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A Diamond in the Desert
For Tetsu, baseball is so much more than just a game
On December 6, 1941, Tetsu is a twelve-year-old California boy who loves baseball. On December 7, 1941, everything changes. The bombing of Pearl Harbor means Tetsu's Japanese-American family will be relocated to an internment camp.
Gila River camp isn't technically a prison, but with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and no time frame for leaving, it might as well be. So when someone has the idea of building a baseball diamond and starting a team, Tetsu is overjoyed. But then his sister gets dangerously sick, forcing him to choose between his family and his love of the game. This is an impeccably researched, lyrical story about baseball, honor, and a turbulent period in U.S. history.
On December 6, 1941, Tetsu is a twelve-year-old California boy who loves baseball. On December 7, 1941, everything changes. The bombing of Pearl Harbor means Tetsu's Japanese-American family will be relocated to an internment camp.
Gila River camp isn't technically a prison, but with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and no time frame for leaving, it might as well be. So when someone has the idea of building a baseball diamond and starting a team, Tetsu is overjoyed. But then his sister gets dangerously sick, forcing him to choose between his family and his love of the game. This is an impeccably researched, lyrical story about baseball, honor, and a turbulent period in U.S. history.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2012
40 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Fitzmaurice
4 books78 followersWhen Kathryn was thirteen years old, her mother sent her to New York City over the summer to visit her grandmother, who was a science fiction author. After seeing how her grandmother could make the characters in her books into whomever she wanted, Kathryn decided that she, too, wanted to become a writer someday. Years later, after teaching elementary school, and taking many classes, she now writes full time and lives with her husband, two sons, and her dog, Holly, in Monarch Beach, California.
Kathryn was born in New York City, but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. Her favorite thing to do is walk her dog, Holly, who, she says is so smart, she can practically empty the dishwasher. She also likes organizing absolutely anything, including messy garages, closets, and even cluttered junk drawers. If she could, she would eat the same thing for lunch everyday, which would be a ham, Swiss cheese, and tomato Panini, a green apple, and a chocolate soufflé.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice taught elementary school for six years before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Monarch Beach, California, not far from the swallows' roost, with her husband and two sons.
Kathryn was born in New York City, but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. Her favorite thing to do is walk her dog, Holly, who, she says is so smart, she can practically empty the dishwasher. She also likes organizing absolutely anything, including messy garages, closets, and even cluttered junk drawers. If she could, she would eat the same thing for lunch everyday, which would be a ham, Swiss cheese, and tomato Panini, a green apple, and a chocolate soufflé.
Kathryn Fitzmaurice taught elementary school for six years before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Monarch Beach, California, not far from the swallows' roost, with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
March 23, 2018
It was good. It was fun. I enjoy reading about WWII even from the POV of the Japanese. In fact I've only read a couple of them and I've liked all of them.
It was clean for sure. Ages 8-15
I just wish there was a bit more closure with the boy named Horse. And a bit more about the pomegranates, if its symbolism, I needed help understanding it better.
Another book knocked off my TBR.
It was clean for sure. Ages 8-15
I just wish there was a bit more closure with the boy named Horse. And a bit more about the pomegranates, if its symbolism, I needed help understanding it better.
Another book knocked off my TBR.
January 16, 2015
Twelve-year-old Tetsu's life in California is uprooted when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and he is forced to relocate to Gila River camp in Arizona. His father is sent to North Dakota because the government suspects him of being a spy. Tetsu's father is incarcerated with no due process for years while Tetsu, his mom, and young sister, Kimi, go to the internment camp. Tetsu was a ball player and he meets others players at the camp. When a baseball team is formed, he finds some happiness until a disaster befalls his sister. I love the story of a Japanese man that built a baseball field in an internment camp during World War II and while it is not the focal point it is worked into the storyline. It's such a wonderful example of the human spirit rising above injustices and bad circumstances to bring hope to others. While the details and plot are well done, the characters are not particularly memorable; however, this is a story worth telling and noting.
