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Gaijin – written and illustrated by Matt
Faulkner
Koji
Miyamoto, whose father has returned to Japan because his parents are ill, celebrates
his 13th birthday on Dec. 7th, 1941, not a good time to
be half-Japanese in the U.S. This graphic novel tells the story of this young
adolescent and his white mother who are sent to what was called a re-location
camp, first right outside San Francisco at an old race track. Their new home is
a stall in a horse stable. Koji’s anger at nearly everything builds from the
beginning. First they must sell all their belongings except for two full
suitcases, and the ‘junk’ man pays them only $50. Sadly, the insults continue,
fighting at school, then at the camp, a gang also harasses. Somehow, Koji
doesn’t even fit in this group. He has freckles! The plot holds the reader’s
attention through conflict between Koji and his mom, Koji’s fights and then the
joining of the local gang. Friendship with an older man is like a lifeline; he gives
Koji advice and helps him out of trouble more than once. It’s a good complex
story that will hold young adolescents’ attention and hopefully help them
understand the terrible times in war, even in America.