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Four-Four-Two
From the author of Soldier Boys and Search and Destroy comes an “immersive and inspirational” ( Booklist , starred review) page-turner based on the little-known history of the Japanese Americans who fought with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II.
Yuki Nakahara is an American.
But it’s the start of World War II, and America doesn’t see it that way. Like many other Japanese Americans, Yuki and his family have been forced into an internment camp in the Utah desert. But Yuki isn’t willing to sit back and accept this injustice—it’s his country too, and he’s going to prove it by enlisting in the army to fight for the Allies.
When Yuki and his friend Shig ship out, they aren’t prepared for the experiences they’ll encounter as members of the “Four-Four-Two,” a segregated regiment made up entirely of Japanese-American soldiers. Before Yuki returns home—if he returns home—he’ll come face to face with persistent prejudices, grueling combat he never imagined, and friendships deeper than he knew possible.
Yuki Nakahara is an American.
But it’s the start of World War II, and America doesn’t see it that way. Like many other Japanese Americans, Yuki and his family have been forced into an internment camp in the Utah desert. But Yuki isn’t willing to sit back and accept this injustice—it’s his country too, and he’s going to prove it by enlisting in the army to fight for the Allies.
When Yuki and his friend Shig ship out, they aren’t prepared for the experiences they’ll encounter as members of the “Four-Four-Two,” a segregated regiment made up entirely of Japanese-American soldiers. Before Yuki returns home—if he returns home—he’ll come face to face with persistent prejudices, grueling combat he never imagined, and friendships deeper than he knew possible.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2016
105 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Dean Hughes
169 books347 followersDean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
February 11, 2017
It may not be a literary masterpiece but Dean Hughes’ newest young adult novel tells a story that bears repeating again and again. The men of the 442nd Regimental Combat team, made up almost entirely of soldiers of Japanese ancestry, fought heroically against the Germans in World War II. They became the most decorated unit in the history of American warfare, earning, among other things, twenty-one Medals of Honor and eight Presidential Unit Citations. 9,486 Purple Hearts were awarded to the 14,000 soldiers who served in the unit. The unit’s Combat Casualty Rate was an unimaginable 314 percent.
Hughes tells the story of the 4-4-2, as its soldiers called it, through the eyes of two friends, Yuki and Shig who, leaving their families behind in internment camps, enlisted in the Army to show their country that they were as much loyal Americans as anyone. They were soon shipped off to Europe to fight the Germans (the Nisei troops were never trusted to fight the Japanese). As they fought their way up the Italian Peninsula, through France and into Germany their encounters with the enemy became more frequent and also more deadly. Early on in the war I felt that the story was a little too pristine to be a convincing account of men at war. It seemed to lack the gritty, life-is-nasty-brutish-and-short sense that one expects when all traces of humanity is stripped away. But Hughes does do an excellent job of describing the hardships encountered by the soldiers and as the war progresses it becomes apparent how much of a toll the constant exposure to cold, exhaustion and brutality is taking on them.
Bottom line: I was concerned that the author would miss the mark in telling the story of this unit by either portraying their tale as something glorious and heroic, giving young readers a false impression of war, or he would underplay the immense suffering and sacrifice endured by these men who had to fight harder than anyone else just to be considered as Americans. There is an inscription on a monument in Arlington Cemetery that, while not referring to the men of the 4-4-2, beautifully captures their sense of dedication.
The review copy of Four-Four-Two that I received was an audiobook read by Kirby Heyborne, (Al Capone Does My Shirts, Hollow City). As always, Heyborne does an excellent job of portraying a young narrator.
* The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher and LibraryThing in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star - The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
Hughes tells the story of the 4-4-2, as its soldiers called it, through the eyes of two friends, Yuki and Shig who, leaving their families behind in internment camps, enlisted in the Army to show their country that they were as much loyal Americans as anyone. They were soon shipped off to Europe to fight the Germans (the Nisei troops were never trusted to fight the Japanese). As they fought their way up the Italian Peninsula, through France and into Germany their encounters with the enemy became more frequent and also more deadly. Early on in the war I felt that the story was a little too pristine to be a convincing account of men at war. It seemed to lack the gritty, life-is-nasty-brutish-and-short sense that one expects when all traces of humanity is stripped away. But Hughes does do an excellent job of describing the hardships encountered by the soldiers and as the war progresses it becomes apparent how much of a toll the constant exposure to cold, exhaustion and brutality is taking on them.
Bottom line: I was concerned that the author would miss the mark in telling the story of this unit by either portraying their tale as something glorious and heroic, giving young readers a false impression of war, or he would underplay the immense suffering and sacrifice endured by these men who had to fight harder than anyone else just to be considered as Americans. There is an inscription on a monument in Arlington Cemetery that, while not referring to the men of the 4-4-2, beautifully captures their sense of dedication.
Not for fame or reward, Not for place or for rank
Not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity
But in simple obedience to duty as they understood it
These men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all-and died.
The review copy of Four-Four-Two that I received was an audiobook read by Kirby Heyborne, (Al Capone Does My Shirts, Hollow City). As always, Heyborne does an excellent job of portraying a young narrator.
