For the child grappling with unfairness or prejudice, this true story explores the unjust internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, highlighting resilience and identity.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is beginning to ask hard questions about fairness, prejudice, and American history. Through the true story of Shi Nomura, a Japanese American boy, this powerful photo-essay chronicles the unjust internment of 120,000 people during World War II. It directly confronts themes of racism, loss of freedom, and the struggle to maintain one's identity in the face of systemic discrimination. Best for older elementary and middle school readers, it provides essential historical context and a personal lens on a dark chapter of the past, making it an invaluable tool for conversations about justice, resilience, and what it truly means to be an American.
The book's central topic is systemic racism and the injustice of internment. The approach is direct, historical, and unflinching. It is a secular account based on documented events. The resolution is realistic: while the family survives and the U.S. government eventually apologizes, the narrative does not downplay the immense, permanent losses and trauma they suffered. The overall tone, however, is one of resilience and the endurance of the human spirit, making it ultimately a story of survival and remembrance, not just victimhood.
Ideal Reader
A 10-14 year old who is developing a strong sense of justice and is ready to grapple with the complex, often uncomfortable, truths of history. This book is perfect for a child who has started asking questions like, "Why do people hate other people?" or who is studying WWII in school and wants a more personal, human perspective beyond dates and battles.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of Pearl Harbor and the anti-Asian racism that was prevalent in the U.S. The book is filled with archival photographs of the camps, armed guards, and the living conditions. These images are stark and powerful. A parent should preview them to be ready to discuss the feelings they evoke. This is not a book to be read cold; it requires a thoughtful conversation partner. A parent has just seen their child react with outrage to an act of unfairness, either in the news, at school, or in a story. The child might ask, "How could the government do that? Isn't that against the law?" This book provides a real, historical case study to explore that exact question.
Age Experience
A 9-10 year old will likely connect most with the personal story: Shi losing his home, his dog, and his freedom. The emotional core of the injustice will be very clear to them. An older reader, 11-14, will be better able to grasp the larger political and constitutional issues. They can analyze the government's justification, the violation of civil liberties, and the irony of Nisei soldiers fighting for a country that imprisoned their families.
What Makes It Special
Unlike fictional accounts, Jerry Stanley's book is a meticulously researched photo-essay. Its unique power lies in the integration of a compelling personal narrative with a rich collection of primary source photographs. This combination makes the history feel immediate, tangible, and undeniable. It bridges the gap between a dry textbook and a purely emotional story, offering both historical depth and a powerful human connection.
Read plot summary
This non-fiction book uses the biography of Shiro (Shi) Nomura to tell the larger story of Japanese American internment during WWII. It begins with his family's typical American life in California, which is shattered after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following Executive Order 9066, the Nomuras are forced to abandon their home and business and are sent to the Manzanar internment camp. The book details the harsh conditions, the loss of dignity, and the ways families tried to create a sense of normalcy. It concludes with their release after the war and the long, difficult process of rebuilding their lives. The text is heavily supplemented with historical photographs.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The title of the book is 'I am an American.' Why was it so important for Shiro and other Japanese Americans to hold on to this identity, even when their own government was treating them like enemies?
2
Shiro's older brother Taro chose to enlist in the U.S. Army and fight in Europe while his family was still imprisoned in Manzanar. What do you think of his decision? What different feelings might he have been struggling with?
3
The book is filled with photographs from the time. Which photograph was the most powerful or surprising to you, and why? What did it make you feel or think about?
4
Near the end, the book mentions the U.S. government officially apologized and paid reparations decades later. In your opinion, can an apology and money make up for what happened? What does justice look like in a situation like this?
