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No Surrender Soldier
A young man, an old soldier , and a terrible injustice. Should the punishment be death?
Growing up on Guam in 1972, fifteen-year-old Kiko is beset by worries: He’s never kissed a girl, and he thinks it’s possible he never will. The popular guys get all the attention, but the worst part is that Kiko has serious problems at home. His older brother is missing in Vietnam; his grandfather is losing it to dementia; he just learned that his mother was raped in World War II by a Japanese soldier. It all comes together when he discovers an old man, a Japanese soldier, hiding in the jungle behind his house. It’s not the same man who raped his mother, but, in his rage, Kiko cares only about protecting his family and avenging his mom – no matter what it takes. And so, a shy, peaceable boy begins to plan a murder. But how far will Kiko go to prove to himself that he’s a man ? Based on a historical incident, No Surrender Soldier is the story of a boy grappling with ancient questions of courage and manhood before he can move on.
Growing up on Guam in 1972, fifteen-year-old Kiko is beset by worries: He’s never kissed a girl, and he thinks it’s possible he never will. The popular guys get all the attention, but the worst part is that Kiko has serious problems at home. His older brother is missing in Vietnam; his grandfather is losing it to dementia; he just learned that his mother was raped in World War II by a Japanese soldier. It all comes together when he discovers an old man, a Japanese soldier, hiding in the jungle behind his house. It’s not the same man who raped his mother, but, in his rage, Kiko cares only about protecting his family and avenging his mom – no matter what it takes. And so, a shy, peaceable boy begins to plan a murder. But how far will Kiko go to prove to himself that he’s a man ? Based on a historical incident, No Surrender Soldier is the story of a boy grappling with ancient questions of courage and manhood before he can move on.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published December 2, 2013
4 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Christine Kohler
28 books20 followershttps://www.christinekohlerbooks.com/
author of SILENT NO MORE: BIBLE WOMEN SPEAK UP, a Poetic Meditation (Wipf and Stock) and NO SURRENDER SOLDIER (Simon & Schuster). Kohler is a former journalist and teacher. She lived on Asian-Pacific Islands, such as Japan and Guam, for nearly a decade. Kohler was a political reporter and foreign correspondent for Gannett, and an editor for a Hearst daily.
author of SILENT NO MORE: BIBLE WOMEN SPEAK UP, a Poetic Meditation (Wipf and Stock) and NO SURRENDER SOLDIER (Simon & Schuster). Kohler is a former journalist and teacher. She lived on Asian-Pacific Islands, such as Japan and Guam, for nearly a decade. Kohler was a political reporter and foreign correspondent for Gannett, and an editor for a Hearst daily.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 5, 2014
I loved this book. LOVED IT. It's so powerful and at the same time so beautiful. No Surrender Soldier is an exquisite example of historical fiction. From the first page we know we've entered a world the author knows intimately. The dialog is enriched with just enough local dialect to make it more realistic without distancing the reader. The story flows naturally from the culture. And the setting--especially the jungle--is like another living, breathing character possessing the same pent-up ability to either destroy or sustain life.
Told in alternating chapters by two seemingly disparate characters No Surrender Soldier is fast-paced and with enough suspense and dramatic action to keep even the most reluctant readers interested. At the same time, it touches on matters that are incredibly important--war, yes, but more importantly forgiveness, compassion, brotherhood--topics that we should all think and talk about more than we do, and would provide fodder for lively discussions in high school classrooms.
Fifteen year-old Kiko may live in another time and place than most of the book's readers, but his concerns and problems are universally "teen", from frustrations with his family and his longing for his first romantic relationship, to his questions about the role religious faith will play in his future. Seto, the old war-ravaged soldier-in-hiding is so damaged, and his experiences are so unique, that few would think readers would be able to relate to him, but Kohler's portrayal of him is so sensitively and skillfully done that we ultimately see past his "sins" to his humanity and find him a sympathetic character worth saving.
The boy and the man come from and live in very different worlds, even if only separated by the distance of a baseball's flight. Kiko lives with loving family in the sunshine. Seto lives like a mole, deep in the ground, with fear and regret as constant companions. Told in alternating chapters in the first person voice of Kiko and from the third person point of view of Seto, we see Kiko evolve from a slightly selfish, immature boy to a thoughtful, compassionate young man at the same time that Kiko's spirit finally crumbles along with his body. The two make life-long impressions on each other, just as No Surrender Soldier has the potential to make a life-long impression on its readers. I can't recommend it highly enough.
*Note: I purchased this book and am under no obligation to review it.
Told in alternating chapters by two seemingly disparate characters No Surrender Soldier is fast-paced and with enough suspense and dramatic action to keep even the most reluctant readers interested. At the same time, it touches on matters that are incredibly important--war, yes, but more importantly forgiveness, compassion, brotherhood--topics that we should all think and talk about more than we do, and would provide fodder for lively discussions in high school classrooms.
Fifteen year-old Kiko may live in another time and place than most of the book's readers, but his concerns and problems are universally "teen", from frustrations with his family and his longing for his first romantic relationship, to his questions about the role religious faith will play in his future. Seto, the old war-ravaged soldier-in-hiding is so damaged, and his experiences are so unique, that few would think readers would be able to relate to him, but Kohler's portrayal of him is so sensitively and skillfully done that we ultimately see past his "sins" to his humanity and find him a sympathetic character worth saving.