* The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher and LibraryThing in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star - The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
April 15, 2022
In the novel, "Four-Four-Two" by Dean Hughes, after Yuki talks to his friend and comrade, Shig, the author writes, "That was it. What he and Shig were doing- and the Germans, too- was brutal, disgusting. Killing was killing, no matter how hard people tried to redefine it. Yuki knew he would have to spend his life trying to remove all this ugliness from his head and hands" (Hughes 146). As a Japanese-American during World War Two, Yuki faced many challenges, from near-death experiences on the battlefield, proving his loyalty to his country, and trying to find peace within himself after the war. Through all these challenges however, Yuki prevails and never gives up. As previously stated, Yuki faces different challenges during World War Two, I like how the author describes these challenges whether it be facing prejudice from his commanding officers or his time during battles where he almost dies. Furthermore, I enjoy seeing Yuki and Shig's friendship grow and change throughout the novel, it interests me seeing how war can affect people and their relationships. In addition, I love how well the author describes Yuki's battles, they keep me interested in reading more of the book. Lastly, I enjoyed seeing Yuki and Keiko go out on a date, when Yuki comes home from the war. While in Europe, Yuki felt that he was not good enough for her since he was commiting disgusting things during battle, but Shig reassures him, that what he has to do, is not who he really is. On the contrary, I disliked not knowing what happened to Yuki's father while he was in prison. His prison time changed him a lot, and I feel like we should have known what he went through to end up how he is.
March 2, 2022
Review to Come!
November 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book thoroughly, because of how it talked about the untold WWII story of the Nisei-1st Generation Japanese Americans-troops that fought to protect a country that did not want to accept them. With their sacrifices it gave us a hope and a chance to live in the country with the freedoms we have today. Without their bravery, who knows where the world would be know. I usually do not read books about war, but I saw this at the bookfair and it seemed like the only middle-school that looked interesting. However, I should have known to ever judge a book by its cover! I was very surprised with the emotions and the changes Yuki ,the main character in the book, went throughout the story. All in all I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to read a book about WWII, from a soldier´s perspective.
September 8, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. It ties everything about war into one book. It includes the relationships between people, the gruesomeness of war, the reality of glory in war, and life after war. It gave me a better perspective on WWII and war in general. Great book that represents battle the right and realistic way. I recommended this book to anyone that is interested in battles, especially WWII.
July 31, 2018
Clarification: I think my honest rating would be 2 1/2 stars but I bumped it up to 3 because I didn't want to shortchange the book and author. Review: Why would I read this book, you (and I) might ask. One, it was the summer reading project book chosen by my oldest grandson, the one that I have a book club with. Two, it is a Texas Lone Star book choice. This is one of several military books written by Hughes, and this one was a timely choice as it deals with the Japanese internment during WWII. I was apprehensive about this book, hoping it did not glorify war. Boy. It did not. At the beginning, I noted that this book almost had a nonfiction feel to it; the research is evident--helpful and necessary--but it doesn't detract from the story itself. Once the Nisei soldiers get through the first phases of their training and all the prejudice they face from ordinary citizens and other military personnel, the research and nonfiction feel of this novel was paramount. During the battles, each page only needed smoke from artillery and blood spatters to make it more real than it was. The hero who doesn't feel like a hero--that is the takeaway. Like Yuki, the protagonist, the reader has to ask the question: How can I be admired and rewarded for killing young boys? The physical pain, the emotional pain, the lingering pain, the results of war that change who people are at the very base of their identity--it's all there. I look forward to book club with my grandson. I know this book affected him emotionally because he warned me about the ending before I even started reading it. War is not glorified by Hughes, yet I think someone who wants to be a soldier would learn what it truly costs to be one.
February 24, 2022
The 444th unit was a command of troops in World War II. Four-Four-Two is a fictional historical account of World War II through Yuki Nakahara's eyes as a Japanese-American. It is written by Dean Hughes, an author acclaimed for his books on young adults, sports, and war. He was born right before the end of the second world war in 1943 and experienced its aftereffects - which is why he is dedicated to these stories about the period with not just Four-Four-Two but his other titles such as Children of The Promise and Soldier Boys set during the same era. The story is about the discrimination against Japanese-Americans in WWII specifically, how this particular group was singled out as “traitors” or “spies” for next to no reason. I loved the parts of the story I have read, which depicts how everyone already has a preconceived notion of the main character and his family without actually knowing anything about them except for their heritage. The main character is interesting, and the interactions he has with his friend Shigeo are my favorite parts because their friendship is so believable and fun to read. More than that, the way they stick with each other through the discrimination they face to show their love and patriotism towards their true home–America–is inspirational. Anyone who is a fan of war stories or wants to see a tale of overcoming the unfair and untrue labels people put on you is welcome to pick up this book.
January 21, 2019
Yuki Nakahara is an American. But when the Japanese army aligned with the Axis Powers attacks Pearl Harbor, no one sees him that way. They see him as a no good son of two Japanese immigrants. Yuki doesn't want to be seen that way. He wants to be an American, so he enlists in the army to help fight World War II. Will Yuki and his best friend Shig survive, or will they go down in fighting for the country that hates them?
I have been waiting for a long time to read another historical fiction and this definitely makes the A-List. In fact, I haven't read a historical fiction since September. Fortunately, FOUR-FOUR-TWO really refreshed me back into the world of historical fiction. I had no idea how much second and first generation Japanese Americans were segregated. Almost to the point of how African Americans were. One of the best parts of this book was the preface and author's note; because it provided facts that happened before and after of when the book takes place.
Still reading: DUMPLIN' by Julie Murphy
Next up: THE LAST DAY ON MARS by Kevin Emerson
I have been waiting for a long time to read another historical fiction and this definitely makes the A-List. In fact, I haven't read a historical fiction since September. Fortunately, FOUR-FOUR-TWO really refreshed me back into the world of historical fiction. I had no idea how much second and first generation Japanese Americans were segregated. Almost to the point of how African Americans were. One of the best parts of this book was the preface and author's note; because it provided facts that happened before and after of when the book takes place.
