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Love in the Library
"A powerful must-read."—Booklist (starred review)
Set in an internment camp where the United States cruelly detained Japanese Americans during WWII and based on true events, this moving love story finds hope in heartbreak.
To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human—that was miraculous.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast—elderly people, children, babies—now live in prison camps like Minidoka. To be who she is has become a crime, it seems, and Tama doesn’t know when or if she will ever leave. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day? Beautifully illustrated and complete with an afterword, back matter, and a photo of the real Tama and George—the author’s grandparents—Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s elegant love story for readers of all ages sheds light on a shameful chapter of American history.
Set in an internment camp where the United States cruelly detained Japanese Americans during WWII and based on true events, this moving love story finds hope in heartbreak.
To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human—that was miraculous.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast—elderly people, children, babies—now live in prison camps like Minidoka. To be who she is has become a crime, it seems, and Tama doesn’t know when or if she will ever leave. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day? Beautifully illustrated and complete with an afterword, back matter, and a photo of the real Tama and George—the author’s grandparents—Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s elegant love story for readers of all ages sheds light on a shameful chapter of American history.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 11, 2022
26 people are currently reading
3208 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Tokuda-Hall
9 books939 followersMaggie Tokuda-Hall (1984 -) is the author of Also an Octopus, The Mermaid the Witch and the Sea, its sequel The Siren, The Spy and The Song, Squad, and Love in the Library.
She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, children, and objectively perfect dog.
She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, children, and objectively perfect dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 877 reviews
June 12, 2023
Update sharing (below) what Maggie Tokuda-Ha;; decided to do in response to Scholastic's offer to republish/promote this book, and apologize for their wanting to edit her author's note, but if you don't have time to read her blog piece, the author said no, she rejects the offer from Scholastic:
https://www.prettyokmaggie.com/blog
Go, Maggie Tokuda-Hall! And go, Scholastic and other major publishers, fight racism and censorship and erased history!
Previous update based on an article about how Scholastic Books wanted to publish this book but delete references to racism in the author's afterword. See below.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall's grandparents met and fell in love in a library. Perfect for Goodreads romance readers, eh? But the library was in a prison camp here in the US during WWII, when Japanese-American citizens with no criminal records--whole families--were taken from their homes with minimal personal belongings, and were imprisoned for years. To attempt to soften the rhetorical blow of that harsh reality, American history calls this despicable process "internment" as if the law-abiding Japanese families, taken from and in most cases losing their homes and livelihood, were somehow being invited to be "interns" in a barbed wire enclosure in the desert--oh, good experience! you'll learn so much! It'll open up future opportunities for you!
So it is a kind of a sweet family story--Grandpa did not actually read many of those books he want every day to take out from the library and return, imagine that!--but it is followed by a fiery afterword by the author that is meant for adults to convey in some way perhaps to their children. As she says, "Hate is not a virus; it is an American tradition." "The racism that put my grandparents in Minidoka is the same hate that keeps children in cages at our border." Bravo, Love in the Library team, and lovely illustrations, too.
But now I read that Tokuda-Hall, in the process of getting the great news that a big and powerful publisher wanted to publish her book, asked her to cut the above references to racism, fearing that in these divisive times, that talking about such an uncomfortable subject might reduce book sales and maybe--given the move to censor books on racism and the defunding of libraries in some (red) states--actually get the book banned. Right! Better yet, let's put the sweet romance in a library on a fantasy island! With fairies! Let's not talk about uncomoratble realities and just hope they will go away!
The book was initially published by Candlewick Press, but getting the book picked up by a powerhouse such as Scholastic Press would ordinarily be a huge win, getting the book in the hands of many many more kids and schools and libraries.
Here's the article on brave Scholastic Books:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/15/116984...
In the article Scholastic, in the face of a firestorm of criticism (because that can sell books, too!) may be backing down on their original stance. See that here:
"Scholastic gave its reasons for the suggested change in an email to the author and her original publisher, Candlewick Press, citing a 'politically sensitive' moment for its market and a worry that the section 'goes beyond what some teachers are willing to cover with the kids in their elementary classrooms.'"