The boy and the man come from and live in very different worlds, even if only separated by the distance of a baseball's flight. Kiko lives with loving family in the sunshine. Seto lives like a mole, deep in the ground, with fear and regret as constant companions. Told in alternating chapters in the first person voice of Kiko and from the third person point of view of Seto, we see Kiko evolve from a slightly selfish, immature boy to a thoughtful, compassionate young man at the same time that Kiko's spirit finally crumbles along with his body. The two make life-long impressions on each other, just as No Surrender Soldier has the potential to make a life-long impression on its readers. I can't recommend it highly enough.
*Note: I purchased this book and am under no obligation to review it.
January 14, 2014
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER is a historical fiction set in 1972 and echoes the real life story about a Japanese soldier on Guam that went into hiding instead of being captured by American soldiers at the end of World War II. Especially with the choice to use Chamorro words (language/culture native to Guam), the story feels authentic. It also addresses the racial tension post-war between the natives on the island, the Japanese who used to own it, and the American who control Guam now.
Despite it being 208 pages, I finished NO SURRENDER SOLDIER in the time it takes me to read a novella. In fact, my main complaint about this book is the length. When the last page was finished, I wasn’t yet ready to let go of the characters. I have so many questions about Kiko and his family’s future. I wanted another 200 pages. The only thing that will slow your devouring of NO SURRENDER SOLDIER is the non-English words scattered in its pages. Fortunately, these words are easily deciphered through the context of the sentences.
It’s refreshing to have only male POVs in a YA book. There is a scene that involves the slaughter of an animal for food, but it’s done with enough humor that most readers won’t get squeamish. I especially enjoyed the evolving relationship between Kiko and his tatan (grandfather). The romance in the book is secondary to the problems Kiko faces and minor enough that hardcore romance fans might feel disappointed.
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER weaves together the stories of Kiko transitioning into a man with Seto’s desperate struggle to survive without shaming his family. Anyone interested in a well-written historical fiction that focuses more on the people than the romance should read this book.
This review first appeared at http://www.parajunkee.com/2014/01/14/...
Despite it being 208 pages, I finished NO SURRENDER SOLDIER in the time it takes me to read a novella. In fact, my main complaint about this book is the length. When the last page was finished, I wasn’t yet ready to let go of the characters. I have so many questions about Kiko and his family’s future. I wanted another 200 pages. The only thing that will slow your devouring of NO SURRENDER SOLDIER is the non-English words scattered in its pages. Fortunately, these words are easily deciphered through the context of the sentences.
It’s refreshing to have only male POVs in a YA book. There is a scene that involves the slaughter of an animal for food, but it’s done with enough humor that most readers won’t get squeamish. I especially enjoyed the evolving relationship between Kiko and his tatan (grandfather). The romance in the book is secondary to the problems Kiko faces and minor enough that hardcore romance fans might feel disappointed.
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER weaves together the stories of Kiko transitioning into a man with Seto’s desperate struggle to survive without shaming his family. Anyone interested in a well-written historical fiction that focuses more on the people than the romance should read this book.
This review first appeared at http://www.parajunkee.com/2014/01/14/...
September 4, 2015
This is a remarkable book by a debut author. Christine Kohler sets her characters in an immersive contemporary landscape which is rich with description. But she is also careful to help ground the reader in the historical context right away. That a young boy finds a soldier hiding in his backyard, a soldier who had decided not to surrender after World War II.
I liked the approach. It's an intelligent book that doesn't talk down to a reader. And for those who are reluctant readers, the chapters are short with enough tension to pull them towards the next.
The book is told in alternating voices - but Kohler takes an unusual path. She tells 15-year-old Kiko's story in first person. He is engaging, the family is close knit, which makes the big reveal all the more emotional. Kohler tells Seto's story in third person. And through it we get a sense of Seto's quiet despair as he lives in a prison of his own making, cut off from the world. We also get glimpses of his own childhood which reinforces our sense of what he has lost and how he has come to be in this position.
Although not a diary, the beginning of each chapter is dated to help keep track of the passage of time. While Seto and Kiko are both fictional constructs, the characteer of Seto is loosely based on a real life soldier, Shoichi Yokoi who was discovered in 1972 after living 28 years in the jungle and underground.
Kohler, a former foreign correspondent, provides s short glossary of Chamorro Terms of Address" to help the reader decode some of the language: for instant tihu for uncle and tantan bihu for grandfather. But her authors notes and bibliography show that although a work of fiction, the book is grounded in real circumstances.
A well-written and engaging addition to the genre of historical fiction.
I liked the approach. It's an intelligent book that doesn't talk down to a reader. And for those who are reluctant readers, the chapters are short with enough tension to pull them towards the next.
The book is told in alternating voices - but Kohler takes an unusual path. She tells 15-year-old Kiko's story in first person. He is engaging, the family is close knit, which makes the big reveal all the more emotional. Kohler tells Seto's story in third person. And through it we get a sense of Seto's quiet despair as he lives in a prison of his own making, cut off from the world. We also get glimpses of his own childhood which reinforces our sense of what he has lost and how he has come to be in this position.
Although not a diary, the beginning of each chapter is dated to help keep track of the passage of time. While Seto and Kiko are both fictional constructs, the characteer of Seto is loosely based on a real life soldier, Shoichi Yokoi who was discovered in 1972 after living 28 years in the jungle and underground.
Kohler, a former foreign correspondent, provides s short glossary of Chamorro Terms of Address" to help the reader decode some of the language: for instant tihu for uncle and tantan bihu for grandfather. But her authors notes and bibliography show that although a work of fiction, the book is grounded in real circumstances.
A well-written and engaging addition to the genre of historical fiction.