Still reading: DUMPLIN' by Julie Murphy
Next up: THE LAST DAY ON MARS by Kevin Emerson
September 1, 2018
This is a story about Japanese Americans who were put in internment camps during WWII simply because they were of Japanese heritage. Some of these people were from families who had been in America for many generations. It is sad and is not fair, but it happened. The young son from one such family decided to join the military and fight for the country he loved, in spite of the fact that the country did not seem to love him back. How do these things happen? It was such an indignity to these good Americans. We tend to believe such things cannot happen here in America, the greatest country on earth, but the fact is they can and they did. So sad!!!
June 9, 2022
Yuki and Shig decide to enlist in WWII to fight for their country--and to prove that America IS their country. They become part of the 4-4-2, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was made up of Japanese soldiers, and which while fighting in Europe became the most decorated combat group in history. The boys always thought they'd come home heroes...now they realize they'll be lucky to make it home at all.
February 18, 2022
I think it has been a great book. A lot of detail!
January 30, 2019
It's so well written I wonder if the author was in the war.
December 16, 2021
the book was ok. The book had many action pack scenes and some scenes where there was some sad stuff. the book is about 2 boy that was interned in a camp because they where Japanese-Americans. They both sign up for the military. will they make it out. I highly recommend this book if you like history and action
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December 16, 2021The book was outstanding. It gave very in depth explanations and was very interesting. It made me want to read it over and over again. I recommend this book highly if you are in to history and Japanese-American history. It was very good to read and I think you should too.
December 16, 2021
The book was very good. It was emotional and really made me sympathize with the characters.
December 16, 2021
The book was exceptional, it had a few interesting parts, as well as a few boring parts.
October 5, 2021
The book that I read this semester was the book called Four-Four-Two by Dean Hughes. The book was historical fiction and followed a young Japanese-American man named Yuki. At the beginning of the book Yuki’s father is captured and is sent to prison for being Japanese. Yuki decides at this time that he wants to join the army and prove that he is as American as everyone else. However, when he is in combat he finds out that even as a soldier, putting his life on the line for his country, he is still mistreated.
I thought that this book was a GREAT read and I would definitely read it again. It was very suspenseful especially in the battle chapters, but also had a great plot revolving around being treated the right way as an American. If you are into WWII books or stories about fighting, then I would highly recommend giving this book a try.
I thought that this book was a GREAT read and I would definitely read it again. It was very suspenseful especially in the battle chapters, but also had a great plot revolving around being treated the right way as an American. If you are into WWII books or stories about fighting, then I would highly recommend giving this book a try.
December 16, 2016
Solid writing, and a likeable main character. I particularly loved the battle details, the way deaths weren't glossed over but each loss got a moment, and the gross but realistic descriptions of stuff like trench foot. It's a good choice for those reasons, but I think it's an even better choice for the depiction of racism and the darkness of what America did to it's own citizens during WWII. I bumped it up a star rating just for being the right book at the right time.
I recall learning about internment camps in high school, but I only remembered the broadest strokes. For a fictional story, this book did a great job conveying day to day details not just of being imprisoned stateside, but of one way someone might face overt and pervasive racism. Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, partly because I'd rather just read non-fiction. But I think the preface and the author's note had some great resources and more details (including photos), and the story did a good job getting me to want to read more.
Give this to your teens who like military stuff, WWII stories, and books about male friendship. Also, give it to all the other teens too, because with the current political climate and hate crimes rising it would make for an excellent discussion. Pair it with the soundtrack to George Takei's recent musical Allegiance and a conversation about what our next administration may be planning for more American citizens: http://www.snopes.com/2016/11/17/trum...
I recall learning about internment camps in high school, but I only remembered the broadest strokes. For a fictional story, this book did a great job conveying day to day details not just of being imprisoned stateside, but of one way someone might face overt and pervasive racism. Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, partly because I'd rather just read non-fiction. But I think the preface and the author's note had some great resources and more details (including photos), and the story did a good job getting me to want to read more.
Give this to your teens who like military stuff, WWII stories, and books about male friendship. Also, give it to all the other teens too, because with the current political climate and hate crimes rising it would make for an excellent discussion. Pair it with the soundtrack to George Takei's recent musical Allegiance and a conversation about what our next administration may be planning for more American citizens: http://www.snopes.com/2016/11/17/trum...
June 2, 2018
This is a story about Yuki, an eighteen year old boy and Shig, his best friend. They used to live like any other American teenager, until WW2 starts. Now, they are enemies to everyone. All of the Japeneese people get moved to camps out in the middle of no where, including Yuki, Shig, and their families. But when Yuki and Shig have a chance to join the army, they leave to go fight for their country, win the war, and come back heroes.
Will they both return alive?
Was war what they thought it would be?
Will they come back as different men?
What will happen to their family?
Will they come back like heros just like they have always dreamed?
This book deserves a round of applause. This was not what I expected it to be. I am usually not a fan of historical fiction, or really anything that includes history, but this book always kept me on the edge of my seat, I think I even shed a few tears. It explained and showed what being out at war will feel like, and what happens once people return and what they feel. What being different and rejected by people and your friends can feel like just because of your race. I defeanitly recommend this for any one, even if it is out of your comfort zone. And if you like it, and you will, keep reading this author (because I know I will)!
Will they both return alive?
Was war what they thought it would be?
Will they come back as different men?
What will happen to their family?
Will they come back like heros just like they have always dreamed?
