Music for Alice

The story follows Alice from her joyful high school days of ballroom dancing to the dark period of WWII internment. Alongside her husband Mark, she endures grueling labor in the sugar-beet fields of Montana before eventually establishing a massive, successful gladiola farm in California. The narrative spans her entire life, ending with her return to dance as an elderly widow. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with the systemic racism and injustice of Japanese American internment. The approach is direct and historical, highlighting the loss of property and freedom. It also covers the death of a spouse (Mark) in a secular, realistic manner. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges the passage of time and lost years. EMOTIONAL ARC: The arc is heavy and somper in the middle, reflecting the physical toll of labor and the emotional weight of injustice. However, it resolves in a beautiful, circular fashion where the protagonist finds peace and joy in her later years. IDEAL READER: An elementary student who is sensitive to historical unfairness or a child who enjoys stories about 'hidden' passions. It is also perfect for a child who has recently lost a grandparent and wants to understand the long, full life that person led. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after their child asks why people are treated differently because of their heritage, or if a child feels discouraged by a long-term struggle. PARENT PREP: Parents should be prepared to explain why Japanese Americans were sent to camps, as the book assumes some level of historical curiosity. The transition from the hardship of the fields to the success of the farm happens quickly and may benefit from pacing. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger children will focus on the 'mean' treatment of the family and the beauty of the flowers. Older children (9-12) will better grasp the bittersweet nature of Alice waiting until her twilight years to dance again. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many internment stories that end with the closing of the camps, this book shows the long-term resilience required to rebuild a life and the 'delayed' joy of a woman who put her family's survival before her own dreams.