January 21, 2014
It's 1972, and Kiko is a Chamorro boy on Guam living with his mother, father, and a grandfather suffering from dementia. His older brother is fighting in Vietnam. Between the Vietnam war and his Tatan's flashbacks, the whole family is remembering what happened during the Japanese occupation, secrets to Kiko (who wasn't born at the time).
The narration flips between Kiko and Seto, a Japanese soldier who hid in the jungle rather than surrender. Seto has no idea how the war ended since he hasn't interacted with civilization in years. But his resources are running out and he's getting sloppier, soon to be found or starved. Much of the tension in NO SURRENDER SOLDIER comes from the wait of the two narrators meeting.
I enjoyed how thoroughly Christine Kohler explores the setting of her debut young adult novel. The island's history, culture, and climate informs the characters and their actions. I don't know much about Guam and I didn't know about Japanese stragglers, but this book was a wonderful introduction to them. I did know about atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers. And I do know about dementia, and appreciated Kiko's frustration. He doesn't understand why he's stuck babysitting his Tatan while his parents work, why they don't just send him to one of his mom's siblings in America who would put him in a nursing home. His parents have their reasons, but Kiko isn't totally wrong either.
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER isn't a particularly fast-paced book. It's very character driven. It is, however, a fascinating and original bit of historical fiction. It's well worth picking up, particularly for people looking for Vietnam-era fiction with a different point of view.
January 23, 2014
Kiko is just like any other teenager. He wants to hang out with his best friend, and maybe get a kiss from his crush. Unfortunately Kiko has to keep an eye on his grandfather. His grandfather has dementia. Also Kiko learns that his mother was sexually abused. Lastly, Kiko finds a soldier hiding in his back yard.
I did really enjoy this book. It had a great human aspect to it. One that will make you feel for Kiko and his family. It may be about the military but it is more about the civilians that have to endure life as their loved ones are away fighting a war. In the beginning though I was confused by what was happening. I was trying to make all the connections and had a little bit of a hard time doing so. It took me getting about a third of the way in before I figured everything out and than was like "ok, this is a pretty good book." My favorite parts were involving Kiko, his grandfather, and the soldier. I felt the most connection with all of them.
I did really enjoy this book. It had a great human aspect to it. One that will make you feel for Kiko and his family. It may be about the military but it is more about the civilians that have to endure life as their loved ones are away fighting a war. In the beginning though I was confused by what was happening. I was trying to make all the connections and had a little bit of a hard time doing so. It took me getting about a third of the way in before I figured everything out and than was like "ok, this is a pretty good book." My favorite parts were involving Kiko, his grandfather, and the soldier. I felt the most connection with all of them.
August 6, 2016
Wow, what a setting! And wow, what a story! I thoroughly enjoyed my first and only visit to lush, tropical Guam and being transported back in time to 1972 (M*A*S*H, The Partridge Family!). But mostly I was awed by the stories, particularly that of the No Surrender Soldier - based on a true yet unbelievable story of survival. Thank you, Christine Kohler, for expanding my world view.
May 28, 2014
Christine Kohler's debut novel is a historical masterpiece in a contemporary setting. A unique take on the Vietnam War and a welcome addition to the growing list of POC main characters!
February 17, 2014
No long ago it was announced that the Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda, who had hold out 29 years in the Philippine jungle, refusing to believe that WWII had ended and that Japan had lost the war, passed away at 91 years old. But Onoda wasn't the only holdout. Soichi Yokoi was stationed on Guam when the war ended, but he also refused to believe that Japan had lost the war and hid out in an dug out underground cave for 28 years. He had refused to surrender, believing he has dishonored the Emperor. He was discovered in 1972 while fishing in the Talofofo River by two hunters.
It is 1972 and Kiko Chargalauf, a 15 year old Charmorro boy who must suddenly deal with a lot of things in his life. His older brother Sammy, who he has always looked up to, is off flying dangerous missions in Vietnam for the US Air Force; his parents have recently bought a tourist souvenir shop and must work long and hard to try and make a success of it; and his grandfather is slowly succumbing to Lytico-Bodig, a disease occurring only in Guam, it is similar to Alzheimer's disease. And on top of all these troubles, Kiko has a crush on a girl named Daphne, but is too scared to ask her out.
At the same time, not far from Kiko's home, a WWII Japanese soldier has been hiding out for 28 years, his body bent from living is a cramped underground cave. Though he hates the idea of giving up, Isamu Seto wants to escape his cave, where he is haunted by the ghosts of his two fallen comrades and tries to comfort himself with childhood memories, though the voice of his father telling him he is weak and can't do anything right constantly intrudes on his thoughts.
When Kiko sees his grandfather attacking a Japanese man, he inadvertently learns that his mother had been raped by a Japanese soldier during WW2. As Kiko's anger intensifies, Seto begins to make mistakes, leaving indications that he is hiding out in the jungle. But though the Charmorro's are accustomed to finding "stragglers" there, Kiko becomes more suspicious and more interested than usual - providing a perfect opportunity for avenging his mother's rape.
In No Surrender Soldier, Christine Kohler has drawn from Yokoi's story to create an historical fiction novel in which she manages to seamlessly blend fact and fiction, exploring the wide-ranging thoughts, feelings and emotions of both Kiko and Seto. The chapter alternate between Kiko and Seto, with Kiko's told in the first person using internal and external dialogue to move his story along. Seto's story is told in the third person, mostly using internal thoughts and memories. But the form highlights their parallel doubts, fears and feeling of unworthiness. I thought it was an interesting choice, but one that makes it definitely Kiko's story. After all, it is an coming of age novel, though in an odd way, Seto also comes of age.
I found Kiko to be an engaging narrator and I think you will find him to be a very likable teen struggling with issues not so different from today's teens. I found myself feeling pity and sadness for Seto for wasting 28 years of his life living in an underground tunnel so small, he couldn't even stand up. I began to feel claustrophobic while reading Seto's chapters. It wasn't to the point that I ever wanted to put the book down but I could palpably feel the cramped, narrowness of his entire life.
This is a debut YA novel for Kohler and she has clearly done some intensive research, not just about stragglers, but about life on Guam in 1972. She portrays the culture and customs of the Charmorro people with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. There is one rather graphic scene where Kiko and his grandfather slaughter a pig for a saint's day celebration, but raise pigs for food is/was part of the life of Charmorro people.
No Surrender Soldier is an unusual, compelling, well written novel that should resonate with today's young readers despite the historical setting.
This book is recommended for readers age 12+
This book was provided by the author
This review originally was posted on The Children's War
It is 1972 and Kiko Chargalauf, a 15 year old Charmorro boy who must suddenly deal with a lot of things in his life. His older brother Sammy, who he has always looked up to, is off flying dangerous missions in Vietnam for the US Air Force; his parents have recently bought a tourist souvenir shop and must work long and hard to try and make a success of it; and his grandfather is slowly succumbing to Lytico-Bodig, a disease occurring only in Guam, it is similar to Alzheimer's disease. And on top of all these troubles, Kiko has a crush on a girl named Daphne, but is too scared to ask her out.
At the same time, not far from Kiko's home, a WWII Japanese soldier has been hiding out for 28 years, his body bent from living is a cramped underground cave. Though he hates the idea of giving up, Isamu Seto wants to escape his cave, where he is haunted by the ghosts of his two fallen comrades and tries to comfort himself with childhood memories, though the voice of his father telling him he is weak and can't do anything right constantly intrudes on his thoughts.
When Kiko sees his grandfather attacking a Japanese man, he inadvertently learns that his mother had been raped by a Japanese soldier during WW2. As Kiko's anger intensifies, Seto begins to make mistakes, leaving indications that he is hiding out in the jungle. But though the Charmorro's are accustomed to finding "stragglers" there, Kiko becomes more suspicious and more interested than usual - providing a perfect opportunity for avenging his mother's rape.
In No Surrender Soldier, Christine Kohler has drawn from Yokoi's story to create an historical fiction novel in which she manages to seamlessly blend fact and fiction, exploring the wide-ranging thoughts, feelings and emotions of both Kiko and Seto. The chapter alternate between Kiko and Seto, with Kiko's told in the first person using internal and external dialogue to move his story along. Seto's story is told in the third person, mostly using internal thoughts and memories. But the form highlights their parallel doubts, fears and feeling of unworthiness. I thought it was an interesting choice, but one that makes it definitely Kiko's story. After all, it is an coming of age novel, though in an odd way, Seto also comes of age.
I found Kiko to be an engaging narrator and I think you will find him to be a very likable teen struggling with issues not so different from today's teens. I found myself feeling pity and sadness for Seto for wasting 28 years of his life living in an underground tunnel so small, he couldn't even stand up. I began to feel claustrophobic while reading Seto's chapters. It wasn't to the point that I ever wanted to put the book down but I could palpably feel the cramped, narrowness of his entire life.
This is a debut YA novel for Kohler and she has clearly done some intensive research, not just about stragglers, but about life on Guam in 1972. She portrays the culture and customs of the Charmorro people with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. There is one rather graphic scene where Kiko and his grandfather slaughter a pig for a saint's day celebration, but raise pigs for food is/was part of the life of Charmorro people.
No Surrender Soldier is an unusual, compelling, well written novel that should resonate with today's young readers despite the historical setting.
This book is recommended for readers age 12+
This book was provided by the author
This review originally was posted on The Children's War
February 28, 2014
I was given an copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It was a really enjoyable to read, and I think anyone who is interested in a well-written historical novel would really enjoy this book.
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER is a historical fiction set in 1972 and is about a Japanese soldier named Seto who hid on Guam instead of being captured by American soldiers at the end of World War II. And a 15 year old named Kiko who is dealing with his life being turned inside out.
A truly enjoyable story that, as I close its cover, left me feeling like I’ve learned more about the world.
The way the two stories flowed side by side then merging, carrying me with them.
I really hurt for Seto as he laid in his tomb suffering guilt, heart rending fear, flashbacks of the war and haunted by the ghosts of the dead. When I found out that his ordeal was based on a real man named Shoichi Yokoi my heart truly broke for the man.
As for Kiko I have to say that there is nothing like the heartbreak and rage of a youth that finds out things that have been hidden from them. And the rage of finding out that someone has hurt someone they love. And the heartbreak of watching a love one slip away due to Dementia and watching them become violent from time to time because of past hurt. Its almost enough to drive a kid mad which at times it did. I liked that there was a girl that he has a, at times, awkward crush on. That never turns into something tragic or sexual but stays sweet and awkward. :)
I liked how the author used Chamorro words (language/culture native to Guam) though out the story. Mostly it was used when talking about family (like mother is nana) but it is really easy to work out what the words mean. The book also addresses the racial tension post-war between different groups on the island.
One thing I do have to say is that I wish the book was a little longer. It ended nicely but what happens to his Grandpa? What about his brother? And Seto, what happened to him? If there is ever another book later on picking up where this one left off I’ll be one of the first to get it.
