Naomi's Road

By Joy Kogawa and Kogawa

Book Overview

A brand new edition of a children's classic.

First published to critical acclaim in 1986, Naomi's Road is the story of a girl whose Japanese-Canadian family is uprooted during the Second World War. Separated from their parents, Naomi and her brother Stephen are sent to an internment camp in the interior of British Columbia. For the young girl growing up, war only means that she can no longer return to her home in Vancouver, or see her parents. Told from a child's point of view and without a trace of anger or malice, Naomi's Road has been praised as a powerful indictment of the injustice of war and the government's treatment of Japanese-Canadian citizens, both during and well after World War II.

This new edition is based on an expanded version of the story published in Japan. In it, Kogawa brings in more of the extended family and answers the question so often asked by fans of the original book: What happened to Naomi's mother? With a historical note and a new ending, cover, and interior drawings by popular children's illustrator Ruth Ohi, this book will be an absolute must for owners of the original as well as a whole new generation of young readers.

Praise from Publishers Weekly: "Kogawa, who wrote the adult book Obasan, begins this with a letter to children, explaining the background for Naomi's story -- that Canada was at war with Japan and so all Japanese-Canadians were placed in internment camps Naomi's point of view is singularly childlike -- for her, war means missing her parents and not understanding why another girl, Mitzi, dislikes her... This is not a novel that bears malice for the injustices of the war, but relates instead a tale of unquenchable human spirit, undaunted by prejudice and unable to let go of hope."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550051156
• ISBN13: 9781550051155
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.9" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Grandmother previewing book for grand daughter

I bought this book for my 8 year old grand daughter. I generally read books before I give them to the kids. I've read other books by Kogawa and always thoroughly enjoy them. This book is no exception but: I'm not sure the loss of her mother, father, grandparents, doll, friends, etc isn't a little heavy for an eight year old. My gr.daughter reads/comprehends above her age level but I think it's a little heavy for her yet. Probably by age 10 or 11 children have a better emotional grasp for themselves and of the world. Excellent story, wonderfully well written. Even teens and adults would enjoy this well sensitive, emotional book. Coleen from Kent, Wa

Naomi's Road

Naomi's Road Author:Joy Kogawa. This book takes place in 1940's. Canada is at war with Japan. Naomi and her brother, Stephen go from Vancouver to an internment camp in the interior of British Columbia and then to a farm in Alberta. Join Naomi on her quest to seek hope and understanding of the world around her. Review by:Frances