Tokuda-Hall's literary agent puts it succinctly:
"By refusing to let this story be situated in context of government oppression and enslavement of other marginalized groups, past and present, It makes it safe for them to say 'historically, mistakes were made, but look at how successful Japanese American communities are now,' " literary agent DongWon Song tweeted. "This is white supremacy. This is how it operates."
https://www.prettyokmaggie.com/blog
Go, Maggie Tokuda-Hall! And go, Scholastic and other major publishers, fight racism and censorship and erased history!
Previous update based on an article about how Scholastic Books wanted to publish this book but delete references to racism in the author's afterword. See below.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall's grandparents met and fell in love in a library. Perfect for Goodreads romance readers, eh? But the library was in a prison camp here in the US during WWII, when Japanese-American citizens with no criminal records--whole families--were taken from their homes with minimal personal belongings, and were imprisoned for years. To attempt to soften the rhetorical blow of that harsh reality, American history calls this despicable process "internment" as if the law-abiding Japanese families, taken from and in most cases losing their homes and livelihood, were somehow being invited to be "interns" in a barbed wire enclosure in the desert--oh, good experience! you'll learn so much! It'll open up future opportunities for you!
So it is a kind of a sweet family story--Grandpa did not actually read many of those books he want every day to take out from the library and return, imagine that!--but it is followed by a fiery afterword by the author that is meant for adults to convey in some way perhaps to their children. As she says, "Hate is not a virus; it is an American tradition." "The racism that put my grandparents in Minidoka is the same hate that keeps children in cages at our border." Bravo, Love in the Library team, and lovely illustrations, too.
But now I read that Tokuda-Hall, in the process of getting the great news that a big and powerful publisher wanted to publish her book, asked her to cut the above references to racism, fearing that in these divisive times, that talking about such an uncomfortable subject might reduce book sales and maybe--given the move to censor books on racism and the defunding of libraries in some (red) states--actually get the book banned. Right! Better yet, let's put the sweet romance in a library on a fantasy island! With fairies! Let's not talk about uncomoratble realities and just hope they will go away!
The book was initially published by Candlewick Press, but getting the book picked up by a powerhouse such as Scholastic Press would ordinarily be a huge win, getting the book in the hands of many many more kids and schools and libraries.
Here's the article on brave Scholastic Books:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/15/116984...
In the article Scholastic, in the face of a firestorm of criticism (because that can sell books, too!) may be backing down on their original stance. See that here:
"Scholastic gave its reasons for the suggested change in an email to the author and her original publisher, Candlewick Press, citing a 'politically sensitive' moment for its market and a worry that the section 'goes beyond what some teachers are willing to cover with the kids in their elementary classrooms.'"
Tokuda-Hall's literary agent puts it succinctly:
"By refusing to let this story be situated in context of government oppression and enslavement of other marginalized groups, past and present, It makes it safe for them to say 'historically, mistakes were made, but look at how successful Japanese American communities are now,' " literary agent DongWon Song tweeted. "This is white supremacy. This is how it operates."
February 16, 2023
Okay, this one is a bit of a tear-jerker! During World War II, FDR signed an executive order that led Japanese-Americans to be confined to internment camps along the West Coast of the United States. Love in the Library is a story loosely based on Tokuda-Hall's grandparents and their love story. While their lives were turned upside down, they were still able to find joy in the little things (like books!). However, Tokuda-Hall does a wonderful job explaining what internment camps were and the conditions people faced while there. This book is a great conversation starter for anyone looking to learn more about Asian-American history. -Alyssa C.
Love in the Library is a beautiful picture book set in a Japanese internment camp during WWII and tells the story of the author's maternal grandparents who met and fell in love during those horrific circumstances. While I would love to see a full novel expanding their story, this picture book will give readers of all ages a glimpse into this shameful chapter of American History and taste of hope during a time of heartbreak. -Diana F.
Love in the Library is a beautiful picture book set in a Japanese internment camp during WWII and tells the story of the author's maternal grandparents who met and fell in love during those horrific circumstances. While I would love to see a full novel expanding their story, this picture book will give readers of all ages a glimpse into this shameful chapter of American History and taste of hope during a time of heartbreak. -Diana F.
