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cstoeger's review against another edition
Laura Iwasaki and her family are paying what may be their last visit to Laura's grandfather's grave. The grave is at Manzanar, where thousands of Americans of Japanese heritage were interned during World War II.
kimiloughlin's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous illustrations and important story. So Far From the Sea tells a super simple story of the Iwasaki family who is visiting the remnants of the Manzanar Japanese Internment camp, where their grandfather is buried. Though the young kids, Laurie and Thomas, never met their grandfather, they hold him in a special place in their heart. Their father and mother share memories of their times in their respective camps and the group leave silk flowers and a family memento on the grave. This picture book does a good job of keeping the story simple for kids and yet giving just enough information to give context to the history. Soentpiet's illustrations are absolutely stunning and his black and white interpretations of the camp are very reminiscent of the photographs of Manzanar at the time.
hldillon's review against another edition
5.0
good story about the life after interment camps for a family. The illustrations are done in black and white and color to represent past and future.
mrsbond's review against another edition
2.0
A family's visit to a Japanese Relocation Camp, and consequently grandfather's grave. Illustrations switch from present to past; all faces wear the same angry, almost vacant expression. The mood is appropriately serious and somber (as are the illustrations). However I don't believe the emotion of the 7 year old toward the relocation camp; simply too strong for someone so young, even if mom and dad frequently speak of their childhood experiences. It seems forced. Perhaps I haven't met a 7 year old as mature as Laura? I don't disagree that this story needs to be told, I'm just not in love with the end product.
beccaandthegingercat's review against another edition
4.0
Loved getting to discuss the topics in this book with kids. Gave a great starting point for some discussions.
bkwrm127's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing illustrations by Chris Soentpiet match a poignant story about a dark part of US history in a way that makes it accessible for children. Loved it!