This book deserves a round of applause. This was not what I expected it to be. I am usually not a fan of historical fiction, or really anything that includes history, but this book always kept me on the edge of my seat, I think I even shed a few tears. It explained and showed what being out at war will feel like, and what happens once people return and what they feel. What being different and rejected by people and your friends can feel like just because of your race. I defeanitly recommend this for any one, even if it is out of your comfort zone. And if you like it, and you will, keep reading this author (because I know I will)!
July 20, 2018
I found myself disappointed again. From the start, the book felt formulaic. At one point I looked at the jacket cover after I started reading the book and saw that Dean Hughes has written more than 80 books for young adults. That just confirmed what I already felt about the formulaic nature of the book. Every single author I know that churns out that many books has narratives that follow the same formula over and over again. I have never read any of Hughes' other works but I'm sure that if I were to pick up another of his books, I would likely find many things familiar.
Hughes never really inhabited Yuki. The reader never really had a chance to get to know him. The narrative jumped from a brief glimpse of the family in December 1941 when the father was arrested after Pearl Harbor to 1943 when Yuki and Shig enlisted and then a few months farther to when the boys shipped out to Europe. A better author could have included the information in those scenes as flashbacks, intricately woven into the narrative, making it much more compelling. Also, many of Yuki's (and other character's) reactions defy the typical suspension of disbelief, especially for a work of historical fiction.
I do not recommend this book, although I'm sure that many of my male students would enjoy it.
Hughes never really inhabited Yuki. The reader never really had a chance to get to know him. The narrative jumped from a brief glimpse of the family in December 1941 when the father was arrested after Pearl Harbor to 1943 when Yuki and Shig enlisted and then a few months farther to when the boys shipped out to Europe. A better author could have included the information in those scenes as flashbacks, intricately woven into the narrative, making it much more compelling. Also, many of Yuki's (and other character's) reactions defy the typical suspension of disbelief, especially for a work of historical fiction.
I do not recommend this book, although I'm sure that many of my male students would enjoy it.
April 15, 2020
The story: Yuki and Shig decide to enlist in WWII to fight for their country--and to prove that America IS their country. They become part of the 4-4-2, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was made up of Japanese soldiers, and which while fighting in Europe became the most decorated combat group in history. The boys always thought they'd come home heroes...now they realize they'll be lucky to make it home at all.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (war and the horrors of war; PTSD; racial prejudice) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.
Liz's comments: This was a powerful story of war and how it not only rips people apart, but brings them together in inexplicable ways. Give this to every boy who's played one too many games of "Call of Duty" and thinks war is one big game. They'll never think about it in quite the same way again.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (war and the horrors of war; PTSD; racial prejudice) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.
Liz's comments: This was a powerful story of war and how it not only rips people apart, but brings them together in inexplicable ways. Give this to every boy who's played one too many games of "Call of Duty" and thinks war is one big game. They'll never think about it in quite the same way again.
November 12, 2017
It wasn't my personal favorite book, but I can see many of my middle school students enjoying this book.
It is difficult to imagine being in Yuki's shoes. His family has been forced to leave their home to live in a Japanese relocation camp, yet he still enlists to fight for that very same country. The bravery and loyalty of the young men that fought for their country like Yuki is something that needs to be shared with the world.
I appreciate that Hughes wrote a book about this topic and the author's note at the end of the book. I learned a lot about this rather hidden part of American history.
This is a timely book that students would enjoy.
3 stars for me
4 stars for middle school students, its background, and its timely message
It is difficult to imagine being in Yuki's shoes. His family has been forced to leave their home to live in a Japanese relocation camp, yet he still enlists to fight for that very same country. The bravery and loyalty of the young men that fought for their country like Yuki is something that needs to be shared with the world.
I appreciate that Hughes wrote a book about this topic and the author's note at the end of the book. I learned a lot about this rather hidden part of American history.
This is a timely book that students would enjoy.
3 stars for me
4 stars for middle school students, its background, and its timely message
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November 25, 2016DNF at 25%
Though the subject matter is very timely considering the current political environment, the writing just did not hold my attention.
Though the subject matter is very timely considering the current political environment, the writing just did not hold my attention.
February 27, 2022
I wasn't impressed with this book until about a third of the way thought. then I really had a connection and found the book riveting.
February 5, 2017
In December 1941, right after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, high school student Yuki Nakahara witnessed his father, a California strawberry farmer, being arrested by the FBI as a Japanese spy and them tell his mother she is now an enemy alien.
Now, in April 1943, Yuki, his mother, younger brother Mick, and sisters Kay and May have all been living in the Central Utah Relocation Center, also known as Topaz. In fact, all west coast Japanese peoples, regardless of whether they were Nisei, born in the United States and whose parents were from Japan, or Issei, first generation Japanese immigrants, had been relocated to various internment camps around the country, as per Executive Order 9066 signed by President Roosevelt.
The United States mow needs more soldiers and are letting Japanese men enlist, as long as they swear allegiance to this country. Having just turned 18 years old, Yuki and his best friend Shigeo 'Shig' Omura have both decided to enlist, and despite the fact that the country he is going to defend is still holding his father prisoner. Yuki is determined to prove his loyalty to his country.
As part of the all Japanese 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Yuki and Shig find basic training hard and tough, but they are determined to prove themselves. Added to that, Japanese recruits find they are still facing the same racist attitudes from others in and around Camp Shelby, Mississippi, even though they are fighting for the same country. But then, basic training gave way to endless war games and Yuki thought they would never get a chance to fight. But, finally, in March 1944, the Four-Four-Two received their orders to ship out to Italy.