April 24, 2022
Wow! I haven’t been in the mood for many picture books for some time but I’ve been reading a few here and there. I was expecting to like this one but I really loved it. It’s excellent. The (mostly true) story told in not too many words is interesting and the illustrations are lovely and perfectly capture the subject matter. They’re wonderful. The author’s note (two pages of text) at the end packs a punch and says what should be said. A photo of the young couple is included. This is a book about love, hope, and injustice. Beautifully and powerfully done! I was “forced” to finally read this because it’s due soon at the library and there is a really long hold list. Well deserved!
April 14, 2023
Read earlier when first published - a gentle story about two young people finding joy in difficult conditions. They are both in a WWII Japanese internment camp.
In the news today because in light of the ongoing and outrageous attempts by the Christofascist Right here in the US to limit discussion of historical racism or anything that does not agree with their limited anti-scientific, anti-intellectual, anti-historical, and anti-art worldview this book's publisher - Scholastic - has asked the author to edit her Preface to remove any mention of racism. She has refused.
So glad I already purchased a copy.
In the news today because in light of the ongoing and outrageous attempts by the Christofascist Right here in the US to limit discussion of historical racism or anything that does not agree with their limited anti-scientific, anti-intellectual, anti-historical, and anti-art worldview this book's publisher - Scholastic - has asked the author to edit her Preface to remove any mention of racism. She has refused.
So glad I already purchased a copy.
November 1, 2023
My kids and I love this book.
March 12, 2022
An exquisite book about being human when the world, the government, one's circumstances are inhumane. I noticed how things didn't wrap up quickly, but the story took its time. We as readers really live there with the characters in Minidoka prison camp as they struggle and find joy despite.
April 3, 2022
Touching story about finding the good in the most adverse of circumstances. This is the story of the author's grandparents who fell in love at a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
Give this one to tweens, teens, young adults and adults who like picture books. You're never too old for a good picture book, 3.5 stars for kids, 4 stars for adults.
Give this one to tweens, teens, young adults and adults who like picture books. You're never too old for a good picture book, 3.5 stars for kids, 4 stars for adults.
January 27, 2022
This important audiobook by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Dreamscape Media, is based on the author's grandparents, who fell in love in a U.S. WWII Relocation Center for Japanese-Americans. While the narration is a bit soft, I found a copy to read, and let me say this beautifully illustrated YA book should be in every school and public library! Out January 25.
Thanks to the author, audio publisher, and NetGalley for the audio ARC; opinions are mine. This is a review of the audiobook and book.
#LoveintheLibrary #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, audio publisher, and NetGalley for the audio ARC; opinions are mine. This is a review of the audiobook and book.
#LoveintheLibrary #NetGalley
January 28, 2023
Aaaa sweet bangeet... dan ternyata ini tuh kisah nyata nenek-kakeknya si penulis🥰🥰 sepertinya ini akan bagus deh kalo ada dalam bentuk novel.
"To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren't human—that was miraculous. That was humans doing what humans do best."
"The miracle is hard to find sometimes. But it is in all of us."
"To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren't human—that was miraculous. That was humans doing what humans do best."
"The miracle is hard to find sometimes. But it is in all of us."
February 18, 2022
I don't usually put children's books on my "read" list, but this was so sweet and made me rather teary. Love in the Library is based on the true story of the author's grandparents who fell in love while living in a Japanese-American internment camp during the second world war. Artfully handled and beautifully illustrated, it's worth a read for children and adults alike.
May 16, 2022
Such a darling sweet book set in some difficult times.
November 23, 2023
“The miracle is in all of us.”
How do we ever overcome racism? How do we ever stop the cycle of hate? Can we learn from our past?
This illustrated children’s book is based on a true story. It is about Tama who was a librarian at Minidoka, a Japanese incarceration camp in Idaho during World War II.
And…
How she met George.
Who would eventually become her husband.
Mostly…
We get to see Tama in her everyday life at camp, as a librarian, before and during the time she meets George.
As readers we also see what life was like living incarcerated in this way during WWII.
Which makes this book…
An important history lesson. Where we can look to that part of history and see what occurred to Japanese Americans…the injustice, the virulent racism, the trauma, the losses of jobs, homes, educations, possessions.
But…
We can also see hope. That through history…
We can change and learn from it.
Interest level reading age: 8-10 years – grade level: 1st – 4th
January 4, 2022
An excellent read. It only takes a few minutes to read the whole story, and it was great to take a little break from life to take time for this story.
