Cherry Blossom Winter: A Cherry Blossom Book

I finished the second book in the three part Cherry Blossom Series tonight. After Pearl Harbour was bombed by Japan during the Second World War the Canadian Government made a mistake. Decades later the Government would apologize. Jennifer Muruno using her uncanny gifting for historical fiction tells us that story. The author recounts it precisely as a Middle Grade child needs to hear it; not watered down, but without the more mature themes found in YA. Romance for instance is less graphic, but still evident. Michiko is like many young girls her age; she has friends, she laughs, she plays, she has a happy home life and loving parents. Her reactions are normal for a young child encountering stigma, paranoia, and suspicions. The young reader feeling unaccepted because of cultural diversity will identify with Muruno's character. Woven into this second book is the true story of Professional Baseball in Canada. The Japanese - Canadian League led the way demonstrating their skill. Muruno makes it clear these Canadians showed the honour the culture is known for ; never playing victim to their circumstances. Perhaps that is why most Canadians knew nothing of these events until recent years. As a Canadian, I am thankful that the author researched her story well, telling it like a professional. It needed to be documented not only for Middle Grade Readers , but for all readers who value the rich diversity of Canadian Culture. #cherryblossomseries #cherryblossomwinter #jennifermuruno

What would you do if you were suddenly designated an enemy of your own country? What would you do if you were forced to leave the home your family worked hard to provide for you, never to see it again? What would you do if you were told you had to leave your friends and neighbors and live in a strange community and then learn that you had to live your life in a restricted way, ever conscious of being considered different and potentially dangerous? What would you do if you were made to feel ashamed of your own heritage?Jennifer Maruno tells the story of young Michiko Minagawa and her family, uprooted in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and subjected to the inhumane and insensitive security protocol of the Canadian government. Young readers will find out how Michiko manages to create a new community for herself and help her family to regain some of the respect and dignity lost at the hands of officials and loyal citizens. Michiko's story is one of a struggle through adverse difficulties. A struggle to live a normal life. Inspired by stories from her own family's lives, Jennifer Maruno portrays Michiko and her family and friends not as victims, but as survivors.....credits to their true heritage and to their wish to be free Canadians in the land they chose or the land in which they were born. Young Canadian readers will benefit from learning how Japanese-Canadians were treated by the government in the 1940's, hopefully leading to discussions of how to avoid ever having such a history repeat itself.Cherry Blossom Winter is full of wonderful characters and touches on many critical social issues . Readers will meet members of Michiko's family and community with differing sets of values. As much as it makes an interesting and enjoyable read, this book carries significantly more potential for learning in the hands of skilled, caring teachers who would encourage their students to explore a part of Canadian history many would prefer forgotten and to identify with the characters in it as they struggle to live their lives in a difficult time.

Ms. Maruno has again brought us a sensitive, thoughtful depiction of the discrimination and prejudices that divided people during World War II in her book, Cherry Blossom Winter, the second in the Cherry Blossom Series. Michiko, living under unfortunate circumstances in the Japanese Internment Camp in B. C., handles her fate at the hands of Canadian Government Officials with courage and optimism. I and my grandchildren and young friends are looking forward to reading the third book in the Cherry Blossom series.