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What Members Thought

Cherlyn
Jul 05, 2011 rated it really liked it
I never knew that the Japanese and the Chinese were so at odds leading up to and during WWII. A bit of history in this love story, plus some jazz education for those who have never heard of Oscar Holden. The author uses flashbacks to tell two stories at once, a past and a present. Usually this technic fades about halfway through the novel, but this follows through right to the end, which by the way, is the way we all like stories to end. A good read.
Jen
Aug 17, 2010 rated it really liked it
I picked this book for our book club pick for August 2010. I thought this was a beautiful story. It really teaches you about different cultures, and about a part of our history that took place during World War II. It was easy for me to be wrapped into the characters, the story, and the places in this book. The author does a good job of captivating his audience. This was a great read!!
Marilee
Sep 13, 2010 rated it really liked it
I really enjoyed this book. The writing is descriptive and the story is both beautiful and heartbreaking. There is a discrepancy with time near the beginning of the story that bugged me - I'm sorry, but people weren't typically in online support groups in 1986. The story takes place in Seattle, and I loved reading about places that I know well. ...more
Marie
Nov 10, 2011 rated it liked it
This book was just ok for me. Honestly, the only reason that I bothered finishing it was because I was hosting our book club and this was the book that we were discussing. The romance between the two young characters seemed a little weird to me since they really were so young.
Estahli
Aug 17, 2010 rated it really liked it
Very interesting of a chinese boy and his relationship with a japanese girl during the war. They attended an all white school on scholarship.It is a love relationship between two 12 year old children and what they endure in school, in the resettlement camps and their adult life. Interesting
Lindsay Moore
Jun 08, 2011 rated it it was amazing
This book was absolutely fantastic. Set in Seattle during the 1940s and 1980s. Incredibly poignant. READ IT!
Malinda
Feb 03, 2013 rated it it was amazing
Great book! I ended up falling for the sweet little boy in this story and enjoyed learning more about what happened on our home-front during the war in the early 1940's. This book wasn't one that I had to read in one sitting, but I liked the author's writing style and overall thought it was a winner. ...more
Kristen
Oct 07, 2019 rated it really liked it
This aptly titled book was bittersweet indeed. I learned so much that I didn't know about the Japanese Interment's connection to Seattle through this sweet love story. I did think that it was a bit too slowly paced, but it was beautifully written. I wish there were more books written about the Interment--this was a good one! ...more
Beth A.
Oct 06, 2011 rated it really liked it
I listened to this one. I almost finished it in time for my IRL book club. I really enjoyed it. I loved Henry's voice. Especially the line (not exact quote) "He had an Ethyl shaped hole in his heart." The characters felt real and the story was very good. I loved the historical and cultural aspects, too. ...more
Julie
Aug 03, 2011 rated it really liked it
Really enjoyed the story and the Seattle setting. It makes me want to reread books likeHiroshima and Farewell to Manzanar. My beef with the book is that some of Henry's observations are too mature for a boy his age. ...more
Andrea
Sep 05, 2010 rated it really liked it
Dahlene
Dec 01, 2010 marked it as to-read
Erika
Dec 15, 2010 rated it liked it
Andrea
Apr 04, 2011 rated it really liked it
Jessica
Apr 19, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: day-book-club
Jennifer
May 15, 2011 marked it as to-read
Amanda
May 31, 2011 rated it liked it
Tyrel
Jun 26, 2011 rated it really liked it
Valerie Waters
Jul 13, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Joshlyn
Aug 01, 2011 rated it really liked it
Brenda
Aug 16, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Britney
Sep 20, 2011 rated it liked it
Amy
Jan 21, 2012 marked it as to-read
Stacy
Mar 18, 2012 rated it really liked it
Cheryl Johnson
Jun 06, 2012 rated it really liked it
Judy
Jun 27, 2012 marked it as to-read
Carla
Aug 27, 2012 rated it really liked it
Shelves: book-group
Diane
Oct 25, 2012 marked it as to-read
Kaylynn
Nov 04, 2012 marked it as to-read