This story finds a bit inspiration in the midst of an Idahoan internment camp for Japanese Americans. Tama is the librarian at the camp, and George visits every day to check out a pile of books...
I was intrigued to discover that this little love story is based on the author grandparents. How fascinating!
I actually listened to the audio book version, which I highly recommend for audio listeners. Great narration.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
This story finds a bit inspiration in the midst of an Idahoan internment camp for Japanese Americans. Tama is the librarian at the camp, and George visits every day to check out a pile of books...
I was intrigued to discover that this little love story is based on the author grandparents. How fascinating!
I actually listened to the audio book version, which I highly recommend for audio listeners. Great narration.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
December 1, 2023
A lovely story with beautiful illustrations! ❤️
December 1, 2023
Such a beautiful story about love and hope with amazing illustrations.
April 2, 2022
Tama works in the library at the Minidoka incarceration camp where a fellow book enthusiast visits her every day. But is he truly reading a stack of books every day or visiting for another reason? Tokuda-Hall captures this sweet love story of her grandparents while giving a factual depiction of the racial prejudice committed upon Japanese Americans and how they were forced to create a life of escape amidst injustice.
Imamura captures the dismal atmosphere of the internment setting with shadows and brown hues while, at the same time, illustrating the characters with strength, resilience, and lifted spirits.
The unique illustrations, the expertly crafted story, and the importance of historical education for young children make this a true stand out.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Imamura captures the dismal atmosphere of the internment setting with shadows and brown hues while, at the same time, illustrating the characters with strength, resilience, and lifted spirits.
The unique illustrations, the expertly crafted story, and the importance of historical education for young children make this a true stand out.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
April 14, 2023
The story portion of this book is nice. It touches on the difficulties experienced by Japanese Americans during WWII and adds a tender love story. If only the book had stopped there. My problem with the book is the author's words, actually more of a rant, that is included at the back of the book. The words and opinions feel harsh and almost hateful rather than informative. This is a book for elementary children and such harshness is not appropriate for young readers. Anger and accusations seem to be the norm nowadays, which is sad. We should address the terrible actions of the past (this story happened over 75 years ago), but we can still be respectful and balanced in our expressions. My great-uncle was a prisoner of war in a Japanese prisoner camp. He was frequently tortured, yet he chose to be respectful of all people when he came home. He did not want to continue the horrors of war. We could learn from his example. War is a horrible thing and it brings fear and harm in many forms. Now more than ever, we need to speak fairly and respectfully to keep peace. Learn from the past yes, but not use it as a reason to be harsh and angry.
December 1, 2023
A beautiful and true love story not without any obstacles along their way in the hardest time of their lives!!
March 28, 2025
For a picture book with no words this was a beautiful story of two people falling in love while imprisoned just because of what race they are. The art was lovely and the story has a lovely happily ever after. 5 ⭐.
October 27, 2022
A bittersweet story that helps to break down the Japanese concentration camps in North America in WWII for younger children. It was nice that even though there was a love story component it was not meant to diminish the awfulness of these concentration camps.
June 7, 2024
AAPI - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Book number 2.
April 19, 2023
I read this because of the NPR article talking about how Scholastic wanted the author to tone down how she spoke about racism in America in her afterword - and how she refused. It's worth looking up what happened.
But let's talk about the book itself. It is very beautiful - the art, the writing. I have never been an elementary teacher, but I would think this would be for upper elementary or even middle school as the author talks about racism and injustice and complicated emotions in a way that does not dumb things down at all. I respect that.
The book is about the fact that things like love and resilience can be found in inhumane and unfair situations. But the author is very clear that while love and resilience are wonderful and miraculous, the takeaway is not that "love overcomes all" or "we can all find resilience"- the takeaway is that humans are capable of love and resilience DESPITE the very very awful injustices created within the chilling bureaucratic frameworks that support racism and bigotry.
But let's talk about the book itself. It is very beautiful - the art, the writing. I have never been an elementary teacher, but I would think this would be for upper elementary or even middle school as the author talks about racism and injustice and complicated emotions in a way that does not dumb things down at all. I respect that.
The book is about the fact that things like love and resilience can be found in inhumane and unfair situations. But the author is very clear that while love and resilience are wonderful and miraculous, the takeaway is not that "love overcomes all" or "we can all find resilience"- the takeaway is that humans are capable of love and resilience DESPITE the very very awful injustices created within the chilling bureaucratic frameworks that support racism and bigotry.
April 27, 2022
This picture book has readers meet Tama and George, two Japanese Americans being held in a prison camp called Minidoka. Based on the true story of the author's family being held in a similar camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor, readers follow Tama as she struggles with the unjust and cruel conditions of the camp. Working in the camp's library, she meets George, who comes every day to check out books.
This picture book not only shows the history of the Japanese Americans who had to live in such a cruel camp, but it also shows the power of books and human connection. I found so many beautiful quotes in this book, including one the author shares was in her grandmother's diary: "The miracle is in all of us." This is a must read!
Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
This picture book not only shows the history of the Japanese Americans who had to live in such a cruel camp, but it also shows the power of books and human connection. I found so many beautiful quotes in this book, including one the author shares was in her grandmother's diary: "The miracle is in all of us." This is a must read!
Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
June 18, 2023
Family Picture Book Read-Aloud Afternoon: A Nine-Book Pile!
Librarian romance! Even during the miserable and unforgivable period of Japanese-American internment during World War II, two unjustly incarcerated Americans find momentary escape and even love in an Idaho wasteland. Sweet!
It's disgusting that the current political climate has mired such a nice little book in an awful controversy:
• https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
• https://www.npr.org/2023/04/15/116984...
Librarian romance! Even during the miserable and unforgivable period of Japanese-American internment during World War II, two unjustly incarcerated Americans find momentary escape and even love in an Idaho wasteland. Sweet!
It's disgusting that the current political climate has mired such a nice little book in an awful controversy:
• https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
• https://www.npr.org/2023/04/15/116984...
April 15, 2023
A lovely picture book about an awful time in our history - the internment of Japanese Americans.
Purchased after reading a twitter thread about the author and Scholastic publishing where they wanted to distribute her book but only if she removed all discussion of racism from the author’s note.
How blind to ask such a thing of a book about dealing with the impact and anguish of blatant racism. Just terrible.
Happy to support the author with my purchase.
Purchased after reading a twitter thread about the author and Scholastic publishing where they wanted to distribute her book but only if she removed all discussion of racism from the author’s note.
How blind to ask such a thing of a book about dealing with the impact and anguish of blatant racism. Just terrible.
Happy to support the author with my purchase.
March 10, 2022
Gorgeously illustrated, this book relates the true story of finding hope and love even in the most unexpected places.
September 6, 2022
Loved it. And the author's note is 🔥🔥🔥
November 21, 2025
“It didn’t matter who you were, just what you were. And being Japanese American then was treated like a crime.”
I discovered Love in the Library from a coworker and learned that it was named a 2023 Association for Library Service to Children Notable Children’s Book. It was also included on best-of-the-year lists from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, recognized on Booklist’s “Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth” list in 2022, and has several positive starred reviews on the Barnes and Noble website. The book is written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura, and it was published in 2022.
“To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human, that was miraculous.”
This is the story of Tama and George meeting in Minidoka, a Japanese incarceration camp in Idaho. It is a beautiful story that shares the truth of what Japanese Americans faced when they were forced into these camps and made to live in harsh and extremely unpleasant conditions. Tama works as a librarian because she loves books, and George visits the library often because he is falling in love with her. The story is told from a third-person point of view and gently shows Tama’s sadness, confusion, and frustration. In spite of the subject matter, this is ultimately a story about love and hope. Tama and George marry and have a child while living in Minidoka, and the book leaves the reader with the message that “the miracle is in us… as long as we believe in change, in beauty, in hope.”
The book ends with an important Author’s Note that explains this “mostly true” story. Tama and George are the author’s grandparents, and the book is a tribute to them and to all marginalized people who still manage to create hope, beauty, and peace in difficult places. The Author’s Note also gives a brief history of the incarceration camps used to “relocate” Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor.
The illustrations are soft and beautiful. They look like watercolors and use warm, earthy colors. There is a lot of gentle white space, which creates a calm and thoughtful feeling as the story moves between the library and the world outside. Some of the pictures fill both pages and invite the reader to pause, and a few have textures that almost look like layers. Overall, the artwork adds emotion and warmth to the story.
This book can work as a mirror, window, and sliding glass door. For some students, it may reflect feelings of being unfairly judged or misunderstood. For others, it offers a window into a part of American history they may not have learned much about. And as a sliding glass door, it invites readers to imagine what life might have felt like for families living in the camps, while still seeing their humanity and strength.
In classrooms, this book could be used as an introduction to learning about Japanese incarceration during World War II. Students could read the Author’s Note together to build background knowledge or discuss why this part of history isn't often discussed. This is also a great text for talking about theme and identifying evidence, especially around ideas like resilience, dignity, love, and injustice. Students could research more about the camps, Minidoka, or Japanese American history. Another idea is for students to interview a family member to learn about a past story in their own family and then write a short piece or a narrative about what they discovered. This text could also be used to teach third person omniscient point of view, focusing on how we know Tama's thoughts and feelings. While I truly enjoyed this story, it is important to note that when using this text in a classroom one should be careful that the hopeful message and story does not take away from the harsh realities of what happened in these camps.
Even though it is geared toward elementary readers, this book could be used with older students as well. It is meaningful, accessible, and a beautiful way to begin important conversations about history, identity, and the ways people create hope even in difficult situations.
I discovered Love in the Library from a coworker and learned that it was named a 2023 Association for Library Service to Children Notable Children’s Book. It was also included on best-of-the-year lists from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, recognized on Booklist’s “Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth” list in 2022, and has several positive starred reviews on the Barnes and Noble website. The book is written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura, and it was published in 2022.
“To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human, that was miraculous.”
This is the story of Tama and George meeting in Minidoka, a Japanese incarceration camp in Idaho. It is a beautiful story that shares the truth of what Japanese Americans faced when they were forced into these camps and made to live in harsh and extremely unpleasant conditions. Tama works as a librarian because she loves books, and George visits the library often because he is falling in love with her. The story is told from a third-person point of view and gently shows Tama’s sadness, confusion, and frustration. In spite of the subject matter, this is ultimately a story about love and hope. Tama and George marry and have a child while living in Minidoka, and the book leaves the reader with the message that “the miracle is in us… as long as we believe in change, in beauty, in hope.”
The book ends with an important Author’s Note that explains this “mostly true” story. Tama and George are the author’s grandparents, and the book is a tribute to them and to all marginalized people who still manage to create hope, beauty, and peace in difficult places. The Author’s Note also gives a brief history of the incarceration camps used to “relocate” Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor.
The illustrations are soft and beautiful. They look like watercolors and use warm, earthy colors. There is a lot of gentle white space, which creates a calm and thoughtful feeling as the story moves between the library and the world outside. Some of the pictures fill both pages and invite the reader to pause, and a few have textures that almost look like layers. Overall, the artwork adds emotion and warmth to the story.
This book can work as a mirror, window, and sliding glass door. For some students, it may reflect feelings of being unfairly judged or misunderstood. For others, it offers a window into a part of American history they may not have learned much about. And as a sliding glass door, it invites readers to imagine what life might have felt like for families living in the camps, while still seeing their humanity and strength.
In classrooms, this book could be used as an introduction to learning about Japanese incarceration during World War II. Students could read the Author’s Note together to build background knowledge or discuss why this part of history isn't often discussed. This is also a great text for talking about theme and identifying evidence, especially around ideas like resilience, dignity, love, and injustice. Students could research more about the camps, Minidoka, or Japanese American history. Another idea is for students to interview a family member to learn about a past story in their own family and then write a short piece or a narrative about what they discovered. This text could also be used to teach third person omniscient point of view, focusing on how we know Tama's thoughts and feelings. While I truly enjoyed this story, it is important to note that when using this text in a classroom one should be careful that the hopeful message and story does not take away from the harsh realities of what happened in these camps.
Even though it is geared toward elementary readers, this book could be used with older students as well. It is meaningful, accessible, and a beautiful way to begin important conversations about history, identity, and the ways people create hope even in difficult situations.
