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My Friend the Enemy
Hating the Japanese was simple before she met Sogoji.
Pearl Harbor was bombed on Hazel Anderson’s birthday and she’s been on the lookout for enemies ever since. She scours the skies above Mount Hood with her binoculars, hoping to make some crucial observation, or uncover the hideout of enemy spies.
But what she discovers instead is a 15-year-old orphan, hiding out, trying to avoid being sent to an internment camp. Sogoji was born in America. He’s eager to help Hazel with the war effort. Is this lonely boy really the enemy?
In this thought-provoking story of patriotism, loyalty, and belonging, Hazel must decide what it means to be a true American, and a true friend.
From the Hardcover edition.
Pearl Harbor was bombed on Hazel Anderson’s birthday and she’s been on the lookout for enemies ever since. She scours the skies above Mount Hood with her binoculars, hoping to make some crucial observation, or uncover the hideout of enemy spies.
But what she discovers instead is a 15-year-old orphan, hiding out, trying to avoid being sent to an internment camp. Sogoji was born in America. He’s eager to help Hazel with the war effort. Is this lonely boy really the enemy?
In this thought-provoking story of patriotism, loyalty, and belonging, Hazel must decide what it means to be a true American, and a true friend.
From the Hardcover edition.
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2005
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105 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Cheaney
6 books28 followersJ. B. Cheaney’s The Playmaker was named one of Booklist’s Top Ten First Novels for Teens. She and her husband live in the Ozarks of Missouri.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 12, 2018
My Friend the Enemy, by J.B. Cheaney is a beautiful story about a fifth grade girl named Hazel, whose community holds a heart full of hate towards Japanese. Along with Hazel herself, until she meets one. When her neighbor Jed goes of to war, she takes it upon herself to “take care of things.” Therefore, she attempts to build a watch tower so she can scan for enemies. One day, she finds that Jed’s parents have been keeping a japanese boy hidden from the police, and the two become the best of friends. This story continues to tell about Hazel’s difficulty keeping this big secret, and how the two try their best towards the war, despite appearances.
This book was, to say the least, time well spent. It was a nice, short read, but every moment was wonderful. I loved how you could see Hazel’s suspicion towards her new friend, Sogoji. I thought that made the book a lot more realistic. She was very concerned with his race, but one of my favorite part of the book was getting to see this little girl look past racism, and find a true friendship, despite him being “the enemy.” There were so many cute things about this book. I loved all of the little things that Hazel and Sogoji did together, and how they spent their time. Despite being precious, this book was definitely a tear jerker. I think that’s what made the book so great, was the contrast between funny, cute, bittersweet, and straight up heartbreaking. One thing that I didn’t really love about the book was how much they involved Hazel’s teacher. He was one of the biggest characters, and frankly, it frustrated me. It was good to see Hazel’s home life, how she felt like because of the war, her childhood didn’t matter. It really added to the character of this little girl, who would never like to be called little girl. I loved how genuine and real Sogoji was. It was so cute how he listened to Hazel, took her advice, and always tried to be the best person he could be.
Anywhere you are can be a home, because people are what make a home. It doesn't matter where you live, but when you are with your friends and family, that is where you belong. An important part of Sogoji’s identity is the very fact that he is japanese, but this does not define him. He is not a dirty enemy the way Hazel and many others were raised to see believe, but rather an intelligent, hardworking, loving person. I firmly believe that every single person has good, and they are doing their best, and there is no accurate way to categorize a group of people based on religion or race. Sogoji was japanese, but his home was wherever Hazel happened to be.
This book was, to say the least, time well spent. It was a nice, short read, but every moment was wonderful. I loved how you could see Hazel’s suspicion towards her new friend, Sogoji. I thought that made the book a lot more realistic. She was very concerned with his race, but one of my favorite part of the book was getting to see this little girl look past racism, and find a true friendship, despite him being “the enemy.” There were so many cute things about this book. I loved all of the little things that Hazel and Sogoji did together, and how they spent their time. Despite being precious, this book was definitely a tear jerker. I think that’s what made the book so great, was the contrast between funny, cute, bittersweet, and straight up heartbreaking. One thing that I didn’t really love about the book was how much they involved Hazel’s teacher. He was one of the biggest characters, and frankly, it frustrated me. It was good to see Hazel’s home life, how she felt like because of the war, her childhood didn’t matter. It really added to the character of this little girl, who would never like to be called little girl. I loved how genuine and real Sogoji was. It was so cute how he listened to Hazel, took her advice, and always tried to be the best person he could be.
Anywhere you are can be a home, because people are what make a home. It doesn't matter where you live, but when you are with your friends and family, that is where you belong. An important part of Sogoji’s identity is the very fact that he is japanese, but this does not define him. He is not a dirty enemy the way Hazel and many others were raised to see believe, but rather an intelligent, hardworking, loving person. I firmly believe that every single person has good, and they are doing their best, and there is no accurate way to categorize a group of people based on religion or race. Sogoji was japanese, but his home was wherever Hazel happened to be.