Now if you would excuse me, all of the talk of food and parties in this book has made me hungry. xD
It was a really enjoyable to read, and I think anyone who is interested in a well-written historical novel would really enjoy this book.
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER is a historical fiction set in 1972 and is about a Japanese soldier named Seto who hid on Guam instead of being captured by American soldiers at the end of World War II. And a 15 year old named Kiko who is dealing with his life being turned inside out.
A truly enjoyable story that, as I close its cover, left me feeling like I’ve learned more about the world.
The way the two stories flowed side by side then merging, carrying me with them.
I really hurt for Seto as he laid in his tomb suffering guilt, heart rending fear, flashbacks of the war and haunted by the ghosts of the dead. When I found out that his ordeal was based on a real man named Shoichi Yokoi my heart truly broke for the man.
As for Kiko I have to say that there is nothing like the heartbreak and rage of a youth that finds out things that have been hidden from them. And the rage of finding out that someone has hurt someone they love. And the heartbreak of watching a love one slip away due to Dementia and watching them become violent from time to time because of past hurt. Its almost enough to drive a kid mad which at times it did. I liked that there was a girl that he has a, at times, awkward crush on. That never turns into something tragic or sexual but stays sweet and awkward. :)
I liked how the author used Chamorro words (language/culture native to Guam) though out the story. Mostly it was used when talking about family (like mother is nana) but it is really easy to work out what the words mean. The book also addresses the racial tension post-war between different groups on the island.
One thing I do have to say is that I wish the book was a little longer. It ended nicely but what happens to his Grandpa? What about his brother? And Seto, what happened to him? If there is ever another book later on picking up where this one left off I’ll be one of the first to get it.
Now if you would excuse me, all of the talk of food and parties in this book has made me hungry. xD
February 25, 2014
About The Book:
A young man, an old soldier , and a terrible injustice. Should the punishment be death? Growing up on Guam in 1972, fifteen-year-old Kiko is beset by worries: He’s never kissed a girl, and he thinks it’s possible he never will. The popular guys get all the attention, but the worst part is that Kiko has serious problems at home. His older brother is missing in Vietnam; his grandfather is losing it to dementia; he just learned that his mother was raped in World War II by a Japanese soldier. It all comes together when he discovers an old man, a Japanese soldier, hiding in the jungle behind his house. It’s not the same man who raped his mother, but, in his rage, Kiko cares only about protecting his family and avenging his mom – no matter what it takes. And so, a shy, peaceable boy begins to plan a murder. But how far will Kiko go to prove to himself that he’s a man ? Based on a historical incident, No Surrender Soldier is the story of a boy grappling with ancient questions of courage and manhood before he can move on.
What I Thought:
Kiko only wants to play baseball and have fun, but ever since his brother left for Vietnam, he's been helping run the family store. Not only does he help with the store but he also helps with babysitting his grandfather, especially when his grandfather flips and try's to hurt people. But when Kiko's grandfather flipped this time, Kiko finds out something that had never been said before. Something that cut him to the core, something that his mother never wanted him to know. He knows he has to do something about the man that caused his mother this heartache, but how?
Seto feels he has brought dishonor to his emperor and his family, and hasn't came home since the war ended. Even if he was to go home, he would probably get shunned by everyone he knew. So now he lives alone, trying to live the remainder of his life as peacefully as he can but that isn't easy when his past continuously haunts him. Will he ever be able to find himself and start over again?
About The Author:
Christine Kohler, author of NO SURRENDER SOLDIER, Jan. 18, 2014, Merit Press. Kohler is a former journalist and teacher.
A young man, an old soldier , and a terrible injustice. Should the punishment be death? Growing up on Guam in 1972, fifteen-year-old Kiko is beset by worries: He’s never kissed a girl, and he thinks it’s possible he never will. The popular guys get all the attention, but the worst part is that Kiko has serious problems at home. His older brother is missing in Vietnam; his grandfather is losing it to dementia; he just learned that his mother was raped in World War II by a Japanese soldier. It all comes together when he discovers an old man, a Japanese soldier, hiding in the jungle behind his house. It’s not the same man who raped his mother, but, in his rage, Kiko cares only about protecting his family and avenging his mom – no matter what it takes. And so, a shy, peaceable boy begins to plan a murder. But how far will Kiko go to prove to himself that he’s a man ? Based on a historical incident, No Surrender Soldier is the story of a boy grappling with ancient questions of courage and manhood before he can move on.
What I Thought:
Kiko only wants to play baseball and have fun, but ever since his brother left for Vietnam, he's been helping run the family store. Not only does he help with the store but he also helps with babysitting his grandfather, especially when his grandfather flips and try's to hurt people. But when Kiko's grandfather flipped this time, Kiko finds out something that had never been said before. Something that cut him to the core, something that his mother never wanted him to know. He knows he has to do something about the man that caused his mother this heartache, but how?
Seto feels he has brought dishonor to his emperor and his family, and hasn't came home since the war ended. Even if he was to go home, he would probably get shunned by everyone he knew. So now he lives alone, trying to live the remainder of his life as peacefully as he can but that isn't easy when his past continuously haunts him. Will he ever be able to find himself and start over again?
About The Author:
Christine Kohler, author of NO SURRENDER SOLDIER, Jan. 18, 2014, Merit Press. Kohler is a former journalist and teacher.
February 12, 2014
Originally posted on www.yareads.com, reviewed by Nichole.