February 4, 2022
This is such a sweet fictionalized story of two people, the author's grandparents, who found love despite having been sent to Minidoka, a Japanese incarceration camp located in the middle of nowhere in Idaho after the nation of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Tama was a young woman who loves books and reading and who took a job as librarian in the camp library despite not knowing how to be a librarian. George was a young man who seemed to like books, because every day he was at the library door with a big stack of books to return.
George and Tama, and all West Coast people of Japanese descent were sent to different incarceration camps despite having never committed a crime. Minidoka was unbearably hot in summer, and bitter cold in winter, and muddy in fall and spring because of rain. And there was virtually no privacy.
Tama loved to read and could get really lost in some of the books she read. But unlike George, Tama found it hard to smile, not at her books or the boys playing baseball outside the library. When George asked what was wrong, Tama couldn't find the right words to tell him. But George knows exactly the right word to describe what Tama was feeling: human.
And that's when Tama discovered that the reason George spent so much time in the library wasn't because he was a big reader, but it was because of her. In a place that tried to dehumanize them, it was a miracle to fall in love in Minidoka, but that's just was George and Tama did. And it didn't take long for them to get married despite the terrible circumstances they were living in and had their first son in the camp.
This is such a wonderful book for introducing young readers to what happened to people of Japanese descent once the United States entered WWII. The author never minimizes Tama's despair about how her life suddenly changed with her incarceration in Minidoka, or the terrible, unjust conditions under which people were forced to live, but she still manages to offer readers an optimistically hopeful story, all the more wonderful because it is based on a true story.
The text is complimented by detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations, reminiscent of the period and done in a palette of desert browns and tans broken by the more colorful clothing the inhabitants had brought with them.
Back matter consists of an Author's Note with more age appropriate information about how Japanese Americans were sent to the camps in the first place, and how it was done as well as more information on the real Tama and George.
Love in the Library would be a excellent addition to any school library or home library. And you can download a Teacher's Guide from the publisher HERE
This book was an eARC gratefully received from Candlewick Press
Tama was a young woman who loves books and reading and who took a job as librarian in the camp library despite not knowing how to be a librarian. George was a young man who seemed to like books, because every day he was at the library door with a big stack of books to return.
George and Tama, and all West Coast people of Japanese descent were sent to different incarceration camps despite having never committed a crime. Minidoka was unbearably hot in summer, and bitter cold in winter, and muddy in fall and spring because of rain. And there was virtually no privacy.
Tama loved to read and could get really lost in some of the books she read. But unlike George, Tama found it hard to smile, not at her books or the boys playing baseball outside the library. When George asked what was wrong, Tama couldn't find the right words to tell him. But George knows exactly the right word to describe what Tama was feeling: human.
And that's when Tama discovered that the reason George spent so much time in the library wasn't because he was a big reader, but it was because of her. In a place that tried to dehumanize them, it was a miracle to fall in love in Minidoka, but that's just was George and Tama did. And it didn't take long for them to get married despite the terrible circumstances they were living in and had their first son in the camp.
This is such a wonderful book for introducing young readers to what happened to people of Japanese descent once the United States entered WWII. The author never minimizes Tama's despair about how her life suddenly changed with her incarceration in Minidoka, or the terrible, unjust conditions under which people were forced to live, but she still manages to offer readers an optimistically hopeful story, all the more wonderful because it is based on a true story.
The text is complimented by detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations, reminiscent of the period and done in a palette of desert browns and tans broken by the more colorful clothing the inhabitants had brought with them.
Back matter consists of an Author's Note with more age appropriate information about how Japanese Americans were sent to the camps in the first place, and how it was done as well as more information on the real Tama and George.
Love in the Library would be a excellent addition to any school library or home library. And you can download a Teacher's Guide from the publisher HERE
This book was an eARC gratefully received from Candlewick Press
April 13, 2023
What a beautiful book! Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall tells the story of how her grandparents met while interned at Camp Minidoka (coincidentally, this is where my beloved high school French teacher was interned). The lovely watercolor illustrations still manage to show the harsh reality of what Japanese Americans lived with in the camps.
The author's note makes no bones that this is a book about racism ... and for that, I say hooray. We need to speak the truth about this shameful time in our country's history, and to speak out against its continuation in the present time.
The author's note makes no bones that this is a book about racism ... and for that, I say hooray. We need to speak the truth about this shameful time in our country's history, and to speak out against its continuation in the present time.
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