May 4, 2025
This book is not good. -H
January 25, 2016
This is a young adult book that takes place in Oregon during World War II. Hazel, 11, is one of the main characters along with her older sister Estelle. The other major character, Sogoji, is an orphan Nisei, meaning he is an American citizen born of Japanese parents.
The problem is that this takes place after the Japanese Americans were sent to the internment camps. Sogoji remained behind, which was an illegal act. A white couple is taking care of him.
The book centers around Hazel's initial hatred of Japanese, and then her meeting with Sogoji. Throughout the rest of the book Hazel has to balance her own growing friendship with Sogoji against her anti-Japanese feelings that she has been taught to have by those around her.
There is also a sub-plot about a new schoolteacher who claims to be an American soldier who had been wounded in the war.
Also, the book deals with one of the lesser-known events of the war, and that is the use of the balloon bombs by the Japanese, which were balloons launched from Japan that made their way across the Pacific. The purpose was to act as a terror weapon, starting forest fires and perhaps destroying factories; there was no way of knowing since there was no way of actually controlling where the balloon went.
One of the strongest points of the book is the various references it makes to how people viewed the Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Some of the ways in which the characters in the book refer to them include:
”Sneaky devils.”
”Claude says Japs are sneakier than the Germans.”
”Japs acted tough but were cowards at heart-everybody knew that, not just from the comics but also from posters and movie cartoons. They were small, with buck-teeth and thick eyeglasses. You could tell them from other Orientals because of the space between their big toe and the other toes, caused by the sandals they wore.”
”In newspaper and movie cartoons, Japs had wide, evil grins.”
”Because of you, there's a lot fewer filthy Japs livin' and breathin' on God's green earth...”
”They smile and bow and act so polite, then they turn around and stab you in the back.”
The book also talks about how there was a lot of opposition on the West Coast to the ending of the internment of the Japanese Americans and their returning to their former homes.
Another thing it brings up is how many persons of Japanese ancestry had not learned to speak English (the Issei), and that they are dislike for that; in other words, they refused to fit in to our society, as they argument went.
On the positive side, one of the characters mentions the Japanese Americans who are fighting in Germany on the side of the US (the 442nd group).
The book is an excellent examination of how regular people viewed persons of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast, and just how much prejudice there was against them. The book also tells its story well, with interesting characters. One of the best I've seen on the subject.
The problem is that this takes place after the Japanese Americans were sent to the internment camps. Sogoji remained behind, which was an illegal act. A white couple is taking care of him.
The book centers around Hazel's initial hatred of Japanese, and then her meeting with Sogoji. Throughout the rest of the book Hazel has to balance her own growing friendship with Sogoji against her anti-Japanese feelings that she has been taught to have by those around her.
There is also a sub-plot about a new schoolteacher who claims to be an American soldier who had been wounded in the war.
Also, the book deals with one of the lesser-known events of the war, and that is the use of the balloon bombs by the Japanese, which were balloons launched from Japan that made their way across the Pacific. The purpose was to act as a terror weapon, starting forest fires and perhaps destroying factories; there was no way of knowing since there was no way of actually controlling where the balloon went.
One of the strongest points of the book is the various references it makes to how people viewed the Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Some of the ways in which the characters in the book refer to them include:
”Sneaky devils.”
”Claude says Japs are sneakier than the Germans.”
”Japs acted tough but were cowards at heart-everybody knew that, not just from the comics but also from posters and movie cartoons. They were small, with buck-teeth and thick eyeglasses. You could tell them from other Orientals because of the space between their big toe and the other toes, caused by the sandals they wore.”
”In newspaper and movie cartoons, Japs had wide, evil grins.”
”Because of you, there's a lot fewer filthy Japs livin' and breathin' on God's green earth...”
”They smile and bow and act so polite, then they turn around and stab you in the back.”
The book also talks about how there was a lot of opposition on the West Coast to the ending of the internment of the Japanese Americans and their returning to their former homes.
Another thing it brings up is how many persons of Japanese ancestry had not learned to speak English (the Issei), and that they are dislike for that; in other words, they refused to fit in to our society, as they argument went.
On the positive side, one of the characters mentions the Japanese Americans who are fighting in Germany on the side of the US (the 442nd group).
The book is an excellent examination of how regular people viewed persons of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast, and just how much prejudice there was against them. The book also tells its story well, with interesting characters. One of the best I've seen on the subject.
October 14, 2013
"My Friend the Enemy" by J.B. Cheaney is a story about the conflict at Pearl Harbor and World War II from the point of view of an 11 year old girl named Hazel Anderson. On Hazel's 9th birthday, Pearl Harbor was bombed. Every day in the 2 years that followed, Hazel was on the look-out for 'Japs'. She shared the view of most Americans, thinking that the Japanese were only out to attack and take over the world. When her older friend and neighbor Jed volunteered for the Marines, she was furious that the Japanese were taking away her look-out partner. Not long after he had left, she found out that Jed's parents were secretly harboring a 15-year-old Japanese boy named Sogoji. Sogoji was helping around the house in the place of Jed in exchange for protection from being placed in a camp. Hazel may struggle with the concepts of loyalty, patriotism and kinship, but she has little problem when she has to decide how to treat a friend in trouble that is dealing with the same emotions and issues as herself.