The plot is solid and looks into the unique friendships formed under harsh conditions. Tetsu is at first bullied by a boy who later makes peace with him when he saves him from drowning. Another boy, Horse, is a large boy that never talks. He has been traumatized by an event and Tetsu is determined to find out why he won't speak. Horse is loyal and kind, connecting with Tetsu's younger sister who seems to intuitively understand his pain. The historical details are interesting and the camp loosely run. The guards are Japanese and sympathetic toward the inmates, turning a blind eye as kids repeatedly sneak out of the fenced-in camp. Violent dust storms seep into one room homes and desert animals become pets to lonely children. Some detainees built ponds by their homes and put fish in them. The bathrooms are communal and life is difficult with long slow days. Building a baseball stadium gave purpose to many of the people's lives and relieved their boredom by providing entertainment.
The characters fell short for me with the exception of Kimi. I liked her spunk and wisdom presented in the simplicity of a child. I really wanted more of the culture represented in the book. It doesn't capture the Japanese customs much and complexity of the culture. The Japanese forced into the camps were first and second generation Japanese, so I would have expected more customs and language prevalent at the camp. When Tetsu built the pond, I was expecting some elaboration on the importance of the garden in architecture and religion. The baseball was somewhat glossed over and could have revealed the emotional relief and joy brought to the internment camp. The chapters are extremely short and while this makes it accessible to the reluctant reader, it makes for less depth and texture.
Like I mentioned before, most of the Japanese put in internment camps were American citizens and second-generation. In 1980, the Japanese American Citizens League put pressure on the government to redress the wrongs done to them during this period. The result was Reagan signing the "Civil Liberties Act" in 1988 that apologized on the behalf of the U.S. government for the wrongful internment and awarded $20,000 dollars to camp survivors. While the past cannot be undone at least this is a move in the right direction toward healing a wrong.
The plot is solid and looks into the unique friendships formed under harsh conditions. Tetsu is at first bullied by a boy who later makes peace with him when he saves him from drowning. Another boy, Horse, is a large boy that never talks. He has been traumatized by an event and Tetsu is determined to find out why he won't speak. Horse is loyal and kind, connecting with Tetsu's younger sister who seems to intuitively understand his pain. The historical details are interesting and the camp loosely run. The guards are Japanese and sympathetic toward the inmates, turning a blind eye as kids repeatedly sneak out of the fenced-in camp. Violent dust storms seep into one room homes and desert animals become pets to lonely children. Some detainees built ponds by their homes and put fish in them. The bathrooms are communal and life is difficult with long slow days. Building a baseball stadium gave purpose to many of the people's lives and relieved their boredom by providing entertainment.
The characters fell short for me with the exception of Kimi. I liked her spunk and wisdom presented in the simplicity of a child. I really wanted more of the culture represented in the book. It doesn't capture the Japanese customs much and complexity of the culture. The Japanese forced into the camps were first and second generation Japanese, so I would have expected more customs and language prevalent at the camp. When Tetsu built the pond, I was expecting some elaboration on the importance of the garden in architecture and religion. The baseball was somewhat glossed over and could have revealed the emotional relief and joy brought to the internment camp. The chapters are extremely short and while this makes it accessible to the reluctant reader, it makes for less depth and texture.
Like I mentioned before, most of the Japanese put in internment camps were American citizens and second-generation. In 1980, the Japanese American Citizens League put pressure on the government to redress the wrongs done to them during this period. The result was Reagan signing the "Civil Liberties Act" in 1988 that apologized on the behalf of the U.S. government for the wrongful internment and awarded $20,000 dollars to camp survivors. While the past cannot be undone at least this is a move in the right direction toward healing a wrong.
