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Prisoners of the Empire #1
Under the Blood-Red Sun
Tomi was born in Hawaii. His grandfather and parents were born in Japan, and came to America to escape poverty.
World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends, who are too busy playing ball on their eighth-grade team, the Rats.
But then Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese, and the United States declares war on Japan. Japanese men are rounded up, and Tomi’s father and grandfather are arrested. It’s a terrifying time to be Japanese in America. But one thing doesn’t change: the loyalty of Tomi’s buddies, the Rats.
World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends, who are too busy playing ball on their eighth-grade team, the Rats.
But then Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese, and the United States declares war on Japan. Japanese men are rounded up, and Tomi’s father and grandfather are arrested. It’s a terrifying time to be Japanese in America. But one thing doesn’t change: the loyalty of Tomi’s buddies, the Rats.
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
132 people are currently reading
2856 people want to read
About the author
Graham Salisbury
32 books98 followersGraham Salisbury comes from a 100-year line of newspapermen, all associated with Hawaii's morning paper, the Honolulu Advertiser. Although a career as a newsman could have been possible, Salisbury chose to imagine rather than report. "I enjoy writing about characters who might have been. To me, exploring fictional themes, situations, and lives is a quietly exhilarating experience. There are times when completely unexpected happenings take place as my fingertips walk the keyboard, things that make me laugh or get all choked up or even amaze me."
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."
His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.
Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."
His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.
Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
March 9, 2022
My son is reading this for his English class, but whenever he put it down, I picked it up. And was thoroughly engrossed. Reading schedule be damned, I was completely captivated by the bravery and strength of young Tomi and his Japanese-American family and I finished the book quickly.
Their Hawaiin life wasn't easy, but it was manageable and generally good. Until Pearl Harbor is bombed. There's no denying the deplorable treatment of Japanese-Americans during this time, but Mr. Salisbury balances the bad with baseball and boys sticking together to bring hope and inspiration.
I don't know what Boy's English class has planned, but I assure you--I'll be reading more about Tomi.
Their Hawaiin life wasn't easy, but it was manageable and generally good. Until Pearl Harbor is bombed. There's no denying the deplorable treatment of Japanese-Americans during this time, but Mr. Salisbury balances the bad with baseball and boys sticking together to bring hope and inspiration.
I don't know what Boy's English class has planned, but I assure you--I'll be reading more about Tomi.
January 21, 2018
Young adult historical fiction for boys ages 10-15, even younger for mature readers. It shows life for Tomikazu, a young Japanese-American boy living In Hawaii just before and after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Tomi and his little sister, Kimi, both born in Hawaii, live with their parents, and grandfather born in Japan. Tomi has a group of friends, the Rats, from all different racial backgrounds, who love baseball. The story helps introduce young readers to life in 1942, the beginning of World War II and also what happened to some Japanese-Americans families during this time in our history. A Scott O’Dell Award Winner.
November 4, 2012
If only all students could have fiction blended with their semi-non-fiction text books. This book grew on me within pages and I found myself savoring it. Really people, when you're reading a good book and actually put it down, you feel like something is missing. Like you've left the world of THEM...the characters and setting. You find yourself wondering what's happening with them. So you grab the book and spin your eyes across the pages. For more of the good stuff! Under the Blood-Red sun takes you there! The character development and flow from chapter to chapter is absolutely stellar. I give this book a thumbs up for middle-readers and up. This book left me wanting more and I especially love the grumpy grandfather...stern and full of wisdom!
April 14, 2024
Read this one a long time ago; now I’ve re-read it and streamed the movie on Amazon. The movie was great! It followed the book plot almost perfectly (that’s a pet peeve of mine when a book and movie don’t line up well.)
The author did a wonderful job of depicting what life was like for Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii after the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941. This would be a great introduction to WW2 for middle-grade readers.
The author did a wonderful job of depicting what life was like for Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii after the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941. This would be a great introduction to WW2 for middle-grade readers.
September 14, 2023
☼ 215/ 100
This was a fantastic story that was gifted to me by an old coworker when I asked for book recommendations that made her cry. Whilst I didn't cry this was a very emotional story.
It follows Tomi, a Hawaiian-Japanese boy whose grandparents had immigrated from Japan to Hawaii to escape poverty. It takes place during World War II, when the U.S. had yet to 'join' the war and Tomi believes the war won't touch him since he's in the middle of the ocean. That all changes when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and Japanese men are taken from their families and arrested. Tomi now has to take care of his little sister and mother. Not only is this a novel about history but it also tells the story of Hawaiian locals and friendship excellently, in my opinion.
I was born and raised in Maui, Hawai'i my whole life, and one thing Graham Salisbury did fantastic was getting the lingo DOWN. I find it hard to read books that are told in a certain dialect/ accent, but I guess growing up here helped me not struggle that much in this novel.
I will say this was well-written, but I found myself bored because I think this is written for a younger male audience and I am the opposite of both of those things. I was mostly bored of this though because I didn't realize I had watched the movie for this back in high school and they did a fantastic adaptation, so the plot of this was repetitive in my brain.
I'm probably going to pass this book along since I probably won't think about this book again, but I am glad I read it.
This was a fantastic story that was gifted to me by an old coworker when I asked for book recommendations that made her cry. Whilst I didn't cry this was a very emotional story.
It follows Tomi, a Hawaiian-Japanese boy whose grandparents had immigrated from Japan to Hawaii to escape poverty. It takes place during World War II, when the U.S. had yet to 'join' the war and Tomi believes the war won't touch him since he's in the middle of the ocean. That all changes when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and Japanese men are taken from their families and arrested. Tomi now has to take care of his little sister and mother. Not only is this a novel about history but it also tells the story of Hawaiian locals and friendship excellently, in my opinion.
I was born and raised in Maui, Hawai'i my whole life, and one thing Graham Salisbury did fantastic was getting the lingo DOWN. I find it hard to read books that are told in a certain dialect/ accent, but I guess growing up here helped me not struggle that much in this novel.
I will say this was well-written, but I found myself bored because I think this is written for a younger male audience and I am the opposite of both of those things. I was mostly bored of this though because I didn't realize I had watched the movie for this back in high school and they did a fantastic adaptation, so the plot of this was repetitive in my brain.
I'm probably going to pass this book along since I probably won't think about this book again, but I am glad I read it.
September 20, 2018
"I'll never forget that look. I realised that what that lady saw wasn't just a boy and his mother....What she saw was a Japanese boy, and his Japanese mother." (131)
"You got it wrong, mister, I said. I was born here. I live here, just like you do. And I'm an American." Beat it Jap, he said. Be above it Tomi.... "American", I said again. He narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything more. I eased away the feeling...strange...very strange. Almost peaceful. Spooky, feeling peaceful when somebody hates you." (241)
Under the Blood-Red Sun tells the story of Tomikazu (Tomi) Nakaji, a young boy of Japanese decent who lives peacefully with his sister, immigrant parents, and grandfather in Honolulu in 1941. Against the backdrop of the increasingly horrific events of World War II in far off places, Tomi and his friends the Rats preoccupy themselves with school, baseball, and living the everyday life of American boys. That is until the events of Pearl Harbor take place, and Tomi witnesses the terror of that infamous day alongside having his father sent to a detention facility due to the outbreak of the war for the U.S.
The story by Graham Salisbury is written for an audience of young adults, and with that in mind it's not only a fantastic story, but a great learning opportunity in the understanding of cross-cultural relationships among different communities in a country such as the U.S., even in difficult times such as war. Tomi experiences a lot of prejudice but also a lot of support from various people in the book of all backgrounds, and it's interesting to read about such complexities that really happened some 70 -80 years ago with the Japanese internment camps and compare it to the human rights issues we face today. While shameful, what happened during WWII is a great learning opportunity, and this book helps younger readers in understanding and discussing the why's and how's of the not too distant past through the lens of a young Japanese-American boy.
