Weedflower

Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689865740

*Plot Summary

Young Sumiko and the rest of her Japanese-American family live on a flower farm in California in 1941. As World War II progresses and Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, the family finds themselves split up and on the move. Eventually, Sumiko lives in Arizona and learns lessons about dreams of the future and the power of friendship and family.

*Critical Analysis

In this beautifully written historical fiction novel, Cynthia Kadohata has created an intriguing cast of characters set in a turbulent time in U.S. history. She includes many historical details of the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. after the bombing of Pearl Harbor as well as the discrimination faced by Japanese Americans and Native Americans. Kadohata begins her book with “Acknowledgments” of many resources she used in writing the book. Also adding to the authenticity is the “End Note” which supplies facts about the many Japanese Americans and Native Americans who volunteered and fought during WWII. Finally, Kadohata’s reputation as a Newbery Award winning author adds to the reliability of the historical background of WEEDFLOWER.

Kadohata’s dedication to details is also evident in her development of the settings included in the book. Her writing style transports readers to very different settings. Beginning in California on the family’s flower farm, Sumiko’s home is both tranquil and rustic. For example, surrounded by carnations and weedflowers, she enjoys grading the flowers and preparing them to be taken to market; however, another chore she has is heating the bath water which the entire family uses, often for more than one day. Since Sumiko is always last to bathe she “could not remember ever taking a hot bath in a nice, steamy room.” Details such as these provide readers a glimpse into daily life on the farm.

Another key to setting is the backdrop of prejudice Sumiko suffers because she is Japanese. When she is shunned at a classmate’s party, the mother explains, “‘It’s not me, dear, but my husband has few friends in back…’” Finally, the author does an excellent job of conveying the harsh surroundings of the internment camp in Poston, Arizona. “The heat had been growing and growing, like when you light an oven and it keeps getting hotter.” Kadohata goes on to explain the small barracks so hot inside that many people slept outside under the stars. Thanks to attention to detail in the setting, readers gain a sense of both the beauty and hardships of the times.

Along with the setting, the memorable characters in WEEDFLOWER also add to the plot. Sumiko is a character full of dreams and questions about life. She hopes to someday run her own flower shop, yet she wonders if this dream is still possible considering her current circumstances. Kadohata effectively uses Sumiko’s lists of her thoughts and feelings throughout the novel. In her lists, Sumiko conveys her worries (what it felt like to leave camp “1. Like you didn’t know if people would let you into their grocery stores.”) to her frustrations (“1. They wanted us to leave California. 2. They wouldn’t let us leave California.”).

The author also portrays interesting relationships among friends and family members, including the one between Sumiko and her younger brother Tak-Tak for whom she feels a great deal of responsibility. Another unique character is their stern Auntie, the matriarch of the household. “She loved Auntie, and Auntie loved her, but Auntie did not like hugs. She liked worrying and working and scolding.” Kadohata’s descriptions such as this one allow readers access to secondary characters and to Sumiko’s understanding of the people in her life. These well-developed characters and realistic relationships along with the dramatic historical events move the plot along and keep readers attentive to the story. To her credit, Kadohata shows respect for her audience by portraying events in a realistic manner; beloved pets are given up, homes are lost, and families are separated indefinitely.

Despite the historic setting of the novel, similar to the familiarity of characters, the themes are also easily relatable. The idea of family strength is prevalent in the novel. Likewise, readers learn of the importance of friendship in Sumiko’s life. She discovers and values friendship in unlikely sources while in the internment camp, such as Mr. Moto, an aging neighbor, and Frank, a Native American boy living on a nearby Mojave reservation. Certainly, readers will relate to the themes of friendship and family. Finally, the theme of injustice plays throughout the novel, from the small scale (Sumiko’s mistaken party invitation) to the large scale (families being forced into internment camps and men fighting for a country whose full rights they do not enjoy). Kadohata does an excellent job of mixing historic details, great characters, and accessible themes to create a wonderful story.

*Response

I was instantly hooked on the characters and plot of this novel. As I read, I felt that Sumiko was a real person and that the hardships she and her family faced were unfair. Although I found the historical aspect of the novel interesting, it’s difficult for me to imagine this occurring in United States’ not so distant past. I feel like this book would work in the classroom in a variety of ways; as a read aloud or whole group novel study, independent reading material, or a great literature circle book. I look forward to reading KIRA-KIRA and sharing this novel with students in the future.

*Review Excerpts

“Kadohata again creates a sympathetic, believable young protagonist and a vividly realized setting.”
Horn Book

“Like weedflowers, hope survives in this quietly powerful story.”
Kirkus Review

“Kadohata clearly and eloquently conveys her heroine's mixture of shame, anger and courage. Readers will be inspired by Sumiko's determination to survive and flourish in a harsh, unjust environment.”
Publishers Weekly

*Connections

-Read in conjunction with a study of WWII in a U.S. history or social studies class.
-Do a character study of Sumiko and her relationship with one of the secondary characters.
-Discuss the history of racial prejudice in this country and connect this event to others in U.S. history.
-Make connections to the theme of family or friendship.
-Research the conditions of other Japanese internment camps.
-Create a journal written from the perspective of Sumiko.