This historical fiction novel is a great way for children to realize that there are two sides to every story. It also shows that people that we may have conflict with, have their own reasons for not agreeing with us. While reading this book, I was able to feel connected to characters and it seemed real at some points. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think it would be a great book for 4th-6th graders to read. They would be able to relate to this book because they would be fairly close in age and train of thought as the main characters.
This historical fiction novel is a great way for children to realize that there are two sides to every story. It also shows that people that we may have conflict with, have their own reasons for not agreeing with us. While reading this book, I was able to feel connected to characters and it seemed real at some points. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think it would be a great book for 4th-6th graders to read. They would be able to relate to this book because they would be fairly close in age and train of thought as the main characters.
July 18, 2018
I have some conflicting feelings about this book. Most of the Japanese population was in the west. Most of the country did not even know Americans of Japanese descent were being interned. If they had released the photographs by Dorothea Lange I wonder if public sentiment would have been different. This is my third book about the internment. Was public sentiment so outspoken and loud against them? What op-Ed’s were written? Is this book accurate in that way? I did not know about the balloon bombs. Thinking about the family one hit makes me contemplate how I will go. This book did have a couple quotes I found to be pretty great:
“Not all of them are like that, I thought stubbornly. But it took a little effort to think it. “
Paraphrased “bitterness can make people lose their common sense. Their common kindness, too.”
“Not all of them are like that, I thought stubbornly. But it took a little effort to think it. “
Paraphrased “bitterness can make people lose their common sense. Their common kindness, too.”
January 30, 2019
My Friend the Enemy is about a kid that meets a Japanese maid and becomes really good friends with them. It happened during World War II, and most people thought of the Japanese as enemies and traitors to the United States. Throughout the book, the main character, Hazel and the Japanese boy, Sogoji, build an observation tower to watch for enemy planes together and become very close friends. I really liked this book because it was very interesting. It started off kind of boring, but the book became more interesting and the storyline was very clear and concise as the book went on. This was my favorite book that I have read this year because it was so interesting and the author used a lot of details to help me understand. Also the author made a book that I would normally find confusing and boring very interesting.
July 12, 2017
An interesting look at WWII from a child's perspective living in the state of Washington.
April 23, 2012
This is my favorite (so far!) of Janie Cheaney's middle grade novels. I loved the characterization (and a main character who was a girl but to whom boys could relate as well), the dialogue (so hard to do well!), the glimpse into a little known part of WWII history (aftermath of Pearl Harbor on the NW Coast; Japanese-American relations), the open ending (hopeful, but not too tidy/wrapped up artificially), the plot (wow! didn't see it coming!), etc.
That being said, I think it's a touch long for the target audience. 4th/5th graders and up who enjoy reading will enjoy this one, but reluctant readers will probably need more action.
That being said, I think it's a touch long for the target audience. 4th/5th graders and up who enjoy reading will enjoy this one, but reluctant readers will probably need more action.
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August 10, 2016Another not-a-bad-story-but-not-really-satisfying young-adult novel. I think what gets me about these books I've been reading recently (e.g. Stepping on the Cracks) is that there is no real character development. The people are just along for the ride as the authors try to describe what it was like in various civilian locations during WWII. While the description is mildly interesting, I think I learned more from the Authors Note at the end of My Friend, the Enemy than from from the story itself.
June 21, 2010
I truly enjoyed this book. However it does fall into the trap of typical historical-fiction for children: long drawn-out paragraphs of introspective thought that is not typical of children 12 and under, nor are children this age going to read this. But this is a fabulous book, nonetheless.
January 16, 2015
I enjoyed the story. It would be a great way for anyone, especially for students in the middle grades, to get a view of life during WWII for those in the USA. It also addresses the situation of Americans of Japanese descent during these years.
February 10, 2009
Its good so far its cool that the main character knows so much about the war
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February 6, 2009testGoodreads
March 27, 2009
this is a really good book if you didnt read this book yet you should
August 3, 2009
Again, a good book but not one of my favorites. I really enjoyed reading it because of the time period but I must admit this book was also really easy for me.
October 28, 2010
Fast paced, exciting!
January 8, 2011
A great story of friendship and patriotism. I would recommend for 5th or 6th grade and up.
February 8, 2011
This book waS ok ... The ending didnt evennsay what happened to everyone ... I did kinda enjoy it
June 3, 2011
it was historical and interesting. I liked how the American girl and Japanese boy made friends together.
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April 29, 2018Hi guys! Check out my review on my blog! https://josieslibrary.wordpress.com/2...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews