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Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction: An Anthology of Japan Teen Stories
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This aptly named fiction anthology—tomo means “friend” in Japanese—is a true labor of friendship to benefit teens in Japan whose lives were upended by the violent earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. Authors from Japan and around the world have contributed works of fiction set in or related to Japan. Young adult English-language readers will be able to connect with th
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Though this anthology is marketed for teens, I enjoyed it as well, from the stories that reminded me of my recent trip to Japan to the ones that showed me something new. The stories are varied and well-written. There are even some translations to stories originally written in Japanese.
I recognized the names of a few authors (Katrina Toshiko Grigg-Saito, for one, who also has a piece in The Chalk Circle: Intercultural Prizewinning Essays) or at least the names of their more famous works (in the ...more
I recognized the names of a few authors (Katrina Toshiko Grigg-Saito, for one, who also has a piece in The Chalk Circle: Intercultural Prizewinning Essays) or at least the names of their more famous works (in the ...more
Meant for teens and about teens, but I liked these stories, too. There is something for everyone: a Tohoku earthquake survival story, a WWII internment camp baseball lesson, the toaster of death, a dream come true, bullies, a new love, an annoying "chanto shita" girl. Almost all stories are set in Japan and flavored with Japanese words and phrases. There are a few translated legends that Western ears may find awkward, but the stories of Japanese "yokai" spirits are fun.
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Editor Holly Thompson and Stone Bridge Press pulled this collection of mostly original stories and translations together in less than a year, in time for the anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, but there is nothing slapdash about it. This is a book that will endure.
Thirty-six writers (plus 10 translators) contributed a dazzling variety of stories featuring ninja, scientists, baseball players, yokai (spirits), pop stars, Little-Bo-Beep-look-alike Harajuku girls, and ordinary kids ...more
Thirty-six writers (plus 10 translators) contributed a dazzling variety of stories featuring ninja, scientists, baseball players, yokai (spirits), pop stars, Little-Bo-Beep-look-alike Harajuku girls, and ordinary kids ...more
One of the best anthologies I've read in years. This is a fascinating mix of authors -- emerging and established, Japanese and American, novelists and graphic novelists/artists. It offers many perspectives on Japan, from the realistic to the magical, that teens and adults will enjoy. A percentage of proceeds from the book benefit teens affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Wonderful introduction by editor (and novelist) Holly Thompson is an added bonus. This collection is one to keep on a
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I won this book through Goodreads and was not disappointed. What a wonderful book which supports such an excellent cause. A great mix of stories from all walks of life without being too heavy. A book you can put down and come back to at a later time without any difficulty. Fab!
Buku ini merupakan kumpulan cerpen remaja, yang dibuat dalam rangka membantu korban bencana nuklir Fukushima di Jepang pada 2011. Kontributornya berasal dari berbagai negara yang punya hubungan tertentu dengan Jepang, entahkah memang warga asli Jepang, keturunan Jepang, pernah tinggal di Jepang, ataupun menetap di Jepang. Kebanyakan berasal dari Amerika Serikat; ada juga yang dari Kanada, Selandia Baru, Barbados, sampai Filipina. (Sayangnya, tidak ada yang dari Indonesia :-/) Yang ditulis oleh o
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There are standouts stories here, that I am still thinking about. A great collection that should be in secondary school libraries.
Tomo is a charity anthology (in the wake of the recent tsunami) that brings together a wide range of voices writing about young people related to Japan in some way. Japanese, ex-pat, male, female, young, old, professional and amateur; the authors of this anthology represent a varied array of experiences with disasters, youth, and Japan.
Holly Thompson, whom I know from the fabulous children's book, "Wakame Gatherers" (which never fails to make me cry when I read it) edited the anthology.
It's well ...more
Holly Thompson, whom I know from the fabulous children's book, "Wakame Gatherers" (which never fails to make me cry when I read it) edited the anthology.
It's well ...more
I picked up this book because I thought it was an anthology about March 11, 2011 (earthquake and tsunami) written by foreign authors who had some stakes in Japan. But most of the stories were nothing to do with it, and there were quite a few about the WWII concentration camp and Pearl Harbour. It's not that I don't want to admit that Japan has done some wrong too, but it wasn't enjoyable reading the word "jap" over and over. Plus I think it's a book meant for Non-Japanese people to get a better
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An interesting set of short stories, poems (I skimmed these) and amateur comics along with a smattering of translated older works. While billed as a teen collection, they are mature enough to be enjoyed by anyone. I really liked some of the ghostly monster stories, many others are quite well done, especially considering most of the writers are new to print.
I've read a few stories, and so far I love it. I gave a copy to
a teacher to give to his family. His wife's sister lives in and was affected by the earthquake in Japan. Their daughter has read several stories, and her teacher has asked her to pick a couple of her favorites and class will read them. It is gread for middle school through adults. Check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZyDrA...
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a teacher to give to his family. His wife's sister lives in and was affected by the earthquake in Japan. Their daughter has read several stories, and her teacher has asked her to pick a couple of her favorites and class will read them. It is gread for middle school through adults. Check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZyDrA...
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I enjoyed this anthology very much. Written after the March 11, 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami it combines stories all tied in some way to Japan. Some dealt with the tragedy, others with WWII. The struggles of Japanese-Americans both in Japan and in the U.S. were explored in several stories. Ghosts, graphic stories, poetry--it's all here. A taste of Japanese flavor. I really want to visit Harajuku Station!
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Having been to Japan recently, I loved reading all the references to the place I so enjoyed visiting. The essence of Japanese culture came through in the stories so strongly that it was hard to believe these stories were written by teens. Several of the stories will stay with me long after I have put this book down.
Interesting collection of short stories, all connected to Japan, both by Japanese authors (in translation) and ex-pats living in Japan. All proceeds from this book go to earthquake/tsunami relief efforts as well, which was inspiring to see.
Okay, I literally don’t care about finishing this book. I feel really bad about it but there are way too many other books I want to read and I feel like I’m just wasting my time reading this. Some of the stories were entertaining, some not. You can expect a full review from me soon!
This collection of short stories and poems written and published to raise funds to benefit those affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan is wonderful! There is something for everyone in this book - ghost stories, romance, family stories, self-reflective journeys and more.
Nov 01, 2014
Rosanne
added it
This is a collection of stories, most about the Sendai Earthquake in 2011, all about the Japanese or Japanese-American experience, many are works in translation.
reserved! I can't wait to read it.
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can't wait to read it!!!!
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nice book not outstanding but a nice book
I like this but there are just too many stories and not enough hooks. It sadly lost my interest...
Meh
Mar 06, 2012
Menardo V.Pineda
marked it as to-read
a AWESOME Book about Friendship!
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Holly Thompson (www.hatbooks.com) is a longtime resident of Japan originally from Massachusetts. A graduate of the NYU Creative Writing Program, she writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction for children through adults. She is author of the verse novels Falling into the Dragon's Mouth, The Language Inside, and Orchards; the picture books One Wave at a Time, Twilight Chant and The Wakame Gatherers and
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