Cherry Blossom Winter

Cherry Blossom #2

by Jennifer Maruno

Ten-year-old Michiko wants to be proud of her Japanese heritage but can't be. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, her family's possessions are confiscated and they are forced into deprivation in a small, insular community. The men are sent to work on the railway, so the women and children are left to make the trip on their own.

After a former Asahi baseball star becomes her new teacher, life gets better. Baseball fever hits town, and when Michiko challenges the adults to a game with her class, the whole town turns out.

Then the government announces that they must move once again. But they can't think of relocating with a new baby coming, even with the offer of free passage to Japan. Michiko pretends to be her mother and writes to get a job for her father on a farm in Ontario. When he is accepted, they again pack their belongings and head to a new life in Ontario.

Genres: Historical Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading through this book and feel that for its relatively shorter size, it offers a good story. One of the appealing factors for me is its setting and atmosphere: I enjoyed reading about personal experiences through the eyes of a Japanese girl during/post-WWII and the tension that she must have felt in trying to fit in with her family. I think that the mannerisms described, characters of family and friends within her social circle, and the well-placed Japanese terms (especially with the glossary at the end) helped to build a strong setting.

I felt, however, that the story also had some holes. For instance, it would allude to seemingly important obstacles to be faced (the watch), which you read in the following chapter as having been resolved in a dismissive, 'so-that-solves-that' manner. Also, I didn't get a strong sense of the character's feelings: does she have ties to the community in which she currently lives? At the end of the book, does she/will she miss this community? In this way, I didn't feel that the shortness of the book did the girl's experiences justice.

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle paced story reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie only it's about Japanese Canadians and the treatment they endured during the second world war. Little Kimona on the Prairie, perhaps. Evocative detailed descriptions and strong characters remaining hopeful and positive towards Canada. A beautiful telling.

[Anca Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book.

[Yoonmee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed like it had a lot of potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The story and characters were pleasant, but the writing wasn't terribly engaging. I think there are other books about Japanese Internment that better illustrate Japanese American experiences for kids. (Although, I'm not sure if there are too many other ones based in Canada. I'm only familiar with American ones.)

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

- sequel of a 12 yr old Japanese-Canadian girl whose family was sent to New Denver during WW II
- story eerily similar to my mother's experience
- my mother was 11 yrs old when she was sent to Christina Lake (near New Denver)
- her father also played for the Asahi baseball team and her mother also was a seamstress
- rather slow but realistic story of life in a small town during the war
- reading level: gr. 6
- interest level: gr. 5-8 girls and those interested in J-C history

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally a good read. It helped when I realized, about 40 pages in, that this was book 2 of a trilogy. I really do think that you have to have read book 1 because Maruno doesn't spend a lot of time describing relationships or people and lands you square into the story without much preamble. I think part of the issue was that the book (jacket) description was very deceptive. It made the book sound like it covered the initial displacement when, by the time this book starts, they have already moved and her father has joined them from the camps. In addition, I was very much convinced that this book would focus around the forming of a baseball team, when it really only figured in 2 chapters.

There were a lot of errors and inconsistencies throughout that bothered me as well. I would have given this a 2 star, but things got a bit better towards the end.

[angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

read sometime during 2016

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good imagery and a good exploration of a lesser-known piece of history. It'd be better with some more transitional development.

[K.C. Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several typos in this book which surprised me.