The Bracelet by Yoshiko Uchida tells the story of U.S. Government internment of Japanese-Americans following the outbreak of World War II as seen through the eyes of a seven year old Japanese-American girl. The story is based upon the real-life experiences of the author an
d her family. The story follows Emi and her family as they are forced to leave their home and friends and settle into squalid living conditions that were common in the internment camps of the era. I can not recommend this book, which was based on a short story, for several reasons. As much as I wanted it to, the story does not create a feeling of empathy towards the characters in the story. The mother and sister are never fleshed out in terms of character or despair, in fact, the main character, Emi, leaves me wanting more emotionally. The illustrations by Joanna Yardley lack emotion, in fact, almost every page has more empty space than used space.
The friendship between Emi and Laurie is almost a side story, contrived, to allow the introduction of the bracelet. I never get a feeling of this relationship and why is appears to be lost. I would assume that a better lesson would be how a friendship can survive despite distance and events.
d her family. The story follows Emi and her family as they are forced to leave their home and friends and settle into squalid living conditions that were common in the internment camps of the era. I can not recommend this book, which was based on a short story, for several reasons. As much as I wanted it to, the story does not create a feeling of empathy towards the characters in the story. The mother and sister are never fleshed out in terms of character or despair, in fact, the main character, Emi, leaves me wanting more emotionally. The illustrations by Joanna Yardley lack emotion, in fact, almost every page has more empty space than used space.The friendship between Emi and Laurie is almost a side story, contrived, to allow the introduction of the bracelet. I never get a feeling of this relationship and why is appears to be lost. I would assume that a better lesson would be how a friendship can survive despite distance and events.
I am not quite sure the intended age group this book would appeal to. Very young students will not understand the concept of internment and older students will have to be given historical context to fully appreciate the situation the book attempts to describe. My fifth grade students would not be engaged by a seven year old protagonist and seven year olds may not be able to grasp the concepts of racism, prejudice, and fear based upon threat of wartime uncertainty.
Uchida is a prolific writer of children's books that address her experiences as a Japanese-American. She has been awarded honors from School Library Journal, the American Library Association, and the New York Public Library. Her notable children's books include Best Bad Thing, Jar of Dreams, and Journey to Topaz. Her complete bibliography of children's books includes over seventeen titles. 
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