July 2, 2012
Let me start out by saying that I am NOT a fan of baseball, so it was with some reluctance that I picked up this book. It turns out to be one of the best books I've read in a while! Set at Gila River camp during the Japanese internment during WWII, we hear of the experiences of Tetsu, 13 years old when he arrives at Gila River with his mother and sister. Tetsu is heartbroken and missing his father who was sent to a different facility because he was suspected of helping Japanese forces. Tetsu, despite being only 13 at the beginning of the story, must act as "The Man of the House", or in thise case the small room he shares with his mother and sister. Tetsu's voice really stands out. Everyone has certain roles they must play in life, and Fitzmaurice does an outstanding job of showing Tetsu as son, brother, friend, teammate, and scared boy. His voice is so realistic in all these different scenarios, and the common thread the reader sees about him in every situation is that he is a smart, nice, boy who just loves his family and the game of baseball. Historical facts are seamlessly interwoven with the story of the boys going to school, getting into mischief, and finally building a baseball field and playing the game, which helps them maintain a sense of normalcy, and I"m sure sanity. Secondary characters are well developed, and even the setting of Gila River itself comes to life. This book is distinguished by the author's spot on portrayal of a boy forced into a difficult situation, and persevering and even thriving there. Author's note explains her research and inspiration for the story, and a bibliography is included.
April 30, 2024
I wanted to read about Japanese interment, and this was the first book I chose to read. It was good for what it was, but it was more about baseball and Testu's family life then the internment. I did like how the sport united the Japanese Americans and gave them something to spend their time on during a dark time in their lives.
March 16, 2014
I just finished reading this book with my 10 year old daughter for a 4/5 grade parent/child book discussion group. We both enjoyed it. I enjoyed it more, though, as I have always been fascinated by stories of Japanese internment camps during World War 2. I did not even know that these camps existed....we were never taught this in U.S. History class....until I read "Snow Falling on Cedars" in the 90's. I read another story, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet" a couple of years ago that took the characters to an internment camp, as well. The Japanese Americans in all three stories always handled their internment with a great amount of dignity that I cannot even begin to fathom. This book tells the story from a 12 year old boys perspective. Although they are forced to live at this internment camp for years, his buddies and one of the boys father build a baseball diamond just outside the perimeters of camp and form a team, which helps them all endure their time spent at camp. It's a very good read. I would highly recommend any of the three books mentioned.
February 17, 2012
Kathryn Fitzmaurice writes another story about hopes and dreams and family and the things that can tear families apart and bring them back together. The things that can bring community together in the midst of despair. The friendships where you don't have to say anything at all and you know what the other is thinking. I loved, loved, loved this book. This is a gem of a story that is a must have for libraries and classrooms.
December 30, 2016
This quick read gave the readers interesting factual information on WWII during the time period 1942-1945. It deals specifically with a Japanese interment camp in Arizona, and has a prevalent topic- baseball. But it doesn't center around this topic, it focuses more on family, even though the protagonist, Tetsu, and friends love baseball!
September 2, 2017
I have a son who likes history and a son who loves baseball so I thought this book would appeal to both of them.
While it did keep their interest, it was definitely not a page turner and I think they were a little too young for some of the writing and themes that were explored (my boys are 9 and 10 yrs old).
That being said, it's always nice to spend time reading together and we had a few really great discussions about what it must have been like to be a Japanese-American living in an interment camp during WWII.
While it did keep their interest, it was definitely not a page turner and I think they were a little too young for some of the writing and themes that were explored (my boys are 9 and 10 yrs old).
That being said, it's always nice to spend time reading together and we had a few really great discussions about what it must have been like to be a Japanese-American living in an interment camp during WWII.
December 16, 2021
I think that the book was okay. I would rate it a 3/10. There were not really any good parts, like when they would play the baseball games, but apart from that it was boring, because they were just hanging around in the camp, and at school.
February 7, 2017
In this book the Japanese are sent to camps during the war. Tetsu's (the main character) father wasn't there. So with that Tetsu was trying to be like his father and take care of his mom, and his little sister, Kimi. Tetsu loved baseball, every chance he could get at home he would play. When they were in the camp there he met a pair of brothers that also loved baseball, so everyday them three would play catch for hours. The brothers dad was once a coach for their team, so they stated making a baseball diamond in the dessert for the boys to play on. One day while Ma is at work and Tetsu in charge of Kimi they get in a fight and when Tetsu returns from the field that day Kimi is gone. Read Diamond in teh Desert to see if he find Kimi.
April 28, 2015
The main character Tetsu lives breathes and sleeps baseball, but after his sister gets really sick he has to pick between his family and his love for baseball. Tetsu and his family got moved to a reformatory after the bombing of pearl harbor and because his family is jappenese. This is one of the most cool basebhall book I have ever read, if you like basebalkl you will defenitly like this book!
January 11, 2015
Amazing - and sad that these events happened in our country. But also a showing of the human strength and perseverence and honor that the Japanese Americans showed as they stood tall and survived. The book also shows how baseball unites no matter what the circumstances.
May 22, 2015
This book was one of the my favorite World War 2 books. I liked it because it was history. It was about the camps for the Japanese people that live in the U.S.A after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This book is very sad at times and happy at other times.
September 5, 2016
One of the best, best, best books ever!!!
July 16, 2012
A fine work of historical fiction, moving and often poignant.
May 18, 2017
A normal kid went from spending every minute of his life thinking and living baseball, to being stuck in an internment camp like a criminal. This is his story. This story is about a Japanese-American kid who lives in California close to the year 1940 or 1950. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he is sent to an internment camp where he is kept with many other Japanese people. The Americans don't trust the Japanese anymore because of what they did. This book is extremely hard to stop reading once you are into it. It is a great book and I highly recommend this book.
The first thing the book did well in was showing emotion. I could tell how heartbroken Tetsu and his sister were about having to leave their dog, Lefty. Tetsu was also really upset throughout the story because he had to leave baseball. They eventually make a field, but he is much more upset before they do so. The author used good describing words and I felt like I could feel what Tetsu was feeling.
This brings me to my next point.
I enjoyed the book most when they ran into a problem because it was a mini adventure to solve it. For example, Tetsu's little sister ran away from their barrack in the camp and was lost in the desert. They had been looking and searching and could not find her. They eventually found her far out in the desert huddled up next to a tree close to death. This was emotional for me because she had become very ill and would be away for a while. They always had something going on and it was very chaotic. The author did a great job on making me feel the tense moments when they were looking through the desert or the exciting moments when their team won a game against one of the best Little League teams out there. This was one of the best parts of the book and it made me want it read more.
The last thing and the best thing about this book is Tetsu's love for baseball. His love for the game got him through the rough times at the camp and brought is confidence up. Once they made the team and field, he was actually having fun. This was the best part of the book because I felt like I had won that game or caught that fly ball. I was in the story the whole time. The author did amazing on this section of the of the book where he starts playing baseball championships because Tetsu's attitude completely changes. This had to be my favorite part of the book to read and I give the author a round of applause for her work on this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes sports books but also likes history. They appeal to both audiences but watch out, they throw these at you like a fast ball.
The first thing the book did well in was showing emotion. I could tell how heartbroken Tetsu and his sister were about having to leave their dog, Lefty. Tetsu was also really upset throughout the story because he had to leave baseball. They eventually make a field, but he is much more upset before they do so. The author used good describing words and I felt like I could feel what Tetsu was feeling.
This brings me to my next point.
I enjoyed the book most when they ran into a problem because it was a mini adventure to solve it. For example, Tetsu's little sister ran away from their barrack in the camp and was lost in the desert. They had been looking and searching and could not find her. They eventually found her far out in the desert huddled up next to a tree close to death. This was emotional for me because she had become very ill and would be away for a while. They always had something going on and it was very chaotic. The author did a great job on making me feel the tense moments when they were looking through the desert or the exciting moments when their team won a game against one of the best Little League teams out there. This was one of the best parts of the book and it made me want it read more.
The last thing and the best thing about this book is Tetsu's love for baseball. His love for the game got him through the rough times at the camp and brought is confidence up. Once they made the team and field, he was actually having fun. This was the best part of the book because I felt like I had won that game or caught that fly ball. I was in the story the whole time. The author did amazing on this section of the of the book where he starts playing baseball championships because Tetsu's attitude completely changes. This had to be my favorite part of the book to read and I give the author a round of applause for her work on this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes sports books but also likes history. They appeal to both audiences but watch out, they throw these at you like a fast ball.
February 3, 2025
A Diamond in the Desert by award winning author Kathryn Fitzmaurice THis book is a historical fiction book written about the trials others went through during the bombing of pearl harbor.
At only 12 years old, Tetsu was sent away to a Japanese boot camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Where he's staying is not a jail but it's for sure close to that. Tetsu hated it, which you can tell from his words: “Grief lived at Gila River.” Even though he said that, Tetsu and some friends he met there decided to make the most of it and play baseball and make a baseball field/team. But along the way, a traumatic event happens with his sister. Will he choose his sister or his love for the sport but suffer the consequences and effects baseball has on their family?
My opinion of the book is that there is not a very big climax but instead, there was a meaningful moment in the book which changed baseball for him. The ending is not very dramatic but it's almost a look into the future and him looking forward to what's to come.
If you like this book, Fitzmaurice's other books are: Destiny Rewritten, and The Year the Swallows Came Early. Fitzmaurice’s awards she has won: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2010 - Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth, 2009 - Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2011-2012.
I think the best age group for this book is around Middle School so from 5th-8th because this is the time your learning more about big events like the bombing of pearl harbor so you can learn more about what it would be like if someone your age was in the situation “This book provides a striking glimpse at internment camp life and would fit well with the study of World war ll or human rights.” -Library media Connections So overall, this book is an interesting and sympathetic book for Middle School age kids striving to learn more about World War events and the trials others went through.
At only 12 years old, Tetsu was sent away to a Japanese boot camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Where he's staying is not a jail but it's for sure close to that. Tetsu hated it, which you can tell from his words: “Grief lived at Gila River.” Even though he said that, Tetsu and some friends he met there decided to make the most of it and play baseball and make a baseball field/team. But along the way, a traumatic event happens with his sister. Will he choose his sister or his love for the sport but suffer the consequences and effects baseball has on their family?
My opinion of the book is that there is not a very big climax but instead, there was a meaningful moment in the book which changed baseball for him. The ending is not very dramatic but it's almost a look into the future and him looking forward to what's to come.
If you like this book, Fitzmaurice's other books are: Destiny Rewritten, and The Year the Swallows Came Early. Fitzmaurice’s awards she has won: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2010 - Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth, 2009 - Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2011-2012.
I think the best age group for this book is around Middle School so from 5th-8th because this is the time your learning more about big events like the bombing of pearl harbor so you can learn more about what it would be like if someone your age was in the situation “This book provides a striking glimpse at internment camp life and would fit well with the study of World war ll or human rights.” -Library media Connections So overall, this book is an interesting and sympathetic book for Middle School age kids striving to learn more about World War events and the trials others went through.
October 19, 2022
A historical fiction about a 12-year-old Japanese American boy who loves baseball. His world is turned upside-down during World War II when he and his family are sent to an Arizona internment camp -- without his father who is taken north for questioning.
Struggling against injustice, his father's absence, and caring for his mother and sister, he finds a sense of normalcy when a baseball team starts up. When his sister gets sick because of his neglect, he stops playing altogether.
Based on actual events and several young men in the camp. The author does a good job writing from a unique perspective and the love of baseball in many Japanese-American communities.
Struggling against injustice, his father's absence, and caring for his mother and sister, he finds a sense of normalcy when a baseball team starts up. When his sister gets sick because of his neglect, he stops playing altogether.
Based on actual events and several young men in the camp. The author does a good job writing from a unique perspective and the love of baseball in many Japanese-American communities.
January 24, 2018
I give this book five stars because it is my two favorite genres, sports and historical fiction. It is sports because these group of boys play baseball in a camp were Japanese were held during a war. This is also historical fiction because during this time it was the 1940's and World War II was going on. Finally I recommend this book because this shows how and why America did not trust the Japanese back then because of the bombing of the Pearl Harbor. Also in this book there is drama with a boy's family and friends.
January 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this read! I loved the sense of emotional background and historical fiction mixed together. This book is about a young boy, Tesu, who just loves the game of baseball. But there is couple of roadbumps. Tesu and his mom and sister are forced to move into a old Native American Reservation because the bombing of Pearl Harbor had just happened and they were of Japanese hertitage. His father also had to be sent North to be Interigated. The reservation is so boring there is nothing to to, but play baseball.
March 24, 2021
I like the setting--Japanese internment camp after Pearl Harbor bombings--and I liked the way baseball showed up now and then. The book had a slow start--really, it was all slow-moving--and my students seemed bored for the first half, at least. They really perked up toward the end, though, when the baseball became more front and center. I felt like a lot could've been cut without harming the book, and then the author could've used that extra page space to develop the characters more. It was neat to read this while my students finished up their unit on World War II.
December 20, 2021
Okie dokie. here we go.
Now I'm one for books that speak on the topic of racism. But this book just felt off. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad or anything, but the scenes, the events, the characters, just weren't impactful. Or they weren't impactful to me. Everything was lackluster. Books like this always hit me (The Help, Flygirl, Kindred, etc) but this just wasn't anything. And the baseball part felt noff. I understand they created a whole team, but there was no meaning.
Everything from the dialogue to the scenes felt filler.
THREE STARS
Now I'm one for books that speak on the topic of racism. But this book just felt off. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad or anything, but the scenes, the events, the characters, just weren't impactful. Or they weren't impactful to me. Everything was lackluster. Books like this always hit me (The Help, Flygirl, Kindred, etc) but this just wasn't anything. And the baseball part felt noff. I understand they created a whole team, but there was no meaning.
Everything from the dialogue to the scenes felt filler.
THREE STARS
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December 16, 2021I personally thought the book was amazing with pulling in real life facts and making it sound as real as possible. The story line of Tetsu starts off sad but later helps you see that people can really be resilient. Over all the story was pretty engaging the whole time I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks they might like it or is trying to learn what it was like in the Japanese interment camp. I would rate this book 10/10.
November 15, 2018
A little sentimental, it seemed as if the characters were happy to be in the internment camps although I know that she said in her interviews that some rent without complaint. It was an interesting concept I had forgotten about the baseball team. It was touching the devotion to the sister. And it was good that it had a somewhat happy ending.
December 3, 2021
I just finished this book and it was just amazing! It was kind of sad, but otherwise, it wouldn't have been good. I'm not sure if this was based on a real story but either way, it was really sad that he had to go to a concentration camp with his mom, sister and dad. I can't believe I found this book , since I play baseball, too.
May 18, 2017
I think this book was good. It did have to do with WWII and how Japanese people living in America had to live at a camp in the desert after Pearl Harbor. This is an amazing story and shows how much baseball means to the world and the people in it.
October 16, 2017
This is a really good book. Tetsu makes the best of what he has. His father is a big part of his life but is taken away from his family. He loves baseball and is in the middle of the desert. He has a baseball glove. Because he has land he helps make a baseball field.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2018
Perfect for the boys who are assigned historical fiction, but really only want to read about sports.
See also: Arcady's Goal by Yelchin (Stalinist Russia, sports - soccer)
Weedflower by Kadohata (Japanese internment camps)
Paper Wishes by Sepahban (Japanese internment camps)
See also: Arcady's Goal by Yelchin (Stalinist Russia, sports - soccer)
Weedflower by Kadohata (Japanese internment camps)
Paper Wishes by Sepahban (Japanese internment camps)
April 19, 2018
I rated this book a 5/5 because when you start reading this book it's boring because it about what happened in WWII. But, after you reading more and more into the book you feel like your in the book and your the character in the book and what he did for fun while he was in camp.
March 18, 2019
This book was a very interesting and entertaining book. There were many key events and the book kept getting better and better which made me want to keep reading. If you also are a big sports person, this is definitely a book you should read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews