A Jar of Dreams

A Jar of Dreams is set in the 1930s during The Great Depression. The location is Berkeley, California and our main character is Rinko Tsujimura, an 11- year old Japanese girl that is having a hard time fitting in. Rink does not like her name (she wishes it were easier to pronounce and one that people would remember), and she does not like her hair or her face, the clues that give away her Japanese connection. Rinko wishes she could be just "like everybody else" as she is tired of her classmates teasing her teasing at school and the awful stares she and her family receive from others when she is out in public with her family.The setting is so important for the reader to understand as it explains the treatment Rinko and her family are victims of and defines the issues the family is faced with. Japanese immigrants faced pressure and discrimination within their communities and neighborhoods. Many Americans were resentful of their presence and did not trust them. In addition, many felt threatened by the economic competition from Japanese companies.The story is centered around a problem Rinko's father is faced with that could financially affect the family. The family is in the process of trying to determine the best way to move forward, when Aunt Waka, Rinko's mother's sister, arrives from Japan, with some wisdom that not only reminds Rinko of the importance of her cultural heritage, but the importance of standing up for what one believes in and pursuing their dreams.A Jar of Dreams is a middle grade reader, but this book not just for middle readers. In this era, the theme is familiar and the plot is easy for young children to follow. The content is strong and engaging that adult readers will enjoy the storyline. Though Rinko is the main character, and it is expected that she well grow from her experience, there is character development for all the characters in the story. The storyline also demonstrates how one person's action can affect others.Author Yoshiko Uchida did a great job writing a plot centered around a conflict that affected each character in a unique way. Though the story is told through the eyes of Rinko, who many adults would assume is too young to understand what is going on, it is evident in Rinko's tone that she is very well aware of the social climate and can perceive the hurt and frustration the conflict brings to her family and other members of her community. This makes it easy for the reader to relate and connect with her. The structure of the story is developed and well written.As a child born in America to parents that immigrated to the United States. I shared many of the feelings Rinko talked about. I can remember as a young child telling my teachers to call me "Dorothy" instead of my name, because my name was the subject of harsh jokes on the school playground. I read this story with my daughter because I wanted her to understand the importance of cultural heritage and identity. This is a good book to use to engage young readers in discussions regarding immigration and stereotypes, especially with what is transpiring in the U.S.as depicted in the media.I truly recommend this book. Again, it is an easy read- roughly 136 pages. Uchida has two other books that follow Rinko. They sit in my Amazon cart now, ready for purchase.

We purchased this for our Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum. The order arrived quickly and was in the expected condition as described by the seller. Story was very interesting.

Great kids book about life as a first generation American and prejudices she and her family faced in 1930s California. A visiting aunt gives her a new perspective on who she is and what being Japanese American means. In the back to the adult reader is what is coming down the road for this family.

Assigned to my daughter in 6th grade Pre AP English. She struggled getting into it for several chapters. I decided to see what the fuss was about. As far as a young reader's literary book should be, it was well written and easy to follow. There was just barely enough climax in the book to keep me reading to the end, but was disappointed in the end. It made sense, but the only reason my daughter made it through is because it wasn't quite as bad as the other choice she had to read. It was also a little depressing throughout the entire book. Even when problems were resolved at the end, I was still left wanting more for the characters in the book. I rate it a 2 just because I was able to make it to the end.

I purchased this novel to read with my sixth grade students. They really enjoyed it. I would recommend it for other 5th and 6th grade students.

I couldn't put this book down, it was that well written. It is about racism and how a young girl learned to deal with the reality of it.

I was impressed with the story I found in this book. Before reading it, I wasn't expecting such a dramatic story. Now that it is over, I wish there was a sequel!Rinko is a young, Japanese girl. She lives in California with her parents and two brothers. There are two important parts of American History that are hurting Rinko's life. First, it's the Depression, and lack of money. Secondly, and more painful to Rinko: it's how the Japanese are hated among people.This summertime story brings out and shows meaningful changes in Rinko's life, and how she things about the world around her.I really recommend reading this book!

It fulfills its purpose.

二世の娘Rinkoに母親は語ります。アメリカに移住するとき、サンフランシスコ湾にあるAngel Islandで入国審査を受けた、と。この島には1910～1940年の間、入国管理局がありました。一方、大西洋を渡ったヨーロッパからの移民は1892～1954年の間、ニューヨーク湾にあるEllis Islandで入国審査を受けました。ですから、Angel Islandは "The Ellis Island of the West" と呼ばれました。かたやLiberty Islandに、かたやAlcatrazに隣接しているという事実は、皮肉な偶然です。アメリカ合衆国を反転させると、「私たちの」アメリカがみえてきます。数多い日系アメリカ文学の中でもAngel Islandに言及する作品は少ないのではないでしょうか。その意味でもこの本は意義深い。