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Cherry Blossom #1
When the Cherry Blossoms Fell
Short-listed for the 2012 Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award and for the 2011 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award
Nine-year-old Michiko Minagawa bids her father good-bye before her birthday celebration. She doesn’t know the government has ordered all Japanese-born men out of the province. Ten days later, her family joins hundreds of Japanese-Canadians on a train to the interior of British Columbia. Even though her aunt Sadie jokes about it, they have truly reached the "Land of No". There are no paved roads, no streetlights and not streetcars. The house in which they are to live is dirty and drafty. At school Michiko learns the truth of her situation. She must face local prejudice, the worst winter in forty years and her first Christmas without her father.
Nine-year-old Michiko Minagawa bids her father good-bye before her birthday celebration. She doesn’t know the government has ordered all Japanese-born men out of the province. Ten days later, her family joins hundreds of Japanese-Canadians on a train to the interior of British Columbia. Even though her aunt Sadie jokes about it, they have truly reached the "Land of No". There are no paved roads, no streetlights and not streetcars. The house in which they are to live is dirty and drafty. At school Michiko learns the truth of her situation. She must face local prejudice, the worst winter in forty years and her first Christmas without her father.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 10, 2016
Literary Awards - Hackmatack Award Nominee (2011), Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award Nominee (2012)
Search words - WWII, Pearl Harbor, Japanese Internment Camp, Japanese, Prison Camp, British Columbia
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Language - English
Setting:
Location - British Columbia
Time Period - 1940s, WWII
Review
Nine-year old Michiko, a Japanese Canadian girl cannot understand why her family is going on such an unpleasant vacation. All she wants is to go home and for her life to go back to normal. First her father goes to work in the mountains, then together with her remaining family members they move to a farmhouse in the middle of no where, leaving their beautiful home in the city behind.
Through Michiko’s innocent eyes the story of the Japanese internment unfolds. Gradually she sees the racism and mistreatment of her family and she eventually learns that she can never go back to her life from before.
This is a nice introduction to the subject for the very young, however the true unpleasantness of the situation is not fully explained. The family followed in this story leave the city voluntarily prior to the forced relocations. They sell all their belongings, withdraw their money from the bank and hide their pooled money inside a quilt that they take with them. They moved into an old farmhouse with an orchard and were able to provide for themselves. The book ends with Michiko’s father coming home and several of the adults in the family getting local jobs and them moving into a charming apartment with most of the comforts of home.
Most families experienced a much more difficult transition and lost everything. Their belongings and homes were taken by the government. They were only allowed to withdraw a specific amount of money from their accounts and they were moved into heatless shacks. Although these struggling families are briefly mentioned, they receive little focus. This is not unacceptable due to the young target audience, but it may leave a misconception about the situation and may not paint the full picture of the incredible prejudice and injustice these Canadian citizens faced.
At times the story feels a little disjointed and it can be difficult to keep track of the many characters. The editor has failed to catch incorrect Japanese word usage. Bonsai (an ornamental tree or shrub) is used when the desired word was banzai (a Japanese battle cry). There may be more such instances, but we do not speak Japanese and are therefor unable to make a thorough and accurate assessment of this issue.
Teacher Application
This book could be used to introduce young children to the Japanese Internment camps of WWII. It is important that students learn about the injustices committed on our own shores so that together all Canadians can ensure these things can never be repeated.
For Further Information on the Japanese Internment
http://centre.nikkeiplace.org/wp-cont...
Field Trip Opportunity - Nikkei Internment Memorial Center
http://westkootenayparks.com/activiti...
Parental Warning
N/A
Search words - WWII, Pearl Harbor, Japanese Internment Camp, Japanese, Prison Camp, British Columbia
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Language - English
Setting:
Location - British Columbia
Time Period - 1940s, WWII
Review
Nine-year old Michiko, a Japanese Canadian girl cannot understand why her family is going on such an unpleasant vacation. All she wants is to go home and for her life to go back to normal. First her father goes to work in the mountains, then together with her remaining family members they move to a farmhouse in the middle of no where, leaving their beautiful home in the city behind.
Through Michiko’s innocent eyes the story of the Japanese internment unfolds. Gradually she sees the racism and mistreatment of her family and she eventually learns that she can never go back to her life from before.
This is a nice introduction to the subject for the very young, however the true unpleasantness of the situation is not fully explained. The family followed in this story leave the city voluntarily prior to the forced relocations. They sell all their belongings, withdraw their money from the bank and hide their pooled money inside a quilt that they take with them. They moved into an old farmhouse with an orchard and were able to provide for themselves. The book ends with Michiko’s father coming home and several of the adults in the family getting local jobs and them moving into a charming apartment with most of the comforts of home.
Most families experienced a much more difficult transition and lost everything. Their belongings and homes were taken by the government. They were only allowed to withdraw a specific amount of money from their accounts and they were moved into heatless shacks. Although these struggling families are briefly mentioned, they receive little focus. This is not unacceptable due to the young target audience, but it may leave a misconception about the situation and may not paint the full picture of the incredible prejudice and injustice these Canadian citizens faced.
At times the story feels a little disjointed and it can be difficult to keep track of the many characters. The editor has failed to catch incorrect Japanese word usage. Bonsai (an ornamental tree or shrub) is used when the desired word was banzai (a Japanese battle cry). There may be more such instances, but we do not speak Japanese and are therefor unable to make a thorough and accurate assessment of this issue.
Teacher Application
This book could be used to introduce young children to the Japanese Internment camps of WWII. It is important that students learn about the injustices committed on our own shores so that together all Canadians can ensure these things can never be repeated.
For Further Information on the Japanese Internment
http://centre.nikkeiplace.org/wp-cont...
Field Trip Opportunity - Nikkei Internment Memorial Center
http://westkootenayparks.com/activiti...
Parental Warning
N/A
April 17, 2011
This is on the 2012 Battle of the Books list.
Japanese Internment during World War II is a subject that has really been brought out into the open in literature recently. This book takes the story of 9 year old Michiko, whose parents do not tell her why her dad is sent away or why her family is relocating from their Vancouver home.
I found it interesting that this book was set in Canada. Although I knew about Washington's relocation programs, I had been unaware that British Columbia also used racism as a political program. I feel, however, that this subject has been better covered in other books in children's literature, notably "Thin Wood Walls" by David Patneaude.
Japanese Internment during World War II is a subject that has really been brought out into the open in literature recently. This book takes the story of 9 year old Michiko, whose parents do not tell her why her dad is sent away or why her family is relocating from their Vancouver home.
I found it interesting that this book was set in Canada. Although I knew about Washington's relocation programs, I had been unaware that British Columbia also used racism as a political program. I feel, however, that this subject has been better covered in other books in children's literature, notably "Thin Wood Walls" by David Patneaude.
June 10, 2011
This book would be great for the classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and learned a lot from the main character. I was so happy when
Michiko stood up against the bully in the end.
Michiko stood up against the bully in the end.
April 17, 2023
I didn't know that Canada also had Japanese internment during world war 2
March 31, 2025
Simple read but about a Canadian internment camp
Read
February 7, 2012Reviewed by Sandra O’Brien
It’s March 1942 and Michiko Minagawa is about to turn nine. Her father, who has never missed her birthday, is late coming home. Then her mother receives a phone call telling her that Michiko’s father has been put in jail. When he returns home, he tells his family that all Japanese men have been ordered out of Vancouver and he is being sent to work in the mountains. Shortly thereafter Michiko and the rest of her family join hundreds of other Japanese-Canadians as they are forced by the government to move to the interior of British Columbia. Life in the interior is harsh for the Minagawa family. They have had to leave most of their possessions behind and their living conditions are far from easy. The family is befriended by Mrs. Morrison who helps Michiko enroll in school in the nearby town. But Michiko quickly learns that not all people are kind and faces prejudice in her new school setting. Confused and afraid, she becomes friends with Clarence who helps her find her voice to stand up to the town bully, George. The story ends as Michiko’s family is reunited and they begin to rebuild their lives. In When the Cherry Blossoms Fell, Jennifer Maruno tells an endearing story about the relocation experience of one
Japanese-Canadian family and how a little girl finds the courage to fight the prejudice with which she is faced. Maruno’s first few introductory chapters could be more concise, but as the story progresses it flows more smoothly. The Japanese vocabulary may be a slight distraction for less
proficient readers as they flip back and forth to the glossary to gain meaning, but also provides an opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture. All in all, an enjoyable read!
Canadian Children's Book News (Fall 2009, Vol. 32, No. 4)
It’s March 1942 and Michiko Minagawa is about to turn nine. Her father, who has never missed her birthday, is late coming home. Then her mother receives a phone call telling her that Michiko’s father has been put in jail. When he returns home, he tells his family that all Japanese men have been ordered out of Vancouver and he is being sent to work in the mountains. Shortly thereafter Michiko and the rest of her family join hundreds of other Japanese-Canadians as they are forced by the government to move to the interior of British Columbia. Life in the interior is harsh for the Minagawa family. They have had to leave most of their possessions behind and their living conditions are far from easy. The family is befriended by Mrs. Morrison who helps Michiko enroll in school in the nearby town. But Michiko quickly learns that not all people are kind and faces prejudice in her new school setting. Confused and afraid, she becomes friends with Clarence who helps her find her voice to stand up to the town bully, George. The story ends as Michiko’s family is reunited and they begin to rebuild their lives. In When the Cherry Blossoms Fell, Jennifer Maruno tells an endearing story about the relocation experience of one
Japanese-Canadian family and how a little girl finds the courage to fight the prejudice with which she is faced. Maruno’s first few introductory chapters could be more concise, but as the story progresses it flows more smoothly. The Japanese vocabulary may be a slight distraction for less
proficient readers as they flip back and forth to the glossary to gain meaning, but also provides an opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture. All in all, an enjoyable read!
Canadian Children's Book News (Fall 2009, Vol. 32, No. 4)
March 5, 2014
When the Cherry Blossoms Fell, by Jennifer Maruno, is the story of a young Japanese-Canadian girl caught up in the paranoia of World War II. The narration vividly captures the confusion, fear and loss nine-year-old Michiko Minagawa experiences as she tries to understand the events that take her from the home she knows to an unknown and sometimes hostile new place.
This book, although fictionalized, gives profound insight to the hardships endured by many of Japanese descent. Michiko is born in Vancouver, British Columbia, but because of her Japanese ancestry, she and her family are forced from their home, separated, and moved further inland. But Michiko, unaware of a war and persecution, believes that she is going on "vacation" and will eventually return home. The reader experiences this exodus through a child's eyes, making the innocent narration heart-wrenching.
Unfortunately, poor editing detracts from the beautiful storytelling. There are instances where the progression of the scene appears disjointed, and one character has three different ways to spell his name. Some of the Japanese words used in the book are spelled incorrectly, which changes pronunciation and sometimes meaning. In one instance the change could have been done on purpose to add humor, but is lost because the intent - if meant - is not made clear ("bonsai" vs. "banzai").
Despite the editing flaws, When the Cherry Blossoms Fell is still a thought-provoking story for young readers. The narration is strong and allows readers to experience a very dark moment in our history.
**Originally published on Epinions.com.**
This book, although fictionalized, gives profound insight to the hardships endured by many of Japanese descent. Michiko is born in Vancouver, British Columbia, but because of her Japanese ancestry, she and her family are forced from their home, separated, and moved further inland. But Michiko, unaware of a war and persecution, believes that she is going on "vacation" and will eventually return home. The reader experiences this exodus through a child's eyes, making the innocent narration heart-wrenching.
Unfortunately, poor editing detracts from the beautiful storytelling. There are instances where the progression of the scene appears disjointed, and one character has three different ways to spell his name. Some of the Japanese words used in the book are spelled incorrectly, which changes pronunciation and sometimes meaning. In one instance the change could have been done on purpose to add humor, but is lost because the intent - if meant - is not made clear ("bonsai" vs. "banzai").
Despite the editing flaws, When the Cherry Blossoms Fell is still a thought-provoking story for young readers. The narration is strong and allows readers to experience a very dark moment in our history.
**Originally published on Epinions.com.**
July 7, 2014
Since childhood I have been aware of Japanese American internment camps but it never occurred to me that a similar fate befell the Japanese living in Canada during World War II. This book sheds light on that event through the experience of one Japanese-Canadian family forced to abandon their home and move inland. The story is told through the eyes of a child; that is, a child at the beginning of the story. It is also a story about the sustaining power of a unified family.
December 14, 2014
What I like about this book is the way it presents an honest account of the experience of Japanese-Canadians through the eyes of a child. It's a good one to teach younger kids about how people of Japanese descent were treated in North America around the time of Pearl Harbor.
August 19, 2012
If Michiko wasn't so clueless, kids could learn more history while reading.
April 26, 2013
A wonderful book for elementary schoolers, introducing them to the lives of Japanese-Americans in post Pearl Harbor times.
October 5, 2013
Very short story but seems to have been written by a 10 year old. Maybe this is a children's book,
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews