What do you think?
Rate this book
Different Days
Twelve-year-old Rosie is fiercely proud to be an American, and has a happy life with her family in their comfortable home in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii.
Then, on the morning of December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is bombed and everything changes.
Rosie's parents, both of German descent -- but American citizens who have lived in Hawaii nearly all their lives -- are immediately rounded up by the military. Though they've done nothing wrong, they are interrogated as German spies and imprisoned, and all the family's possessions are seized. Within days, Rosie and her brother are abandoned and homeless. A relative begrudgingly takes them in until their beloved aunt (who was also rounded up, but released) comes for them. Even then, the children's once-idyllic lives are filled with darkness and discrimination as they can only wait -- and hope -- for their parents' safe return.
Based on true events, Different Days tells the story of a little-known aspect of World War II: the Internment of German Americans.
Then, on the morning of December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is bombed and everything changes.
Rosie's parents, both of German descent -- but American citizens who have lived in Hawaii nearly all their lives -- are immediately rounded up by the military. Though they've done nothing wrong, they are interrogated as German spies and imprisoned, and all the family's possessions are seized. Within days, Rosie and her brother are abandoned and homeless. A relative begrudgingly takes them in until their beloved aunt (who was also rounded up, but released) comes for them. Even then, the children's once-idyllic lives are filled with darkness and discrimination as they can only wait -- and hope -- for their parents' safe return.
Based on true events, Different Days tells the story of a little-known aspect of World War II: the Internment of German Americans.
Hardcover
First published October 1, 2017
10 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 17, 2018
Based on a true story in a lesser-known chapter of WWII history.
November 16, 2018
It was awesome! The point of view it was written from was absolutely mind blowing because it was so relatable. The readability was great, and I never wanted to put it down. There was never a part where I was not on the edge of my seat.
November 19, 2017
Erwin, Vicki Berger Different Days, 28 pages. Sky Pony Press, 2017. $18. Content: G.
Rosie and her family have lived on Oahu for more than a generation. But when Pearl Harbor is bombed, its not only Japanese citizens who are rounded up – so are citizens of German descent. Rosie’s mother and father are taken away without explanation, leaving Rosie to take care of her little brother alone. Their Aunt Etta helps for a little while, but even she is taken by government officials. While their other aunt takes them in, she doesn’t want any of her friends to know they are related. And the man who seems to be in charge of their parents’ property and finances is definitely up to something fishy. Even if her parents return, will there be anything for them to come back to?
I think most people know about Japanese Americans being sent to internment camps, but some 11,000 German Americans were also interned. Based on the life of Doris Nye, who lived on Oahu. It is nice to see more of these hidden stories coming to light.
EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Rosie and her family have lived on Oahu for more than a generation. But when Pearl Harbor is bombed, its not only Japanese citizens who are rounded up – so are citizens of German descent. Rosie’s mother and father are taken away without explanation, leaving Rosie to take care of her little brother alone. Their Aunt Etta helps for a little while, but even she is taken by government officials. While their other aunt takes them in, she doesn’t want any of her friends to know they are related. And the man who seems to be in charge of their parents’ property and finances is definitely up to something fishy. Even if her parents return, will there be anything for them to come back to?
I think most people know about Japanese Americans being sent to internment camps, but some 11,000 German Americans were also interned. Based on the life of Doris Nye, who lived on Oahu. It is nice to see more of these hidden stories coming to light.
EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
November 11, 2017
DIFFERENT DAYS by Vicki Berger Erwin
Lessons from history, to help us not repeat mistakes. I did not know of the internment of German “enemy aliens,” illegal actions against citizens, corrupt theft of property. The solid truth of this fictional account makes it compelling, and the historical notes afterward make it even more so. Rose is a wonderful, strong, honest character, and this book, while labeled YA, is solid and compelling for adult readers as well. I have respect for those who rebuilt after such a blow, determined to make “different days” into good days and put Aloha spirit in the quilt squares.
Lessons from history, to help us not repeat mistakes. I did not know of the internment of German “enemy aliens,” illegal actions against citizens, corrupt theft of property. The solid truth of this fictional account makes it compelling, and the historical notes afterward make it even more so. Rose is a wonderful, strong, honest character, and this book, while labeled YA, is solid and compelling for adult readers as well. I have respect for those who rebuilt after such a blow, determined to make “different days” into good days and put Aloha spirit in the quilt squares.
October 20, 2017
An interesting and endearing story set in Hawaii during World War II. Based on a true story, an eleven-year-old American girl, of German descent, must endure the loss of her parents who are falsely accused of being enemy aliens. The losses mount up as their home and possessions are taken away or lost, including a dear kitty. A good addition to school and library historical fiction MG collections.
June 6, 2018
Engaging kids’ historical fiction
This is a great chapter book for young readers to learn about racism, World War 2, internment camps, and a little about Hawaii. It does a good job of explaining how horrible racism is, but it also highlights the underlining fear and concern that fuels it. I think it manages to be age appropriate with a difficult topic.
This is a great chapter book for young readers to learn about racism, World War 2, internment camps, and a little about Hawaii. It does a good job of explaining how horrible racism is, but it also highlights the underlining fear and concern that fuels it. I think it manages to be age appropriate with a difficult topic.
November 19, 2018
I loved the accuracy of this book! It was based on true things that had happened to a child named Doris Berg and her family in Hawaii. The writing is captivating, and the reader is soon drawn into commiserating with Rosie and her brother Freddie. Everything about the book just feels so real. The Hawaiian beaches, the reactions of kindergarteners, and the blanket of fear felt by everyone. The reader truly feels they are living it all with Rosie and the Schatzer family. Erwin is a master of tearing emotion out of you but somehow keeping your hopes tied together just enough so that you don’t fall apart. The historical accuracy was a refreshing way to learn about a little known aspect that we don’t really hear about – life on Hawaii after Pearl Harbor for people immigrated from countries that had joined the Axis Powers. There is a lot in here that isn’t found in school textbooks. Erwin does a good job of educating readers without sacrificing the story. While Rosie and Freddie certainly go through a lot of troubles in the book, the thing that kind of threw me off a little was that there wasn’t much that they actually solved for themselves. While I guess that this was an accurate portrayal, it got to be disappointing when adult characters just so happened to stop every issue, even if the kids felt the emotional repercussions. I would have liked to see a bit more problem solving in them as they developed more as characters. The story was still absolutely riveting, and I would recommend it to any WWII buff or person looking for a good story. Looking for more from this author! Cover art is wonderful too! Please note I received a free review copy of this book.
August 28, 2020
DIFFERENT DAYS is certainly a middle-grade book. I would recommend it for children, but not adults. It was well put together and written in a way that children would enjoy. I did like how it was set in WW2 Hawaii. It was nice to read about a WW2 setting outside of Europe. I learned a bit about the culture and lifestyle of 1940s Hawaii. It was an easy, enjoyable read. It's a bit over-simplified for adult reading, but I suppose I can't complain about that since it is marketed toward children.
January 3, 2020
Different Days is a beautifully-written story about a lesser-known facet of American history. The beginning is a little slow, but once the main conflict kicks in it's a thoroughly engrossing book that feels very relevant for today's readers. The only thing that bugged me was having two characters, both antagonists, named Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith, who didn't seem to be related--a little confusing.
May 27, 2022
This girl, Rosie, I wanted to slap at times and the spelling of the words all the time, drove me nuts. Reminded me of Reign/Rain
Read
January 4, 2018Twelve-year-old Rosie is fiercely proud to be an American, and has a happy life with her family in their comfortable home in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii.
Then, on the morning of December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is bombed and everything changes.
Rosie's parents, both of German descent -- but American citizens who have lived in Hawaii nearly all their lives -- are immediately rounded up by the military. Though they've done nothing wrong, they are interrogated as German spies and imprisoned, and all the family's possessions are seized. Within days, Rosie and her brother are abandoned and homeless. A relative begrudgingly takes them in until their beloved aunt (who was also rounded up, but released) comes for them. Even then, the children's once-idyllic lives are filled with darkness and discrimination as they can only wait -- and hope -- for their parents' safe return.
Based on true events, Different Days tells the story of a little-known aspect of World War II: the Internment of German Americans
Then, on the morning of December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is bombed and everything changes.
Rosie's parents, both of German descent -- but American citizens who have lived in Hawaii nearly all their lives -- are immediately rounded up by the military. Though they've done nothing wrong, they are interrogated as German spies and imprisoned, and all the family's possessions are seized. Within days, Rosie and her brother are abandoned and homeless. A relative begrudgingly takes them in until their beloved aunt (who was also rounded up, but released) comes for them. Even then, the children's once-idyllic lives are filled with darkness and discrimination as they can only wait -- and hope -- for their parents' safe return.
Based on true events, Different Days tells the story of a little-known aspect of World War II: the Internment of German Americans
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews