Journey Home by Yoshiko Uchida

I enjoyed reading the book Journey Home by Yoshiko Uchida. I wasn't sure what to expect, since the book is about a Japanese American family surviving during World War II. But I found that I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, and the family described by the story dealt with their problems and reacted much the same as any other loving family would react during a terrible time of trial.

The story is told through the voice of Yuki, a young Japanese American girl who has just been released with her parents from the concentration camp in Utah. The story describes her journey from the camp to her birthplace, California, with several stops and struggles along the way. Some Americans consider her to be the enemy, even though she has never even seen Japan. Her brother volunteered to fight in the army, and returns injured after the war is over. The readers empathize with her struggles and applaud when her thoughts change from always waiting for her "real life" to begin, to instead living and enjoying the life she has now.

I believe that young readers will empathize with the lead character in this story. She is portrayed as being very kind and honorable, but not without faults. Her struggle to find acceptance, belonging and security will appeal to any young reader. Readers will also learn a great deal about American history, and will be reminded of the cruel actions that take place sometimes in our own neighborhoods.

Other books by Yoshiko Uchida include:

Journey to Topaz (2004) -- with Donald Carrick
A Jar of Dreams (1993)
Picture Bride (1999)
The Bracelet (1996)
The Invisible Thread: An Autobiography (1995)
Journey Home (1992) -- with Charles Robinson
The Terrible Leak: Creative Short Story Series (1989)
The Best Bad Thing (1993)
Sea of Gold (1991)
The Magic Listening Cap: More Folktales from Japan (1987)
The Dancing Kettle (1986)
Samurai of Gold Hill (2005) -- with Ati Forberg
The Rooster Who Understood Japanese (1976) -- with Charles Robinson
The Wise Old Woman (1994) -- with Martin Springett
In Between Miya (1967)
Rokubei and the Thousand Rice Bowls (1962)
The Birthday Visitor (1975) -- with Charoles Robinson
The Magic Purse (1993) -- with Keiko Narahashi
Mik and the Prowler (1993) -- with William Hutchinson
Sumi & the Goat & the Tokyo Express (1969) -- with Kazue Mizumura
Takao & Grandfather's Sword (1993) -- with William Hutchinson
Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese-American Family (1984)