Weedflower

Bibliography

Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Antheneum. ISBN 0689865740.

Plot Summary

WEEDFLOWER is the story of a young, twelve year old girl, Sumiko, and her family during the tense times before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Before Pearl Harbor, Sumiko and her family are happy flower farmers in California, Sumiko was aware of the tensions between Japanese Americans and Caucasians, but these tensions were solidified when she and her family were forced to move to Potson, Arizona to an internment camp. While there, Sumiko is able to revive her love of flowers and gardening, and she makes her very first true friend in a Native American boy, Frank, and to see how the two groups of people are helping each other in a time of great need.

Critical Analysis

This story is told in a way that allows the reader to easily identify with Sumiko and her family, and to see the hardships and injustices they suffered for their heritage. The book gets it title from the name of Sumiko’s favorite flower, stock, often call Weedflower. Kadohata presents authentic historical information in a vivid way, describing the setting of the internment camp in such a way that the reader can visualize the barracks sprawled in the desert, and later, the lush, green gardens growing where it once seemed impossible. The familial ties are so well described that the reader can feel Sumiko’s ties to her younger brother “Tak-Tak”, her cousin Bull, and her grandfather Jiichan. Sumiko evolves from a young girl wanting nothing more than to attend the birthday party of the popular girl from school, into a young lady who understands her families history, her own feelings, and her strengths. This book brings to light a subject that is otherwise little discussed, and often overlooked in history books and classes. Kadohata’s knowledge stems from her own fathers experience at the internment camp, as well as much study of the history, giving this book much credit, and authentic historical value.

Review Excerpt

School Library Journal- “Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko's growth from child to young woman. She is a sympathetic heroine, surrounded by well-crafted, fascinating people. The concise yet lyrical prose conveys her story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience.”

Connections

This book should lead students to further explore the Japanese Internment camps of WWII, and the history involved.

Students could participate in a science experiment, testing various typed of soil, fertile, and dry, to understand the work that went into Sumiko’s garden at the camp.

Other books by Cynthia Kadohata:
KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407.
OUTSIDE BEAUTY. ISBN 0689865759.