"You got it wrong, mister, I said. I was born here. I live here, just like you do. And I'm an American." Beat it Jap, he said. Be above it Tomi.... "American", I said again. He narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything more. I eased away the feeling...strange...very strange. Almost peaceful. Spooky, feeling peaceful when somebody hates you." (241)
Under the Blood-Red Sun tells the story of Tomikazu (Tomi) Nakaji, a young boy of Japanese decent who lives peacefully with his sister, immigrant parents, and grandfather in Honolulu in 1941. Against the backdrop of the increasingly horrific events of World War II in far off places, Tomi and his friends the Rats preoccupy themselves with school, baseball, and living the everyday life of American boys. That is until the events of Pearl Harbor take place, and Tomi witnesses the terror of that infamous day alongside having his father sent to a detention facility due to the outbreak of the war for the U.S.
The story by Graham Salisbury is written for an audience of young adults, and with that in mind it's not only a fantastic story, but a great learning opportunity in the understanding of cross-cultural relationships among different communities in a country such as the U.S., even in difficult times such as war. Tomi experiences a lot of prejudice but also a lot of support from various people in the book of all backgrounds, and it's interesting to read about such complexities that really happened some 70 -80 years ago with the Japanese internment camps and compare it to the human rights issues we face today. While shameful, what happened during WWII is a great learning opportunity, and this book helps younger readers in understanding and discussing the why's and how's of the not too distant past through the lens of a young Japanese-American boy.
July 11, 2016
December 7th, 1941. The Empire of Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.... 2403 Americans were killed; many wounded. I've seen the movie. I've heard the stories. But I never even imagined the impact of the incident on the Japanese-American people. After the merciless bombing, many of the innocent, hardworking Japanese people hoping to find a better life in America were branded as enemy spies and dragged behind bars.
'Under The Blood-Red Sun' is the story of a young Japanese-American boy named 'Tomikazu Nakaji' and how his whole life turned upside down in the blink of an eye.
There are books that make me cry. And then there are books that make me cry every few chapters and this book is one of the latter.
This book, like most of the historical fictions concerning wars, make me feel so angry and frustrated because it's a war and I really don't know who to blame. Everyone was afraid of everyone. And scared people do really really stupid and unspeakably terrible things. The only thing I don't like about this book is the detailed baseball games which ,in my opinion, is irrelevant and unnecessary. I love the rest of the book. I feel so connected with the characters for some reason. I mourned Sanji's death with Tomi and Billy. I got scared as PaPa got arrested. I was touched by Billy's act of kindness towards Sanji's little daughter. I love Ojii-san as much as I hate him. I felt the fear and uncertainty of the Nakaji family as the Americans turned against them. This book is beautiful, gripping, heartbreaking and has a lot of truth in it.
'Under The Blood-Red Sun' is the story of a young Japanese-American boy named 'Tomikazu Nakaji' and how his whole life turned upside down in the blink of an eye.
There are books that make me cry. And then there are books that make me cry every few chapters and this book is one of the latter.
This book, like most of the historical fictions concerning wars, make me feel so angry and frustrated because it's a war and I really don't know who to blame. Everyone was afraid of everyone. And scared people do really really stupid and unspeakably terrible things. The only thing I don't like about this book is the detailed baseball games which ,in my opinion, is irrelevant and unnecessary. I love the rest of the book. I feel so connected with the characters for some reason. I mourned Sanji's death with Tomi and Billy. I got scared as PaPa got arrested. I was touched by Billy's act of kindness towards Sanji's little daughter. I love Ojii-san as much as I hate him. I felt the fear and uncertainty of the Nakaji family as the Americans turned against them. This book is beautiful, gripping, heartbreaking and has a lot of truth in it.
December 12, 2018
Under the Blood-Red Sun is a good story - and I imagine it might be particularly engaging for young boys who relate to other baseball-obsessed teenagers.
I came away slightly disappointed because of my own expectations. I was looking forward to a story centered around Pearl Harbor and how it disrupted the lives of people on the island. You don't really get to the heart of the story until about the half-way point. While the beginning does do a nice job introducing characters and setting the scene for what's to come, it's very slow in a lot of places.
