This Land We Call Home

Nitty Gritty Novels (Series II)

by Alison Lohans

flap copy
"It is 1941 in rural California. Paula Harmon and Ken Nishimura have been friends and neighbors for as long as they can remember. But around them racial tension mounts as World War II intensifies and Pearl Harbor is bombed. Suddenly, Ken and his family are considered enemies in their own country. Paula and Ken's friendship is tested and their lives changed forever by the horrifying events that follow ..."
Nitty Gritty Novel Series II
Winner of the 2008 Saskatchewan Book Award for Young Adult Literature.

Genres: Historical Fiction

189 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Award-winning Canadian Alison Lohans has published 30 books with presses in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Many of her books have been finalists for awards such as the CLA Young Adult Book Award, three different categories of the Saskatchewan Book Awards, the High Plains Book Awards, the Shining Willow Award, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, The Prix Aurora Award, and the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award. This Land We Call Home (Pearson Education New Zealand/now Australia) won the 2008 Saskatchewan Book Award for YA Literature. Alison was named the 2012 Regina YWCA Jacquie Schumiacher Woman of Distinction for her many contributions to the arts in Regina, Saskatchewan, which has been Alison's home since 1976.

See also:
https://alisonlohans.wordpress.com/
and https://www.facebook.com/alisonlohans...
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October 2023 - TYLER EVANS THE GREAT, an early chapter book for readers aged 6-8 from Your Nickel's Worth Publishing, illustrated by Gretchen Ehrsam.

Tyler yearns to be a hero. But it's so hard to become one! Heroes don't get nosebleeds at school, or lose a shoe wile kicking a ball! Their older brothers don't call them "Brat", and they never let the class bully steal their lunch! Maybe a special magic potion will help?

https://www.ynwp.ca/books/222-tyler-e...
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May 2023 - the new print edition of GERMY JOHNSON'S STOLEN SKATEBOARD, the first book in the Germy Johnson Series for kids aged 7-9.

J.J. and his friends have been practising hard for the Slick Wheels Contest, and think they'll be able to win the 9-and-under category. Then J.J.'s new skateboard goes missing! How can he possibly find it in time?

https://www.amazon.ca/Germy-Johnsons-...
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Released spring 2023 is the new ebook edition of GERMY JOHNSON'S PIANO WAR, Alison's second chapter book for kids aged 7-9 in the Germy Johnson series.

Piano lessons! J.J. is horrified! Why did Mom sign him up for lesson, and right at the time of his favourite TV show? His friend Derek has to take lessons too, and he's not happy either. When J.J. gets a black eye at his first lesson, this means war!

https://www.amazon.com/Germy-Johnsons...
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Released June 1, 2022 is STRONG AS A PHARAOH, Alison's second contemporary romance novel with BWL Publishing.

Egypt! What better place to break free of painful ruts and crippling memories of two disastrous first marriages?

Megan, a blocked mystery writer, signs on for a tour of this ancient world of temples, pyramids and pharaohs, desperately needing to re-create herself in the aftermath of the suicide of her emotionally abusive husband. She no longer needs a man in her life…she thinks….

Daniel, a professor and church music director, signs on for a tour of Egypt at the end of his sabbatical in Oxford. He loved his mentally-ill ex-wife, and still can’t understand why she left him all those years ago, taking their daughter with her.

https://www.bookswelove.com/lohans-al...
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Released September 15, 2021 is Alison's fifth picture book THE 1-DOGPOWER GARDEN TEAM, illustrated by Gretchen Ehrsam, with Your Nickel's Worth Publishing.

Sophie loves her dog, Max. Max loves Sophie. But he also loves to dig. Can Sophie find a way to stop Max from digging up Mom’s garden?

Shortlisted:
The 2022 G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation Children’s Award, Saskatchewan Book Awards
Finalist:
First runner up in the Animals/Pets category of the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

https://www.ynwp.ca/books/191-the-1-d...
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Released July 1, 2021 is CANINE CUPID, Alison's first contemporary romance novel, with BWL Publishing.
(Canine Cupid was originally set for February 2022 release under its working

Reviews

[Gabriele Goldstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I learned from this book is that World War II didn't just happen 'over there.' I've known next to nothing about how Japanese Americans were treated here on this continent. This is a highly recommended read and would be a welcome beginning to some interesting discussions for grades six to eight - and older, too.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. The two narrators weren't the most memorable voices of all time, but the value of the story carried it off. Japanese internment may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's a subject worth reading and writing about.

[Waddels · Rating 1 out of 5]

I READ THIS BOOK 1000 YEARS AGO AND IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR IT EVER SINCE CAUSE I FORGOT THE NAME AND NOW I FOUND IT OUT AND NOW THAT I HAVE I HAVE COME TO SAY THIS


THIS BOOK SUCKS DOO DOO WHY DID THE TRAIN CRASH OH SO WE CAN GET ON A TRUCK MAN SHUTSUR DUMB DUMB BUBBLE GUM READ HITLERS ANGELS

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so insightful. I never knew about the struggles of Japanese living in America during WW2. I think the author did justice to showing how hard it was for them, but also giving us a perspective of someone who was on the other side of the fence, but showed love. Beautiful story.

[Jessica MacRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and engaging. Although it was very confusing with all of the many different characters, the almost overly descriptive writing and words all around it were very informing and easy to read.

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the book but the storyline... it got kinda boring