Although they had been anxious to get to the front, Yuki and Shig aren't really emotionally prepared for what they find in combat. Death and destruction surrounds them, friends are lost, and Yuki discovers that the enemy is now just a kid like he and Shig. He gets a small break from the fighting because of a very serious case of trench foot exacerbated by having to wear combat boots. But for Yuki, the hardest part of battle was still to come before he could find his way home.
I have to honest and say I don't care much for books where most of the action takes place on the battlefield, I am generally much more interested in the home front then the front lines. That said, I found Four-Four-Two to be a very interesting novel. Most books about Japanese internment during WWII are focused on the families living in those camps. Even when the young men enlist and go to war, the story stayed focused on the family at home.
But by focusing on two young Japanese American men who enlist in the army, author Dean Hughes is able to show that even though they were fighting on the same side as other Americans, they were still segregated into their own regiment, the 442nd. Men like Yuki and Shig had to constantly deal with racial prejudice both in the army and away from it. One telling example is the barber who refuses to cut "Jap hair" despite Yuki's uniform and the two medals he wore on the (a purple heart and a Silver Star for gallantry in action).
Hughes begins Four-Four-Two with a Preface that explains how some Americans saw German, Italian and Japanese immigrants at the start of the war, and why. Japanese immigrants were not allowed to become citizens, and Hughes goes on the give background into the treatment of Issei as 'enemy aliens', and includes details about the exemplary wartime performance of their sons who joined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Also included is a breakdown of military units for people like me, who can never keep them straight.
This is a book that should appeal to anyone interested in WWII, Japanese American history and I think they will find that parts of it unfortunately still resonates in today's world.
This book is recommended for readers age 13+
This book was an EARC received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
Now, in April 1943, Yuki, his mother, younger brother Mick, and sisters Kay and May have all been living in the Central Utah Relocation Center, also known as Topaz. In fact, all west coast Japanese peoples, regardless of whether they were Nisei, born in the United States and whose parents were from Japan, or Issei, first generation Japanese immigrants, had been relocated to various internment camps around the country, as per Executive Order 9066 signed by President Roosevelt.
The United States mow needs more soldiers and are letting Japanese men enlist, as long as they swear allegiance to this country. Having just turned 18 years old, Yuki and his best friend Shigeo 'Shig' Omura have both decided to enlist, and despite the fact that the country he is going to defend is still holding his father prisoner. Yuki is determined to prove his loyalty to his country.
As part of the all Japanese 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Yuki and Shig find basic training hard and tough, but they are determined to prove themselves. Added to that, Japanese recruits find they are still facing the same racist attitudes from others in and around Camp Shelby, Mississippi, even though they are fighting for the same country. But then, basic training gave way to endless war games and Yuki thought they would never get a chance to fight. But, finally, in March 1944, the Four-Four-Two received their orders to ship out to Italy.
Although they had been anxious to get to the front, Yuki and Shig aren't really emotionally prepared for what they find in combat. Death and destruction surrounds them, friends are lost, and Yuki discovers that the enemy is now just a kid like he and Shig. He gets a small break from the fighting because of a very serious case of trench foot exacerbated by having to wear combat boots. But for Yuki, the hardest part of battle was still to come before he could find his way home.
I have to honest and say I don't care much for books where most of the action takes place on the battlefield, I am generally much more interested in the home front then the front lines. That said, I found Four-Four-Two to be a very interesting novel. Most books about Japanese internment during WWII are focused on the families living in those camps. Even when the young men enlist and go to war, the story stayed focused on the family at home.
But by focusing on two young Japanese American men who enlist in the army, author Dean Hughes is able to show that even though they were fighting on the same side as other Americans, they were still segregated into their own regiment, the 442nd. Men like Yuki and Shig had to constantly deal with racial prejudice both in the army and away from it. One telling example is the barber who refuses to cut "Jap hair" despite Yuki's uniform and the two medals he wore on the (a purple heart and a Silver Star for gallantry in action).
Hughes begins Four-Four-Two with a Preface that explains how some Americans saw German, Italian and Japanese immigrants at the start of the war, and why. Japanese immigrants were not allowed to become citizens, and Hughes goes on the give background into the treatment of Issei as 'enemy aliens', and includes details about the exemplary wartime performance of their sons who joined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Also included is a breakdown of military units for people like me, who can never keep them straight.
This is a book that should appeal to anyone interested in WWII, Japanese American history and I think they will find that parts of it unfortunately still resonates in today's world.
This book is recommended for readers age 13+
This book was an EARC received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
July 26, 2017
I will review this book as a YA book, meant for Middle Schoolers and early High School. I'm pretty sure that's what it's meant for....or at least that's what it should be meant for lol.
Writing: The writing was definitely meant for those in Middle School and early High School, anything later I would be disappointed lol. First, the writing has a lot of telling and not showing. Now, this did not change the fact that it still makes its readers think and feel emotional (I nearly cried twice), I just think it could use a little more showing. Overall, though it was good writing and I found myself getting wrapped in the story, characters, and thinking about our own issues today. I think the writing is perfect for those of the younger set because it will definitely cause them to think and feel emotional for their characters. This is exactly what the author I think wants. To make the writing simple enough for them to understand and keep their attention, but also cause them to think. Overall, good writing.
