Under the Blood-Red Sun

December 7, 1941 — thirteen-year-old Tomikazu Nakaji and his best friend Billy Davis are playing in a field near their homes in Hawaii when the Japanese launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. As Tomi looks up at the sky and recognizes the Blood-Red Sun emblem on the amber fighter planes, he knows that his life has changed forever. His father and grandfather, both Japanese-Americans, are quickly arrested and taken to concentration camps. His mother loses her job because she is Japanese. Although Tomi feels frightened and ashamed of his native land, he is forced to become the man of the family. Under the Blood-Red Sun is an unforgettable tale of courage, survival and friendship.

Awards:

• 1999 California Young Reader Medal
• 1998 Nene Award (Hawaii Young Reader’s Choice)
• 1998 Utah Young Adult Book Award Nominee
• 1998 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award Nominee
• Teacher’s Choice for 1995, International Reading Association
• 1995 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, American Library Association
• Books in the Middle: Outstanding Books of 1994 for the Middle School Reader,
•  VOYA  (Voice of Youth Advocates)
• Library of Congress: 1995 Notable Children’s Books of the Year
• 1995 Oregon Book Award
• 1995 The Family Channel Seal of Quality
• 1995 Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library
• Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies for 1995
• 1994 Booklist Editor’s Choice
• 1994 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
• 1994 Parent’s Choice Honor Award
• 1994 Best Books for Young Adults, American Library Association
• 1994 Notable Children’s Book of the Year, American Library Association

House of the Red Fish

1943, one year after the end of Under the Blood-Red Sun, Tomi’s Papa and Grandpa are still under arrest, and the paradise of Hawaii now lives in fear—waiting for another attack, while trying to recover from Pearl Harbor. As a Japanese American, Tomi and his family have new enemies everywhere, vigilantes who suspect all Japanese. Tomi finds hope in his goal of raising Papa’s fishing boat, sunk in the canal by the Army on the day of the attack. To Tomi, raising Papa’s boat is a sign of faith that Papa and Grandpa will return. It’s an impossible task, but Tomi is determined. For just as he now has new enemies, his struggle to raise the boat brings unexpected allies and friends.

Awards:

• 2007 ALA Notable Book
• 2007 Flamingnet Top Choice Award
• 2007 Books for the Teen Age: New York Public Library
• 2007 Outstanding Merit: Best Children’s Books of the Year by the
  Children’s Book Committee at the Bank Street College of Education
  
• 2008-2009 Volunteer State Book Award Master Reading List
• 2007-2008 Sunshine State Young Reader Award Master List
• 2007 Oregon Book Award Nominee
• 2009 Nene Award Nominee (Hawaii)
• 2008-2009 Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Nominee

Eyes of the Emperor

When Eddy Okubo lies about his age and joins the United States Army in Honolulu in 1941, he isn’t expecting war to break out. But soon after he enlists, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, and suddenly his fellow Americans see him as the enemy. Even the army doubts his loyalty — and the loyalty of all the American soldiers of Japanese ancestry. Eddy and twenty-four other Japanese American soldiers are sent to a remote island on a secret mission, given a terrifying job, and told that only they can do it. On the island, the meanings of duty, patriotism, loyalty and courage are tested in a bizarre world where Eddy is tried in unbelievable ways.

Awards:

• 2005 Best Books of the Year, Kirkus Reviews
• 2005 Parent’s Choice Silver Honor Award
• 2006 Notable Social Studies, Trade Books for Young People
• 2006-2007 Texas Tayshas High School Reading List
• 2006 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• 2006 ALA Notable Book
• 2006 New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
• 2006 Capitol Choices, Noteworthy Books for Children
  
• 2006 PEN USA Literary Award (finalist)
  
• 2006 Oregon Book Award
  
• 2007 Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee
• Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Nominee 2007-2008
  
• Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth 2005-2006
• 2007-2008 South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee
• 2007 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee
• 2009 Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee
• 2008-2009 Oregon Battle of the Books Title List
• 2010 Nutmeg Book Award Nominee (Connecticut)