No Surrender Soldier is a powerful read, but I have to admit that I was pretty bored throughout the whole thing. It reads as a historical nonfiction book. I don’t know if that was the ultimate plan, but blah. I felt like I was reading an assigned book for class. I could tell that the writing itself was strong, but I just need more adventure and connection to the characters than this book offered.
I really enjoyed that the main character was not your typical white character. It offered diversity and insight to a whole other culture. No Surrender Soldier is a book that I will be quick to recommend to all student age children to immerse themselves in other cultures/religions/mind frames. However, it is not a book that I would recommend to a huge YA lover. It’s more of an educational read.
The characters in No Surrender Soldier were also spot on. Everyone had their own individual voices and personalities. In books like this one, I often worry that the characters will just sort of blend in to each other. That wasn’t the case at all. As I said before, the writing was very strong. It just…..fell a little flat for me.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this one, but I think this is a genre that I will be staying far away from. No Surrender Soldier is a book that I would recommend teachers and parents supply to their students/children, but it’s not a book I would offer up to the YA community.
No Surrender Soldier is a powerful read, but I have to admit that I was pretty bored throughout the whole thing. It reads as a historical nonfiction book. I don’t know if that was the ultimate plan, but blah. I felt like I was reading an assigned book for class. I could tell that the writing itself was strong, but I just need more adventure and connection to the characters than this book offered.
I really enjoyed that the main character was not your typical white character. It offered diversity and insight to a whole other culture. No Surrender Soldier is a book that I will be quick to recommend to all student age children to immerse themselves in other cultures/religions/mind frames. However, it is not a book that I would recommend to a huge YA lover. It’s more of an educational read.
The characters in No Surrender Soldier were also spot on. Everyone had their own individual voices and personalities. In books like this one, I often worry that the characters will just sort of blend in to each other. That wasn’t the case at all. As I said before, the writing was very strong. It just…..fell a little flat for me.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this one, but I think this is a genre that I will be staying far away from. No Surrender Soldier is a book that I would recommend teachers and parents supply to their students/children, but it’s not a book I would offer up to the YA community.
May 11, 2014
No Surrender Soldier by Christine Kohler tells the true story of Seto Yokoi , a Japanese soldier who was stationed on Guam during World War II. When Americans liberated Guam in 1944, Seto never surrendered, instead spending the next 28 years hiding in the jungle. To help tell this fascinating story, the author takes us to 1970s Guam and introduces us to Kiko, a fictional teenager, who finds Seto living in what is practically his backyard. I love the way No Surrender Solider gives us details about Kiko’s way of life. He learns to slaughter a pig, for example, and discovers a landmine leftover from WW II buried in his yard. But just like a modern teenager, he still has to summon courage to talk to his crush, and he still gets frustrated with the adults in his life .Also, by immersing us in the Japanese solider’s head, we realize that we’re all basically the same—that no matter our backgrounds or cultures, we share the same hopes and fears. Throughout the story, Kiko and Seto Yokoi deal with their prejudices and anger in different ways, but ultimately No Surrender Soldier is a story of growth and forgiveness.
January 22, 2014
Very nicely done. Two points of view: a WW2 Japanese soldier hiding in the jungle on the island of Guam, and Kiko, a young native boy whose brother has enlisted to go to Vietnam. Yes, that's right: the juxtaposition of WW2 and Vietnam. The Japanese soldier has been hiding in the jungle for almost thirty years. Japanese soldiers do not surrender wihtout shaming their families, because the emperor of Japan is divine and would never surrender. Seto can either pull the pin on a grenade and put it under his helmet, or continue to barely survive living in his tunnel, hiding by day and hunting snails and shrimp by night.
Kiko is struggling to deal with his mother's heartbreak over her older son's absence and likely death, his grandfather's increasing dementia, and his own growing confusion about life.
Each chapter takes a turn giving the two main characters' perspective on events, memories, and relationships in their lives; two vastly different people, both floundering in the present.
Kiko is struggling to deal with his mother's heartbreak over her older son's absence and likely death, his grandfather's increasing dementia, and his own growing confusion about life.
Each chapter takes a turn giving the two main characters' perspective on events, memories, and relationships in their lives; two vastly different people, both floundering in the present.
December 8, 2013
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this fantastic debut. Kohler plunges the reader into the world of Guam, her descriptions of the beaches, "boonies," and food truly bringing the setting to life. But even better are the characters. Kiko, who narrates the book, feels absolutely authentic as a teenage boy trying to find his place in high school, his family, his religion, and his culture. I loved spending time with him, his friends, and his beloved Tatan (grandfather), who is slowly succumbing to dementia. And the chapters devoted to Seto, the Japanese "straggler" hiding out behind Kiko's house, feel both urgent and poetic.
Despite this book tackling many real-life issues and historical happenings, it never felt didactic; above all, the story and characters keep the pages turning. I think that teenagers looking for something a little bit different will really embrace this book!
Despite this book tackling many real-life issues and historical happenings, it never felt didactic; above all, the story and characters keep the pages turning. I think that teenagers looking for something a little bit different will really embrace this book!
December 29, 2013
This remarkable little volume packs a whole treasure trove of factual information for a work of fiction. It accurately portrays the plight of the soldier, long forgotten in the hills of Guam. There is also an exquisite view into life on Guam in the early 70's. I arrived there some months after Seto had been repatriated, but remember the stories about him still circulating at the time. I especially liked the glimpses into family life of the Chamarro people. I got to know some during my time on the island but not quite this closely. I enjoyed it a great deal. This book is well written and captures a unique story in an exciting way.
March 2, 2014
I was extraordinarily impressed with this book. The foreign setting was vivid and gorgeously rendered; the characters were three-dimensional and went through believable emotional journeys; the plot was exciting and engaging; the writing was beautiful and thoughtful. NO SURRENDER SOLDIER was very fresh, original, and intelligent. And quite different from anything I've ever read before. I kept thinking about it whenever I stepped away from the page and was always glad to dive back in.
An ambitious debut that delivers!
An ambitious debut that delivers!
April 30, 2014
This was a very good book, it gives the Guaminian perspective from a young boy and the perspective of the Japanese soldier who has been hiding out for 28 years. It also helps you understand some of the emotions of families and the community in the aftermath of the war and how they dealt and viewed some of these situations, as well as it helps you understand the mindset and culture of the Japanese thinking during that time period, and why the Japanese soldier did what he did. The Japanese soldier story is based on a true story. It was a great read.
June 28, 2016
NO SURRENDER SOLDIER by author Christine Kohler is a 2014 release.
This story takes us on a journey with a young boy who finds a Japanese soldier hiding near his home in Guam. This boy had issues with the Japanese invasion. He has a grandfather on the verge of dementia and his mother was raped during the invasion. And now his elder brother was away in the army, fighting enemies and putting his life at risk daily.
How could this young boy deal with a hidden soldier now? He had plans to kill him!
Read this story NO SURRENDER SOLDIER to see where it all ultimately ends.
This story takes us on a journey with a young boy who finds a Japanese soldier hiding near his home in Guam. This boy had issues with the Japanese invasion. He has a grandfather on the verge of dementia and his mother was raped during the invasion. And now his elder brother was away in the army, fighting enemies and putting his life at risk daily.
How could this young boy deal with a hidden soldier now? He had plans to kill him!
Read this story NO SURRENDER SOLDIER to see where it all ultimately ends.
December 17, 2013
No Surrender Soldier is a beautifully written tale about a boy discovering difficult secrets about his family's past and a Japanese soldier from WWII who has been living for more than 25 years in hiding, practically in the boy's backyard. The story shifts between Kiko, the teenage boy, and the soldier, weaving the two narratives into a singular story that had me riveted.
September 28, 2013
A story of forgiveness, compassion, and coming of age in the aftermath of war. I especially like the connection Kiko makes at the end regarding the Japanese soldier and his older brother, but I won't say anything more and risk spoiling you. :)
March 18, 2014
I could really feel for Kiko, having all the nuances of being a teenager, yet having to deal with adult situations. His treatment of the Japanese soldier was very sympathetic and grown up. Though sorry for the soldier, you also felt for the grandfather, both lost in the past.
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December 8, 2013What a unique story of forgiveness. I was lost in the culture of Kiko's home, and marveled at his emotional growth.
March 31, 2014
Love a book that informs without taking a break from good writing to let you know it is doing just that.
May 14, 2014
Wonderful, unique story. Loved the exotic setting and diverse culture.
July 18, 2017
I was passingly familiar with the real life story of the WWII Japanese soldier who hid in the jungles of Guam for decades after the war ended. Christine Kohler obviously knew the story, too. In this book, she's done a masterful job of using the real life story as a launch pad for "No Surrender Soldier." The story is so authentic - the detail about 1970's Marianas Islands, the speech patterns of the locals, the emphasis on family and community. More importantly, Kohler has captured the complicated emotions of a teenager experiencing loss and the somewhat painful process of growing up. Boys will love this book, as will readers who enjoy learning about lesser known historical events. Great read!
May 25, 2020
"never again would the words in my history book be just dry, lifeless facts, but rather real things that happened to real people. People I knew."
It's 1972 and Kiko is a boy living on the island of Guam. Seto, a Japanese soldier is also living on the island, in hiding since the end of the WWII. Story is told in alternating chapters between Kiko and Seto. All Kiko wants is baseball, surfing, and to ask out the girl of his dreams. But, Kiko's life is taken up with looking after his grandfather ("Tatan") suffering from dementia and worrying about his brother Sammy who is a U.S. soldier fighting in Vietnam. Tatan's dementia worsens and he starts to relive the horror of his days living under Japanese rule in WWII.
Author did a superb job in describing the Kiko's feelings as he is going through the maelstrom of feelings brought on by both puberty and the growing up he must do as long buried secrets about his family from WWII are brought to light. She also gives us a rare glimpse in to Chamorro culture, the native people of Guam, which is not a subject I've seen written about in a YA book before.
It's 1972 and Kiko is a boy living on the island of Guam. Seto, a Japanese soldier is also living on the island, in hiding since the end of the WWII. Story is told in alternating chapters between Kiko and Seto. All Kiko wants is baseball, surfing, and to ask out the girl of his dreams. But, Kiko's life is taken up with looking after his grandfather ("Tatan") suffering from dementia and worrying about his brother Sammy who is a U.S. soldier fighting in Vietnam. Tatan's dementia worsens and he starts to relive the horror of his days living under Japanese rule in WWII.
Author did a superb job in describing the Kiko's feelings as he is going through the maelstrom of feelings brought on by both puberty and the growing up he must do as long buried secrets about his family from WWII are brought to light. She also gives us a rare glimpse in to Chamorro culture, the native people of Guam, which is not a subject I've seen written about in a YA book before.
April 18, 2015
Hey everyone, just finished reading No Surrender Soldier, which was sent to me by the very generous author, and Goodreads.com. It has taken me a while to read it because of school and other things, but I have finally gotten the chance to read it, and it is about time to tell you about it. (you all have waited long enough for a new review)
Meet Kiko, who's brother Sammy is off fighting in the war of Vietnam, in the year 1972 (i think). His Tatan (grandfather) is suffering from delusions from the second world war, and at one point attacks someone in their tourist shop, accusing him of 'raping' Kiko's mother. During the course of the story you see the point of view of Seto, a soldier from World War 2 who has been hiding out in a cave since the war, and is convinced that the war is still going on, and that he is in danger.
As time goes on Kiko tries to come to terms with his Tatan's crazy behaviour, deal with his brother being away in war and not knowing how he is doing, enjoy what is left of his vacation from school, and deal with his over protective parents.
Kiko, after a while, begins to believe that Sammy was not his real brother, but his half brother who was conceived during world war 2 when his mother was raped by the soldiers, and that is why his father and grandfather are protective of her.
But the time Seto has spent in the caves has turned him into a sort of monster, and Kiko is coming closer and closer to falling into his cave. Kiko will need to determine the importance of life, and what it means to him and those around him, if he hopes to survive this fight without surrendering.
All in all it was a pretty good book, and a pretty quick read. The author clearly knew what they were writing about, and did their proper research before diving into this book. And though it is a fictional story, there are parts of it taken from true stories, such as Seto's cave dwelling during the war.
Give it a read if you get the chance, and check out Goodreads.com for more information about this book, and other books like this one.
I gave it a 3 out of 5 star rating. Hope to write again this time next week, so until then, stay safe and read lots!
- K
Meet Kiko, who's brother Sammy is off fighting in the war of Vietnam, in the year 1972 (i think). His Tatan (grandfather) is suffering from delusions from the second world war, and at one point attacks someone in their tourist shop, accusing him of 'raping' Kiko's mother. During the course of the story you see the point of view of Seto, a soldier from World War 2 who has been hiding out in a cave since the war, and is convinced that the war is still going on, and that he is in danger.
As time goes on Kiko tries to come to terms with his Tatan's crazy behaviour, deal with his brother being away in war and not knowing how he is doing, enjoy what is left of his vacation from school, and deal with his over protective parents.
Kiko, after a while, begins to believe that Sammy was not his real brother, but his half brother who was conceived during world war 2 when his mother was raped by the soldiers, and that is why his father and grandfather are protective of her.
But the time Seto has spent in the caves has turned him into a sort of monster, and Kiko is coming closer and closer to falling into his cave. Kiko will need to determine the importance of life, and what it means to him and those around him, if he hopes to survive this fight without surrendering.
All in all it was a pretty good book, and a pretty quick read. The author clearly knew what they were writing about, and did their proper research before diving into this book. And though it is a fictional story, there are parts of it taken from true stories, such as Seto's cave dwelling during the war.
Give it a read if you get the chance, and check out Goodreads.com for more information about this book, and other books like this one.
I gave it a 3 out of 5 star rating. Hope to write again this time next week, so until then, stay safe and read lots!
- K
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2017
A compelling historical novel with characters who will capture your heart. There is so much to love about this well-researched book, which is hard to put down once you start reading. The internal struggles feel so real; and the emotions are authentic. An exceptional story that every teen should read, especially in these times.
May 2, 2014
"No Surrender Soldier" is the story of Kiko, a teen who lives on the island of Guam during the 1970s. He has the same dreams, thoughts, and worries as most teenagers until his life is turned upside-down when he discovers a Japanese soldier who has been hiding since World War II, which sets off a whole course of events that will make Kiko question his family's past and whether or not revenge is ever truly worth it. Yes, it sounds far-fetched but the author actually based this story on a true case. This is an interesting young adult story with a good deal of armchair traveling!
I really liked that this book was based on a true story. Sometimes the truth is much, much stranger than fiction. This book is definitely that way. I really liked the detail of what Kiko's life was like on Guam. You get to get to see a great deal of not only the setting but also what Kiko's family life was like. I really liked reading about Kiko and his family.
The writing in this book was good and the pacing worked fairly well. I did wish that there was a little bit more detail in the book though. The first part of the book is mostly about Kiko and his family and their lives. The Japanese soldier did not come until later in the book. I kind of think that it would be interesting to see more about what the Japanese soldier's life was like and how he survived. I found myself wondering why that was left out.
Overall, this was a great fictional take on a true story!
I really liked that this book was based on a true story. Sometimes the truth is much, much stranger than fiction. This book is definitely that way. I really liked the detail of what Kiko's life was like on Guam. You get to get to see a great deal of not only the setting but also what Kiko's family life was like. I really liked reading about Kiko and his family.
The writing in this book was good and the pacing worked fairly well. I did wish that there was a little bit more detail in the book though. The first part of the book is mostly about Kiko and his family and their lives. The Japanese soldier did not come until later in the book. I kind of think that it would be interesting to see more about what the Japanese soldier's life was like and how he survived. I found myself wondering why that was left out.
Overall, this was a great fictional take on a true story!
March 9, 2016
This is a fascinating historical novel based on a factual person, Seto (Shoichi) Yokoi, a Japanese soldier who did not surrender when the U.S. liberated Guam in 1944 and survived hidden on the island for 28 years. Set in 1972 during the Vietnam War, this novel alternates between the viewpoints of Seto and fifteen-year-old Kiko, a native boy dealing with all sorts of conflicts. The way their stories are woven together is masterful, and the setting is so lush and detailed, this reader feels she has actually visited Guam. Recommended for teen readers and older who would like to know about Guam or have an interest in World War 2, Vietnam, or survival.
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