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My imagination was quickly captured by this tale of four American girls and the Japanese Friendship Doll, Miss Kanagawa, who changes each of their lives for the better. With the Friendship Doll weaving their stories together, the reader meets four spirited 11-year-old girls: Bunny, living in New York City, 1928; Lois, living in Illinois, 1933; Willie Mae, living in Kentucky, 1937; and Lucy, as she travels from Oklahoma to Oregon from 1939 to 1941. These Depression-era vignettes were captivating
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Each of the stories in this book could stand alone; Larson was able to include so much in just 200 pages. At first I would be disappointed that one story was finished and I had to start over again, but each story became very compelling. I really enjoy books that make me want to find out more about their background (if based on fact), and this one encouraged me to find out more about the friendship dolls. I imagine that students reading this book may not have a lot of knowledge about WPA, the poo
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This is another satisfying piece of historical fiction from the always-reliable Kirby Larson. I was mesmerized by the story from its opening pages and read it in one installment. I love how history is woven with the creative imaginings of "What if?" from the author. Fifty-eight dolls actually were sent to this country as Ambassadors of Friendship from Japan in response to doll gifts sent to Japan from the United States earlier. Larson imagines the travels and brief enounters one particular doll,
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In 1927, Japanese schoolchildren sent 58 dolls to the children of the United States as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. Kirby Larson shapes a touching story, following the travels of one of these dolls, Miss Kanagawa. At first, Miss Kanagawa is haughty and dismissive of the children who come to see her on display. “I am above all an ambassador, a dignitary. I simply happen to be a doll.” But through the course of the story, her heart is awakened by four different children she meets during h
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9 May 2011 FRIENDSHIP DOLL by Kirby Larson, Delacorte, May 2011, 208p., ISBN: 978-0-385-73745-6; Libr. ISBN: 978-0-385-90667-8
"I have to say my friends
This road goes a long, long way
And if we're going to find the end
We're gonna need a helping hand."
-- Elton John, "Salvation"
"Though he wasn't like Kurita -- a man whose endless boasts clanged like the chappa cymbal -- he was proud of his efforts. His wife would be too, were she still living. Miss Kanagawa was a doll like none other. The size of a ...more
"I have to say my friends
This road goes a long, long way
And if we're going to find the end
We're gonna need a helping hand."
-- Elton John, "Salvation"
"Though he wasn't like Kurita -- a man whose endless boasts clanged like the chappa cymbal -- he was proud of his efforts. His wife would be too, were she still living. Miss Kanagawa was a doll like none other. The size of a ...more
I was skeptical going into this book but it more than proved me wrong. The premise is a doll sent from Japan to the US, in a collection as goodwill ambassadors, interacts with characters from different viewpoints from the early 20's up to the present. A wonderful collection of beautiful vignettes - personal insights - into what life was like during the Depression and the beginning of WWII ending in the present. A great way to sneak in history lessons!
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Really enjoyed reading this treasure of a book. Grateful for the bloggers recommending it lately- enough that I picked it up. Loved traveling through time with Kirby Larson through the eyes of children, adults, and Miss Kanagawa. Such a beautiful perspective in each time and sensitive topics well approached in beautiful ways. Really recommend this book!
Maybe I should have been more patient with this one . . . but it just didn't grab me. There are some good moments in here, and the concept of seeing these stories through the eyes of a doll moving through decades of history in the US is an intriguing one. Perhaps I'm expecting more of it than I should.
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I loved Willie Mae's story the best. I nearly made me sob though. Larson did an amazing job bringing it all together through the different scenarios.
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Love the way the stories weave together through one lovely doll. Wonderful book!
Aug 08, 2011
Deanna Day
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Nov 24, 2011
Cathy Blackler
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Jan 11, 2012
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May 20, 2012
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Jun 20, 2012
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Jul 19, 2013
Angie
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