids take an interest in Saki and she sees an opportunity for some fun, even if it means disrespecting her family's ancestral shrine on a malicious dare. But as Saki rings the sacred bell, the darkness shifts. A death curse has been invoked... and Saki has three nights to undo it. With the help of three spirit guides and some unexpected friends, Saki must prove her worth - or say good-bye to the world of the living forever.
In terms of star ratings, this debut from Kathryn Tanquary is very successful in concept but struggles a bit in execution. There is certainly a lot of good happening here. The thematic elements are solid and presented in a manner that is thoughtful rather than didactic, the suspense will keep readers turning the pages, the characters, particularly the spirit creatures, are well developed and interesting, and the equal focus on Japanese tradition, culture and mythology is not only a refreshing but also utterly fantastic AND fascinating. Where the execution seems to take a bit of a dive is in the writing itself. There just felt like a bit of disconnect and lack of fluidity in the storytelling causing the story to either drag at times or feel choppy and disjointed. Still, this was a fun and unique middle grade read and while Saki can be horribly unlikable at moments, she still felt authentic making her experiences and growth that much more meaningful. Additionally, the story is interesting, new, and exciting meaning that it will draw a wide scope of readership making it an excellent choice for both avid and reluctant readers. All in all, definitely worth adding to middle grade collections.
By: Lois Sepahban
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Audience: Middle Grade - Grades 5-7
*AUTHOR TO LOOK FOR!*
Ten-year-old Manami did not realize how peaceful her family's life on Bainbridge Island was until the day it all changed. It's 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Manami and her family are Japanese American, which means that the government says they must leave their home by the sea and join other Japanese Americans at a prison camp in the desert. Manami is sad to go, but even worse is that they are going to have to give her dog, Yujiin, to a neighbor to take care of. Manami decides to sneak Yujiin under her coat, but she is caught and forced to abandon him. She is devastated but clings to the hope that somehow Yujiin will find his way to the camp and make her family whole again. It isn't until she finds a way to let go of her guilt that Manami can accept all that has happened to her family.
One of my favorite aspects of Paper Wishes is its accessibility. It takes a piece of history that the target audience may have had little exposure to, and paints a picture that is equal parts sad and hopeful without ever feeling overwhelming. Additionally, while this is an incredibly short novel told in a language that is sparse and spare, it never fails in terms of providing the impact necessary to make readers understand the gravity and injustice of the Japanese internment camps during World War II. I think this was aided by the fact that it was told from the perspective of 10-year-old Manami who was confused as to what exactly was happening to her home and family as well as the grief that comes from having to leave a beloved friend behind. Sepahban’s “Authors Note” was also a necessary and informative addition in terms of helping readers understand this time in history.
Another aspect of the story that I loved was the dynamic between Manami and her parents, brother, grandfather, dog, and teacher. I think that Sepahban did an excellent job of illustrating all of these different relationships in connection to what was happening both inside and outside the camp and how those relationships did or did not change once imprisoned. Learning about the structure of the camps themselves was also fascinating and I found the celebration of Japanese tradition to be truly lovely in terms of not only being informative but adding a depth and spirit to the characters and the storytelling.
My only criticism, and admittedly it’s a bit nitpicky, I wish the book had been a tad bit longer and gone a little bit deeper in terms of illustrating the dynamics of camp life. Sepahban definitely touched the surface, but I think she could have given readers a bit more without fear of alienating them. Like I said, a nitpick of a criticism that doesn’t take away from what is, essentially, still a very fascinating and important story.