Salisbury does do a nice job of presenting the class differences and overall social structure of the times. The characters are likable - if not a bit cliche at times.
Usually, I love historical fiction, but this one just didn't do it for me.
I came away slightly disappointed because of my own expectations. I was looking forward to a story centered around Pearl Harbor and how it disrupted the lives of people on the island. You don't really get to the heart of the story until about the half-way point. While the beginning does do a nice job introducing characters and setting the scene for what's to come, it's very slow in a lot of places.
Salisbury does do a nice job of presenting the class differences and overall social structure of the times. The characters are likable - if not a bit cliche at times.
Usually, I love historical fiction, but this one just didn't do it for me.
February 18, 2020
I read this book during our reading book clubs and when I read it, it broadened my mind about WWII. I did know a lot about the Nazis' and what happened during that time but I didn't know much about the Japanese and Pearl Harbor. I also connected with the main character (Tomi) and how it is like to live in his shoes. Lastly, I learned so much more about how life was like on the island and how much extreme racism there was for the Japanese. I didn't even know that they were put into concentration camps!
August 30, 2012
I'm planning on making a list of historical novels about WWII for my seventh graders to choose from. Although Under the Blood-Red Sun isn't page-turning exciting, but it is very well written and entertaining. The novel offers an important point of view of WWII, that of a Japanese-American boy, Tomi, living in Hawaii during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
I loved the interactions between the characters. Salisbury gets not only island dialect dead on, but he is also able to capture the sense of humor and competitiveness of the different cultures in Oahu as well. Salisbury did an excellent job of portraying all the various pulls and conflicts in Tomi's heart. I loved all the baseball parts and I think a lot of boys would too. This book will definitely be on my list.
I loved the interactions between the characters. Salisbury gets not only island dialect dead on, but he is also able to capture the sense of humor and competitiveness of the different cultures in Oahu as well. Salisbury did an excellent job of portraying all the various pulls and conflicts in Tomi's heart. I loved all the baseball parts and I think a lot of boys would too. This book will definitely be on my list.
March 3, 2022
I give this book three stars because it is a very entertaining story. But on the other hand, it has quite a long intro. What I love about this book is living through a huge event in American history. During the attack, the main character, Tomi, was playing baseball. Baseball plays a big role in this story because I think it is something that distracts Tomi from what is happening in his life. I especially love that the family stuck together through all the hardships faced after the Pearl Harbor attack.
What I do not like about the book is the long beginning. It takes a while to get started and when it does it is very entertaining. I don't like the treatment of the Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. How they arrested them for no probable cause and sent them away to internment camps. I especially don't like Keet Wilson and how he thinks he can do whatever he pleases. Keet's attitude towards everyone is unacceptable but he always gets away with it due to his status. Overall I think this book is good for people who like history. It goes through an event that didn't happen too long ago and the effect it had on the Japanese population living in America.
What I do not like about the book is the long beginning. It takes a while to get started and when it does it is very entertaining. I don't like the treatment of the Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. How they arrested them for no probable cause and sent them away to internment camps. I especially don't like Keet Wilson and how he thinks he can do whatever he pleases. Keet's attitude towards everyone is unacceptable but he always gets away with it due to his status. Overall I think this book is good for people who like history. It goes through an event that didn't happen too long ago and the effect it had on the Japanese population living in America.
November 7, 2017
Under the blood red sun is a true story by Grahm Salisbury. The book is about a 12-year-old boy named Tomi. Tomiś family is very poor. Tomi is Japanese and his grandfather has a Japanese flag that he hangs outside to represent Japan. But later in the book, there is an attack planned by the Japanese. They bomb pearl harbor. Soon after the bombing the U.s government takes all Japanese locals and puts them in a training camp. Tomi's dad a fisherman is taken to the camps. Tomi has a plan to swim the camps and save his father. If you want to find out more read the book and you will be satisfied.
By Ryan Haugner
By Ryan Haugner
August 25, 2017
Begin typing book review here...Under the blood-red by Graham Salisbury is a historical fiction book about a Japanese family who lives on their neighbor's property in Hawaii. The Japanese bomb pearl harbor and their whole world is changed. This is a great way to see a window back in time to see how the Japanese lived and how they were treated during these times. Throughout the book you see Tommy (the main character) learn how to be the leader of his family while managing to stick up for himself against his neighbor Keet Wilson. You see this in the last chapter of the book. Keet sees Tommy cleaning Tommy's family katana in the woods. Keet starts firing his air soft gun at Tommy and his katana. When Keet runs out of ammunition Tommy gives Keet a warning about how he is going to get what he deserves. This shows how Tommy not afraid anymore and he can fight for his family.
August 12, 2019
We read this as a family and it took a lot longer than I had hoped. It’s amazing how difficult it is to get all of us to sit down together at the same time. I love this book because it opened up discussion about American history as well as how we should treat other people!
March 4, 2024
A book about a Japanese-American family living in Hawaii during the war when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbour, and they way they cope and are treated, especially the son who sees changes in people he knows.
June 4, 2022
i did nottt like this at alllll!!! but the ending was a bit interesting but other than that didn’t like it. very slow so it felt like i wasn’t making any progress and it felt like a chore to read it.
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January 10, 2018I really liked it!
October 6, 2018
Solid 5. Great book of the targeted age group – middle/junior high school. The narration by Greg Wantanabe truly made this book come alive.
May 5, 2022
Maybe 2.5 I’m not sure. This book was written for a younger audience which made it boring and irritating to read. I also had to read it for school which should be enough explanation for my rating.
April 10, 2020
This. Book. I made the mistake of reading it at the beach in Hawaii - which sounds like a great idea... at first. The book doesn't cover that much time, but the themes of racial tension and the negative outcomes that come from misplaced judgement.
When I was walking home from the beach I was really unsettled and reading a chapter from the book... literally ran into my friend.
When I was walking home from the beach I was really unsettled and reading a chapter from the book... literally ran into my friend.
February 11, 2017
This book is about a time when the United States responded to a terrorist threat by persecuting innocent people.
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February 4, 2018Under the blood Red Sun, by Graham Salisbury, is a very interesting but sad book. This book really taught me the history behind the attack on Pearl Harbor, in a Japanese-Americans personal view. The main character, Tomi, is a Japanese-American kid. His mother, father, and grandfather all immigrated from Japan, looking for a better life.
On December 7, the U.S. declared war against Japan. Tomi and his friend Billy watched as Pearl Harbor was bombed. Japanese Americans at the time were closely watched, as people thought they might be signaling the Japanese who were bombing Hawaii.
Tomi experiences some challenges throughout this story, but overcomes them, because they don’t hold him back. For example, American army men came to their house, and asked to see Tomi racing pigeons which belonged to his father, Papa. These men, thought that the birds were messenger birds, and that they were signaling to the Japanese. Tomi was forced to kill them. All of this was going on while Papa was in jail, arrested earlier when he came back from fishing.
The theme of this book, is to stay strong, and never give up. Tomi shows strength when his neighbor Keet Wilson, tries to intimidate him and threaten him with his mother’s job, and their house, because the Wilson’s own it. I would recommend this book to any classmate who has yet to learn about this part of the United States History!
On December 7, the U.S. declared war against Japan. Tomi and his friend Billy watched as Pearl Harbor was bombed. Japanese Americans at the time were closely watched, as people thought they might be signaling the Japanese who were bombing Hawaii.
Tomi experiences some challenges throughout this story, but overcomes them, because they don’t hold him back. For example, American army men came to their house, and asked to see Tomi racing pigeons which belonged to his father, Papa. These men, thought that the birds were messenger birds, and that they were signaling to the Japanese. Tomi was forced to kill them. All of this was going on while Papa was in jail, arrested earlier when he came back from fishing.
The theme of this book, is to stay strong, and never give up. Tomi shows strength when his neighbor Keet Wilson, tries to intimidate him and threaten him with his mother’s job, and their house, because the Wilson’s own it. I would recommend this book to any classmate who has yet to learn about this part of the United States History!
July 21, 2014
Something about this book has always intrigued me. After I read it, I knew why. This book has every element my middle school kids look for in a book. Baseball, gangs, bullies, strained family relationships, puppies, and misunderstood adolescents are the markers that will make the book familiar. I can feel my Mississippi kids balking at unfamiliarity related to setting and culture, so they will be glad to have those ideas and experiences to make the story more accessible. The deeper shocking and traumatic personal and family issues are what will make it disturbingly memorable. It is the middle school equivalent of Snow Falling on Cedars (which you should read if you missed it- the movie doesn't count).
I've only ever taught middle school, so I don't know if this is unique to this age group; but these kids thrive on grappling with concepts of fairness, social injustice, and political responsibility. Those aren't the words they choose; those are the ideas that move them. I know this from their comments : "That's not fair." and "They can't do that." And how those comments shift to questions: "How can they do that?" and "How can they stand it?" I know for many of them that they are on the doorstep of "How did they stop it?" and "How do we keep it from happening again?" And perhaps what I wish for everyone of them: "What do I need to do?"
I know it from their research on voter disenfranchisement, civil rights, and government shut downs. I know it from the way they word their public service announcements and the ways they demonstrate that they want to save the world from death and sadness. But more than anything, I learn it from the titles and authors they choose to read. From Things Not Seen to Stargirl, The Outsiders to Tears of a Tiger. From their love for Sharon Draper's and Laurie Halse Anderson's stories. From Hunger Games and Divergent series. From Milkweed, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Prisoner B - 3087, Between Shades of Gray, Berlin Boxing Club, and Night.
Under the Blood-Red Sun is straightforward. There is no complicated narrative structure or alternating point of view, but it delivers the back story the reader needs and plenty of perspective. 5th grade up would relate to this book. My tendency is to let kids be kids, so even though the reading is easy enough, the content is harsh for 4th and below. I would use this book as a lit circle, book buddy, extra credit, or ladder. Few students select it as free choice independent reading, It's been on my shelf for several years, rarely touched and never finished. I bought multiple copies this summer. I want my kids to meet Tomi. I hope his story helps them ask more questions, even if they don't know the answers.
I've only ever taught middle school, so I don't know if this is unique to this age group; but these kids thrive on grappling with concepts of fairness, social injustice, and political responsibility. Those aren't the words they choose; those are the ideas that move them. I know this from their comments : "That's not fair." and "They can't do that." And how those comments shift to questions: "How can they do that?" and "How can they stand it?" I know for many of them that they are on the doorstep of "How did they stop it?" and "How do we keep it from happening again?" And perhaps what I wish for everyone of them: "What do I need to do?"
I know it from their research on voter disenfranchisement, civil rights, and government shut downs. I know it from the way they word their public service announcements and the ways they demonstrate that they want to save the world from death and sadness. But more than anything, I learn it from the titles and authors they choose to read. From Things Not Seen to Stargirl, The Outsiders to Tears of a Tiger. From their love for Sharon Draper's and Laurie Halse Anderson's stories. From Hunger Games and Divergent series. From Milkweed, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Prisoner B - 3087, Between Shades of Gray, Berlin Boxing Club, and Night.
Under the Blood-Red Sun is straightforward. There is no complicated narrative structure or alternating point of view, but it delivers the back story the reader needs and plenty of perspective. 5th grade up would relate to this book. My tendency is to let kids be kids, so even though the reading is easy enough, the content is harsh for 4th and below. I would use this book as a lit circle, book buddy, extra credit, or ladder. Few students select it as free choice independent reading, It's been on my shelf for several years, rarely touched and never finished. I bought multiple copies this summer. I want my kids to meet Tomi. I hope his story helps them ask more questions, even if they don't know the answers.
December 12, 2023
The book Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury is a book which details the events that happened during and weeks to come from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Reading this book, I believe it receives 3 stars for its plot, action, and characters. The plot of the book was relevant to the real life events that happened during 1941, and doesn’t leave out any important bits. Things like segregation and racism are all topics that were common during the time and Salisbury adds them to benefit the story. This drives what the main character thinks about his life on the island, before and after the attack. Nothing non-historical is added to keep with the theme and plot as well. This book was written for its action. The attacks of Pearl Harbor were some of the most gruesome and horrid attacks to the United States, so being in the midst of it means action isn't uncommon. It isn't just thrown in your face as well, Salisbury adds it in key turning point moments, to convey a sense of importance into certain topics. Lastly, the characters. The characters are somewhat plentiful and had to keep track of at points. For example, the main character and his friends have a local baseball team, which consists of so many unimportant characters to the book, and when he tries to narrate a baseball game, everything gets confused fast. Reading the book How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster also brings out points in the book, such as violence in literature, never standing next to the main character and symbolism in literature. An example of these in action is “It was amber. All the planes we amber. A rush of fear swept over me. Amber. Amber, with a blood-red sun on the fuselage and under the wings… blood-red sun… the symbol of Japan'' (Salisbury 107). This shows impeccable symbolism between the main characters' heritage, but also as a physical symbol. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history but wants a kick of action mixed in to even the two out. Anyone who understands what happened at pearl harbor and its effects should be able to read this book with good comprehension of it.
March 14, 2019
I chose this book by random, to be quite honest. I had this book due to complete circumstance from Half-Priced Books, and when I was rummaging through my own library I found it. Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Under the Blood Red Sun engages readers in a story of what it was like to grow up as a Japanese American during the time of World War II and Pearl Harbor.
**Spoilers Ahead**
Tomi and his family are Japanese immigrants. Tomi is first-generation American, but after the family had moved Tomi's grampa had moved to Hawaii to live with them. Tomi goes to school with local Hawaiians and one mainlander, or what he is commonly referred to as a hoale. One day, as Tomi and his friend Billy are playing Baseball, the bombing of Pearl Harbor begins. The island goes into a panic, and many people lose trust in their Japanese friends. This includes Tomi, his family, and his fisherman father. In fact, Tomi's father is taken into custody after his boat is intercepted at the harbor once it is discovered that he doesn't fly an American flag on his ship. Tomi and his family must now be careful in regards to how they act. The steps they take include hiding artifacts that represent their Japanese ancestry.
I believe that this book shows what it was like to grow up Japanese in a time when it was a stigma in society. Not many Americans trusted Tomi or his family, and there are challenges they must face as result of this circumstance. I think that this book is great for middle school students who are studying World War II as part of their Social Studies curriculum. Additionally, this book highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships for social emotional learning.
**Spoilers Ahead**
Tomi and his family are Japanese immigrants. Tomi is first-generation American, but after the family had moved Tomi's grampa had moved to Hawaii to live with them. Tomi goes to school with local Hawaiians and one mainlander, or what he is commonly referred to as a hoale. One day, as Tomi and his friend Billy are playing Baseball, the bombing of Pearl Harbor begins. The island goes into a panic, and many people lose trust in their Japanese friends. This includes Tomi, his family, and his fisherman father. In fact, Tomi's father is taken into custody after his boat is intercepted at the harbor once it is discovered that he doesn't fly an American flag on his ship. Tomi and his family must now be careful in regards to how they act. The steps they take include hiding artifacts that represent their Japanese ancestry.
I believe that this book shows what it was like to grow up Japanese in a time when it was a stigma in society. Not many Americans trusted Tomi or his family, and there are challenges they must face as result of this circumstance. I think that this book is great for middle school students who are studying World War II as part of their Social Studies curriculum. Additionally, this book highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships for social emotional learning.
May 4, 2017
Tomi, a Japanese boy who lives in Hawaii with his Mom, Dad, Sister, and Grandpa. They try to not do anything that will make people not like them, but there is a boy named Keet who has a problem with Tomi and his friend billy. Tomi plays on a baseball team with his friends, they made the team. Other kids have made their own teams too. They like to play against each other. One day planes started flying over head one day, and they are Japanese planes. people around him already didn't trust him and his family. Even though his grandpa feels shame for Japans attack his dad and Grandpa get taken to jail. His mom looses her job too. This was the beginning of all the Japanese people going to those camps.
Imagery-"His long sleeved khaki shirt, buttoned to the neck, and his wrinkled khaki pants made him look like he was one of the pearl harbor navy officers."
"A bundle of letters tied together with a red ribbon."
" White cushioned lawn chairs."
This book was a good book, but it wasn't really my favorite genre. War and conflict is not my favorite, But if it was I am sure that I would really like it. It was a longer book but it's still good so if i were you I would read the book. It had great detail and I loved that it had a sport in it. So read this book its great and will open your eyes to what Japanese people went through!
Imagery-"His long sleeved khaki shirt, buttoned to the neck, and his wrinkled khaki pants made him look like he was one of the pearl harbor navy officers."
"A bundle of letters tied together with a red ribbon."
" White cushioned lawn chairs."
This book was a good book, but it wasn't really my favorite genre. War and conflict is not my favorite, But if it was I am sure that I would really like it. It was a longer book but it's still good so if i were you I would read the book. It had great detail and I loved that it had a sport in it. So read this book its great and will open your eyes to what Japanese people went through!
May 24, 2014
Tomi’s grandfather can be a problem, waving his giant Japanese flag and rambling in Japanese when all of Hawaii is on alert and on edge because of the threat of war. But Grampa can be cool too. At least he has the gumption to say what he really thinks, something Tomi is dying to be able to do with his jerk of a next door neighbor.
But Tomi knows he can’t. He knows his parents’ warnings about the war are real, that drawing attention to his family and their Japanese heritage isn’t safe right now.
What he doesn’t know is exactly where the danger may come from.
Under the Blood-Red Sun is a modern-day classic. The book is intermediate historical fiction dealing with the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath for Americans of Japanese descent living in Hawaii during the attack--a setting and perspective I appreciated. The heart of the story focuses on Tomi’s relationships with friends and family, though I have to admit my favorite scenes centered on baseball and a new batch of puppies!
But Tomi knows he can’t. He knows his parents’ warnings about the war are real, that drawing attention to his family and their Japanese heritage isn’t safe right now.
What he doesn’t know is exactly where the danger may come from.
Under the Blood-Red Sun is a modern-day classic. The book is intermediate historical fiction dealing with the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath for Americans of Japanese descent living in Hawaii during the attack--a setting and perspective I appreciated. The heart of the story focuses on Tomi’s relationships with friends and family, though I have to admit my favorite scenes centered on baseball and a new batch of puppies!
October 27, 2014
A perfect almost teen boy book, also enjoyed by dad. This is a perfect mix of sports and young male bravado with some important messages and themes thrown in. Some of the antagonists were fairly one dimensional and too true to the stereotype but it is a great story filled with love for family, horrible things wars bring and great friendships. Americas past actions are far from perfect and the internment of japanese-americans was one of the darker parts, this novel tries to show both sides good and bad without making too many strong judgements (until the afterword). My son is a reluctant reader, not only did he read this with his class willingly, he suggested we listen to it on a long vacation road trip. Recommended for any boys (or girls) 9-15
September 6, 2010
This story is set in Hawaii in 1941 and 1942, and we get to experience the Pearl Harbor attack from an interesting perspective--a Japanese-American boy who lives in Hawaii with his parents, younger sister and immigrant grandfather. Luke, who has an avid interest in WWII, and I listened to it together, and it kept him engaged the whole time. I think it was great for him to learn about the prejudice and hardship endured by Japanese-Americans during this time period through the eyes of a young boy his age. Powerful and thought-provoking for tween readers.
March 14, 2009
Under the Blood Red Sun was a simple story about a boy named Tomi living in Hawaii before, during , and after World War 2. Tomi plays baseball with his friends and sees many changes in the island because of the Japanese bombers and the attacks caused tension growing between Japan and America. First, his grandfather waves a japanese flag during the Pearl Harbor attack, next his father is injured and is incarcerated, and his grandfather is arrested by the FBI.
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