When Can We Go Back to America?

Starred review from August 16, 2021
Beginning with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and extending to the Trump administration’s discriminatory acts through 2019, activist, educator, and lawyer Kamei—who labored with Japanese American congressman Norman Y. Mineta and others in the 1970s–’80s redress movement—interweaves a personal framework, an impressive array of first-person stories (many from the public domain), and painstaking research to craft this authoritative, unblinking account of the incarceration of “approximately 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry” in the U.S. between 1942 and 1946. Kamei details how the mass incarceration was based on a blend of deeply rooted racism, deception, and outright greed, resulting in the notorious, euphemism-riddled 1942 Executive Order 9066 that forcibly removed and imprisoned citizens, who could take “only the things they could carry.” Featuring affecting narratives covering the U.S. Army enlisting controversy; an engaging account of two units’ combat prowess; and the U.S. court system, where Japanese American rights were being pursued in several landmark cases, Kamei’s exhaustive work also provides an encyclopedic A-to-Z roster of more than 150 individual contributor biographies. At more than 700 pages, this is a truly remarkable, comprehensive resource with an emphasis on allyship, indispensable for researchers and any resistor of injustice. Back matter includes lists, a timeline, a glossary, contributor notes, excerpt permissions, and sources. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kathleen Anderson, Anderson Literary.

August 15, 2021
Kamei, a lawyer instrumental in achieving redress for those incarcerated following Executive Order 9066, seamlessly combines dozens of personal narratives with detailed historical research. These stories, drawn mostly from works in the public domain, are presented in this volume that covers the bombing of Pearl Harbor through to the redress movement, the 1983 congressional commission findings, and former President Donald Trump's 2017 executive orders restricting travel from many predominantly Muslim countries. The author provides a framework for understanding the lead-up to the decision to intern so-called enemy aliens, along with about 72,000 American citizens of Japanese descent. From there, she shares their harrowing journey to barren desert camps, the harsh realities of life behind barbed-wire fences, and their eventual release during a time when anti-Japanese sentiments still ran high. The use of direct quotes from internees--many of them children and young adults--adds remarkable emotional weight. Many lives were ruined as people's dreams and life goals were crushed, and readers will viscerally connect with their endurance and marvel at how many still maintained faith in the democratic system. The message of awareness of this past injustice and its connection to standing in solidarity with others who face injustice is a compelling theme of this riveting and indispensable work. This landmark historical account shines a light on a part of American history that must be remembered. (author's note, centers and camps, timeline, glossary, abbreviations, contributor notes, sources, excerpt permissions, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 13-adult)

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Starred review from November 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-This is a narrative history of Japanese Americans, beginning with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, leading to Executive Order 9066, and ending with a chapter on the allyship of Japanese Americans with other marginalized communities facing government sanctioned prejudice, such as the Muslim American community after September 11th and under the Trump administration. This book is divided into five parts, weaving together the appalling history and personal experiences of Japanese Americans during WWII. Readers are given a thoroughly detailed and meticulously researched historical account of what was happening within the country and government at the time. Interspersed throughout are personal accounts of the atrocities faced by incarcerated Japanese Americans and the long-term impact of the government's actions. These testaments provide a complete look at the range of experiences, from being ordered to leave their homes to family separation, life in the camps, exceptional military service, the landmark civil rights cases, and much more. Filled with over a 100 alphabetically organized, detailed biographies of those who shared their experiences, Kamei's narrative nonfiction work dives deeply into what it means to be American, then and always. Back matter includes biographies, acknowledgements, a list of assembly centers and WRA relocation centers, a list of internment camps and their populations, a detailed time line, a glossary, and contributor notes. VERDICT This comprehensive and engaging history of Japanese incarceration during and beyond WWII is essential for all collections.-Kristyn Dorfman, Friends Academy, Locust Valley, NY

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December 15, 2021
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* This comprehensive and compelling compilation seamlessly weaves together meticulous historical research with the voices of more than 130 of the 120,000 Japanese Americans imprisoned during WWII. The first half covers the time before, during, and after incarceration, detailing how prisoners endured atrocious camp conditions, protested their incarceration, enlisted in the U.S. military, and, later, were gradually released after the war's end. The book also chronicles the Japanese redress movement for a formal apology and payments of reparations, of which the author, an attorney, was an instrumental part. All throughout, Kamei intersperses personal accounts from those incarcerated, many of them given as young adults. The use of direct quotes powerfully conveys the lived experiences of the book's subjects with raw, emotional force. Discussions are also raised about the consequences of unchecked political power and what can happen when racism and hysteria drive our nation's government and society. The overall length of the book is a testament to the author's thoroughness. The second half includes over 100 detailed biographies of the individuals who shared their experiences, as well as a list of assembly centers and War Relocation Authority centers, a list of incarceration camps and population information, a detailed time line, a comprehensive glossary, contributor notes, an index, and more. Kamei has created a resonating--and essential--read.

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