About this item
A touching story about Japanese American children who corresponded with their beloved librarian while they were imprisoned in World War II internment camps.When Executive Order 9066 is enacted after the attack at Pearl Harbor, children's librarian Clara Breed's young Japanese American patrons are to be sent to prison camp. Before they are moved, Breed asks the children to write her letters and gives them books to take with them. Through the three years of their internment, the children correspond with Miss Breed, sharing their stories, providing feedback on books, and creating a record of their experiences. Using excerpts from children's letters held at the Japanese American National Museum, author Cynthia Grady presents a difficult subject with honesty and hope.
About the Author
I have two early memories of writing: writing letters to my grandmother beginning around age 4 and writing poems for school in fourth grade. I still have some of the poems and a couple of those letters that my mother had given me long after I'd grown up.My most recent book: WRITE TO ME: LETTERS FROM JAPANESE AMERICAN CHILDREN TO THE LIBRARIAN THEY LEFT BEHIND, tells the story of San Diego children's librarian, Clara Breed, and her fearless determination to be sure her former library patrons were lavished with kindness and books during their unjust incarceration during WWII. I write more often than I sew quilts, but I combined my interests for my first book, I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN: POEMS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. After STITCHES came out, Michele Wood, the amazing illustrator of STITCHES, asked if I would consider writing the text for a new book idea she had. LIKE A BIRD: THE ART OF THE AMERICAN SLAVE SONG is the result. I have more books coming out, so check back soon. In the meantime, visit me at https://cynthiagrady.com