Characters:
Yuki: Oh my gosh. Yuki. I love him so much. We get to see the war from his eyes. We see that it isn't all exciting and glorified as movies make it out to be. It's stressful, people die, and despite being the "other side" there's still guilt of killing other people. So many good people on both sides die, and it is truly sad. We truly see this from his character. Yuki is someone who tries to be optimistic but still struggles too. He's relatable and human, and I like that. Overall, he's a good well-rounded character, and I enjoyed reading about him.
Shig: Shig is your underdog guy. Doesn't draw too much attention to himself, may be seen as a "loser" and at least with someone as little importance. Shig takes things pretty close to home, and you see that he struggles to stay bright at all in this dark world. He's a good character and I admire his loyalty to Yuki. I loved seeing him and Yuki support each other during war.
Side Characters: Oh my gosh, they were all the same. I couldn't tell any of them apart. I mean I get it, it's supposed to be YA and short, so younger generations can easily read it. But I think they could've added like a 100 more pages, and given more depth to side characters, and even Shig. I like Shig, and was sad when he suffered, but I really think this book could've been better if Yuki didn't get all of the attention.
Social Commentaries:
This book makes a lot of commentaries about war and racism. I think it would be great to discuss, in younger set class rooms, especially in this day and age. There were many thought-provoking things in this book, that definitely have merit. Boys are dying in war, on BOTH sides. Anyone can die. And what's happening is killing, and it's a shame that has to happen. It also speaks of how we're all American, no matter the skin color, or no matter where our parents originated. It truly becomes aghasting (is that a word?) when these boys have fought and died MORE THAN ANYONE, but are still kept in camps and are told that they are "japs." Additionally, it touches on what veterans have to suffer through, and how terrible that is.
Overall, this is a good book. It doesn't glorify war, and let's it reader know that what's going on isn't a joke. While I consider the writing light, I would not consider it lightweight. I recommend this book to middle schoolers and early high schoolers, but if you're an adult I will not turn away from this. It still has a lot to offer, and will definitely tug at your heartstrings.
Writing: The writing was definitely meant for those in Middle School and early High School, anything later I would be disappointed lol. First, the writing has a lot of telling and not showing. Now, this did not change the fact that it still makes its readers think and feel emotional (I nearly cried twice), I just think it could use a little more showing. Overall, though it was good writing and I found myself getting wrapped in the story, characters, and thinking about our own issues today. I think the writing is perfect for those of the younger set because it will definitely cause them to think and feel emotional for their characters. This is exactly what the author I think wants. To make the writing simple enough for them to understand and keep their attention, but also cause them to think. Overall, good writing.
Characters:
Yuki: Oh my gosh. Yuki. I love him so much. We get to see the war from his eyes. We see that it isn't all exciting and glorified as movies make it out to be. It's stressful, people die, and despite being the "other side" there's still guilt of killing other people. So many good people on both sides die, and it is truly sad. We truly see this from his character. Yuki is someone who tries to be optimistic but still struggles too. He's relatable and human, and I like that. Overall, he's a good well-rounded character, and I enjoyed reading about him.
Shig: Shig is your underdog guy. Doesn't draw too much attention to himself, may be seen as a "loser" and at least with someone as little importance. Shig takes things pretty close to home, and you see that he struggles to stay bright at all in this dark world. He's a good character and I admire his loyalty to Yuki. I loved seeing him and Yuki support each other during war.
Side Characters: Oh my gosh, they were all the same. I couldn't tell any of them apart. I mean I get it, it's supposed to be YA and short, so younger generations can easily read it. But I think they could've added like a 100 more pages, and given more depth to side characters, and even Shig. I like Shig, and was sad when he suffered, but I really think this book could've been better if Yuki didn't get all of the attention.
Social Commentaries:
This book makes a lot of commentaries about war and racism. I think it would be great to discuss, in younger set class rooms, especially in this day and age. There were many thought-provoking things in this book, that definitely have merit. Boys are dying in war, on BOTH sides. Anyone can die. And what's happening is killing, and it's a shame that has to happen. It also speaks of how we're all American, no matter the skin color, or no matter where our parents originated. It truly becomes aghasting (is that a word?) when these boys have fought and died MORE THAN ANYONE, but are still kept in camps and are told that they are "japs." Additionally, it touches on what veterans have to suffer through, and how terrible that is.
Overall, this is a good book. It doesn't glorify war, and let's it reader know that what's going on isn't a joke. While I consider the writing light, I would not consider it lightweight. I recommend this book to middle schoolers and early high schoolers, but if you're an adult I will not turn away from this. It still has a lot to offer, and will definitely tug at your heartstrings.
May 20, 2020
Dean Hughes Four-Four-Two tells the inspiring story of the Japanese Americans who fought in World War Two with the allies despite the prejudice against them. Yuki Nakahara and his best friend Shig have lived in America their whole lives, but after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, everyone was suspicious of the loyalties of Japanese Americans. Yuki, Shig, and their families are sent to an internment camp. The boys want to prove their loyalties lie with America, so they enlisted in the army. After a hard training Yuki and Shig are sent out with the 442 Regimental Combat Team of only Japanese Americans. They get their first taste of the real fighting after they are bombed by a group of Germans trying to keep a stronghold. Men lose their close friends,their own lives, and they are physically and emotionally strained. Yet they become one of the best regiments in the war because of their bravery and commitment to one another.
This was one of the best books I have ever read! It explored important topics in today’s world, specifically racism. During and after World War Two Japanese Americans were viewed as suspicious because of their ancestry which linked them back to Japan. Families like Shig’s had lost almost all contact with their Japanese heritage and were loyal to America. Because of the way they looked, they were forced to go into internment camps during the war. Today the problem of racism still hasn’t been solved. The news is still filled with stories where the belief of racism has caused violent actions. With the Covid-19 pandemic there has been racist prejudice against East Asian people because that area was the source of the outbreak.
Another book I read, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand shared how Japanese Americans continued to be unfairly targeted after the war. POWs returning from Japanese camps often experienced PTSD when encountering a Japanese American. This fear they had for all those who shared a resemblance to their captors caused them to react violently on occasion toward that person. In Four-Four-Two, after Yuki returns home from the war, a barber refused to serve him just because he was Japanese American. Suspicion didn’t suddenly disappear after the war, and many people suffered because of it.
I agree with the Dean Hughes story and the topics and opinions it brings up. His story shows that the racism toward Japanese Americans had little foundation. The majority of the people who were persecuted were loyal Americans with an ancestry connected to Japan. Nobody can control their heritage, and they shouldn’t be blamed for it. I can see that there might have been a danger in someone who had strong ties back to Japan, but in other books I’ve read, like Bomb by Steve Sheinkin, it was any American that was a spy. And not only spies for Japan, but spies for America’s ally the Soviet Union. The war was full of deceit because spies came in all shapes, sizes, race, etc.
Overall this was a beautifully written story. It was raw and showed many of the trials of those who went into war. I would suggest this book for teens 13 and above. Some of the scenes of death or wounds were somewhat graphic and it’s a heavy topic. But I think this story teaches a great lesson of loyalty and bravery! I highly recommend this historical fiction for anyone looking for a good read.
This was one of the best books I have ever read! It explored important topics in today’s world, specifically racism. During and after World War Two Japanese Americans were viewed as suspicious because of their ancestry which linked them back to Japan. Families like Shig’s had lost almost all contact with their Japanese heritage and were loyal to America. Because of the way they looked, they were forced to go into internment camps during the war. Today the problem of racism still hasn’t been solved. The news is still filled with stories where the belief of racism has caused violent actions. With the Covid-19 pandemic there has been racist prejudice against East Asian people because that area was the source of the outbreak.
Another book I read, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand shared how Japanese Americans continued to be unfairly targeted after the war. POWs returning from Japanese camps often experienced PTSD when encountering a Japanese American. This fear they had for all those who shared a resemblance to their captors caused them to react violently on occasion toward that person. In Four-Four-Two, after Yuki returns home from the war, a barber refused to serve him just because he was Japanese American. Suspicion didn’t suddenly disappear after the war, and many people suffered because of it.
I agree with the Dean Hughes story and the topics and opinions it brings up. His story shows that the racism toward Japanese Americans had little foundation. The majority of the people who were persecuted were loyal Americans with an ancestry connected to Japan. Nobody can control their heritage, and they shouldn’t be blamed for it. I can see that there might have been a danger in someone who had strong ties back to Japan, but in other books I’ve read, like Bomb by Steve Sheinkin, it was any American that was a spy. And not only spies for Japan, but spies for America’s ally the Soviet Union. The war was full of deceit because spies came in all shapes, sizes, race, etc.
Overall this was a beautifully written story. It was raw and showed many of the trials of those who went into war. I would suggest this book for teens 13 and above. Some of the scenes of death or wounds were somewhat graphic and it’s a heavy topic. But I think this story teaches a great lesson of loyalty and bravery! I highly recommend this historical fiction for anyone looking for a good read.
June 24, 2024
This author has set himself a forbidding task, which is to tell the story of the Japanese-American soldiers who fought in Europe in WW2.
In a long foreword, he explains how unjust the internment of Japanese Americans was. He should have just told his story and let the reader discover and understand and feel for themself. But he could not do this. And that type of overbearing, explaining, teaching approach goes throughout the book. In the foreword, the author gives the historically inaccurate impression that no Japanese Americans spied for Japan. Actually, we know through declassified documents that hundreds of them did so. This was known to the government at the time because we had decrypted Japanese communications. Anyone who has read about the history of Pearl Harbor knows that Hawaiian spies were a part of the Japanese attack (including a Nazi spy who helped the Japanese). Obviously, a couple hundred spies do not justify interning over a hundred thousand innocent people. But since this is obvious, perhaps it does not need to be laboriously lectured about. Incidentally, the author also incorrectly states that Congress approved the Executive Orders that interned the Japanese. By definition, Executive Orders are done by the President without Congress. This was on FDR and it is very strange that the author dissembles on this point.
Now, about the book. This has a reputation of being a heavily-researched book, but it does not actually read that way. The book seems to know very little about the equipment and tactics of experienced soldiers in WW2. The author puts contemporary left-wing thoughts about war into the minds and mouths of these teenage boys who grew up in the 1930s. The whole thing reads like a liberal meditation on Vietnam. I don't know how many soldiers thought that what they were doing was equivalent to what the Nazis were doing, and that they were all disgusting because they participated in war, but I doubt it was a common sentiment.
The battle scenes are not as exciting as they could be or should be, but there are some thrilling moments, like when Yuki saves a man's life. The final scene of the book is touching, but also too talky and too preachy.
I would say the author believes this story is mostly about racial discrimination. And that's the problem here. This story is mostly about valor.
Overall, I don't think this is worth reading and I think it is a highly overrated novel. It seems like an attempt to do something like "Band of Brothers" that failed very badly. Stephen Ambrose once said that he liked to wave the flag when he wrote, and perhaps it is the fact that this author clearly loathes waving the flag that makes this story of patriotic young men who gave so much for their country a little tepid. This one is best avoided.
In a long foreword, he explains how unjust the internment of Japanese Americans was. He should have just told his story and let the reader discover and understand and feel for themself. But he could not do this. And that type of overbearing, explaining, teaching approach goes throughout the book. In the foreword, the author gives the historically inaccurate impression that no Japanese Americans spied for Japan. Actually, we know through declassified documents that hundreds of them did so. This was known to the government at the time because we had decrypted Japanese communications. Anyone who has read about the history of Pearl Harbor knows that Hawaiian spies were a part of the Japanese attack (including a Nazi spy who helped the Japanese). Obviously, a couple hundred spies do not justify interning over a hundred thousand innocent people. But since this is obvious, perhaps it does not need to be laboriously lectured about. Incidentally, the author also incorrectly states that Congress approved the Executive Orders that interned the Japanese. By definition, Executive Orders are done by the President without Congress. This was on FDR and it is very strange that the author dissembles on this point.
Now, about the book. This has a reputation of being a heavily-researched book, but it does not actually read that way. The book seems to know very little about the equipment and tactics of experienced soldiers in WW2. The author puts contemporary left-wing thoughts about war into the minds and mouths of these teenage boys who grew up in the 1930s. The whole thing reads like a liberal meditation on Vietnam. I don't know how many soldiers thought that what they were doing was equivalent to what the Nazis were doing, and that they were all disgusting because they participated in war, but I doubt it was a common sentiment.
The battle scenes are not as exciting as they could be or should be, but there are some thrilling moments, like when Yuki saves a man's life. The final scene of the book is touching, but also too talky and too preachy.
I would say the author believes this story is mostly about racial discrimination. And that's the problem here. This story is mostly about valor.
Overall, I don't think this is worth reading and I think it is a highly overrated novel. It seems like an attempt to do something like "Band of Brothers" that failed very badly. Stephen Ambrose once said that he liked to wave the flag when he wrote, and perhaps it is the fact that this author clearly loathes waving the flag that makes this story of patriotic young men who gave so much for their country a little tepid. This one is best avoided.
January 17, 2020
Four-Four-Two by Dean Hughes is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II. It displays the discrimination toward Japanese Americans because of the fear of spies being hidden among them. Four-Four-Two displays the point of view of a Japanese Soldier who escaped his Japanese camp, a holding for Japanese Americans for the whole war, through joining the war and fighting against the Germans in Europe.
Four-Four-Two shows the real colors of war from the patriotic feeling of signing up for the war, to the sick feeling of achieving your first kill, all the way to the saddened feeling of losing friends everyday. This book drags the reader into the book and how everyone goes into the war feeling John Wick, but none of them could achieve that status as many of them fall onto the ground once the bullets start flying. This book does a splendid job in telling the tale of the special unit suffering along with the sacrifice they have to make to prove that they were American dragging along in a seemingly never ending war.
Four-Four-Two also does a great job in show the imagery found in the action that occurs during the fights showing how gruesome the skirmishes were with the Nisei Soldiers against the Germans and how many of the fights were not just rushing at each other and shooting, but dig ins that the Nisei soldiers, Japanese American Soldiers, as shells were bombing on the groups of Nisei soldiers before the germans would rush at them. It shows a realism to the war by having blood being everywhere to body parts being separated from their body. Along with that he uses imagery to display how the main character feels, hears, and how hard it is for him to continue on in the war.
Lastly, Dean Hughes does an excellent job at showing the changes war has on the main character as Yuki. He develops throughout the whole story as a fun joking kid to a more adult figure. This is seen when Yuki is questioning himself if he could return to society after the war and his worriedness that his sacrifice was for nothing being afraid to come home and be discriminated because he was Japanese.
Overall Dean Hughes makes a book that should not be passed over easily. It shows the horridness of World War 2 and the discrimination faced by the japanese and even through all that, the taunted japanese still fought for a country that kept their family caged like prisoners. It shows the unfairness treated to many Japanese Americans during the time, and shows the courage found in the Japanese Platoons that were sent into Europe.
Four-Four-Two shows the real colors of war from the patriotic feeling of signing up for the war, to the sick feeling of achieving your first kill, all the way to the saddened feeling of losing friends everyday. This book drags the reader into the book and how everyone goes into the war feeling John Wick, but none of them could achieve that status as many of them fall onto the ground once the bullets start flying. This book does a splendid job in telling the tale of the special unit suffering along with the sacrifice they have to make to prove that they were American dragging along in a seemingly never ending war.
Four-Four-Two also does a great job in show the imagery found in the action that occurs during the fights showing how gruesome the skirmishes were with the Nisei Soldiers against the Germans and how many of the fights were not just rushing at each other and shooting, but dig ins that the Nisei soldiers, Japanese American Soldiers, as shells were bombing on the groups of Nisei soldiers before the germans would rush at them. It shows a realism to the war by having blood being everywhere to body parts being separated from their body. Along with that he uses imagery to display how the main character feels, hears, and how hard it is for him to continue on in the war.
Lastly, Dean Hughes does an excellent job at showing the changes war has on the main character as Yuki. He develops throughout the whole story as a fun joking kid to a more adult figure. This is seen when Yuki is questioning himself if he could return to society after the war and his worriedness that his sacrifice was for nothing being afraid to come home and be discriminated because he was Japanese.
Overall Dean Hughes makes a book that should not be passed over easily. It shows the horridness of World War 2 and the discrimination faced by the japanese and even through all that, the taunted japanese still fought for a country that kept their family caged like prisoners. It shows the unfairness treated to many Japanese Americans during the time, and shows the courage found in the Japanese Platoons that were sent into Europe.
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