Dolls of War

Shirley Parenteau's 'Dolls of War' is a thoughtful historical novel for children aged 8-11, set against the backdrop of World War II. It follows eleven-year-old Macy James, who lives near the Oregon coast and cherishes Miss Tokyo, a Japanese Friendship Doll, as a link to her recently deceased mother. When the bombing of Pearl Harbor ignites anti-Japanese sentiment, Macy hides the doll to protect it, creating a profound internal conflict about loyalty, prejudice, and patriotism. The book sensitively explores themes of grief, bravery, and cultural understanding, making it an excellent choice for opening conversations about complex historical events and emotional dilemmas.

When America and Japan go to war, will Macy’s feelings for her beloved Japanese Friendship Doll change? A moving addition to the Friendship Dolls series. In 1941, eleven-year-old Macy James lives near the Oregon coast with her father, the director of a small museum. Miss Tokyo, one of fifty-eight exquisite friendship dolls given to America by Japan in 1926, is part of the museum’s collection — and one of Macy’s most treasured connections to her mother, who recently passed away. When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, many of Macy’s neighbors demand that Miss Tokyo be destroyed. Macy promised her mother that she would take care of the doll, so against her father’s wishes Macy hides Miss Tokyo to keep her safe. But when her brother joins the Navy and devastating news from the war begins to pour in, Macy starts having doubts — does remaining loyal to Miss Tokyo mean being disloyal to America? Bringing the story of the Friendship Dolls forward to World War II, Shirley Parenteau delivers another thoughtful historical novel inspired by a little-known true event.