Shell Song: Based on a True Family Story
Grandfather lived in Hawaii and loved to play music and sort the shells he and his children found at the beach. But when Hawaii was attacked in 1941 and the United States declared war on Japan, Grandfather’s Japanese heritage got him in trouble. Although he’d done nothing wrong, he was put into an internment camp. The prisoners were made to work and didn’t get much food. When he had free time, Grandfather continued to collect shells, not realizing how precious they would be to his granddaughter many years later.
The text clearly explains the story, and the accompanying illustrations do an excellent job of not only supporting the story, but showing historical evidence of time and place: long lines for food, the barbed wire of the camp, and the beauty of the shells. Four pages of end material with references further explain about the author’s grandfather, as well as America’s history with Japanese immigrants and Japanese American citizens. The publisher indicates for ages 4-8, but I recommend ages 7-12.
