UCHIDA, Yoshiko. The Bracelet. illus. by Yardley, Joanna. 29 p. Philomel Books, 1993. ISBN 0-399-22503 $14.95..

This story of Emi is historical fiction, presenting a realistic picture of the life of a Japanese family who was detained in an internment camp during World War II. Since the story is based on the author’s own experiences, it appears to be accurate in its telling of Emi’s story.

These people of Japanese heritage were fiercely loyal Americans as evidenced by the sign put in one of their store windows. To their great shame, they were not trusted by the American government and were held under armed guard. Against their will, they were forced to give up their homes, their cars, their furniture, their jobs, and their schooling. Basically, they were forced to give up the essence of their lives, and to be identified only by their race, creating a shame in the very fact that they were not Caucasian. As long as the nation of Japan was responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Japanese were enemies of the United States in the war, the Japanese-Americans would not be free to pursue a normal life.

In this story, rather than emphasizing their Japanese culture, it emphasized how American the characters were. Their dress was Western and the language they spoke was English. Their facial features set them apart and made them easy to identify and to include in these makeshift prisons called internment camps.

This unfortunate group of people appeared not to be ostracized by their friends and neighbors. Emi’s white friend, Laurie, gave her a going away present which was the subject of this story. Emi lost the gold bracelet with a heart pendant while helping to clean out the dirty horse stalls they were to live in. She was devastated until her mother explained that the memories of people we love are kept in our hearts forever. This story would be excellent for teaching the historical significance of the Japanese internment camps in America. It also emphasizes the importance of friendship and love in adverse conditions. It offers a message of hope, although we are not told the outcome and what actually happens to these brave people.

Joanna Yardley’s artwork is important in portraying many scenes in the story. Her depiction of the character’s physical traits helps us "see" Emi and her family, as well as the difficult conditions they face. Drawings of the houses and cars of the day are accurate, helping children visualize the time and place in which the story occurs. This is very helpful for children who do not yet have the historical background of life in the 1940’s.

This picture book could be used with children from second through fifth grade, although it would be good to use with older children for a discussion of the historical significance of the Japanese internment camps and life during World War II in the United States. It was written in the third person and the plot is an important literary element. Characters are not developed fully in picture books, but enough information is provided about Emi and her family to understand their thoughts and feelings during this ordeal.

By Bonny Cassutt

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