UNDER THE BLOOD-RED SUN
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Salisbury, Graham. 1994. UNDER THE BLOOD-RED SUN. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 038532099X
PLOT SUMMARY
Tomi, a thirteen year-old boy, was born in Hawaii to parents who were born in Japan, but came to America to escape poverty. This story, set in 1941 in Hawaii, focuses on the friendship between Tomi and his best-friend, Billy, a haole (blonde-haired, white boy) before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Even though their family heritages differ, Tomi and Billy share many things in common, including the love of baseball. One morning, when they are out playing catch, they are surprised by jet planes attacking Pearl Harbor. At first, they think that it is a drill from the Army base, but then Tomi recognizes the Blood-Red Sun on the planes and they are terrified. After the attack, the United States declares war against Japan and Tomi's father and grandfather are falsely arrested and taken to internment camps because they are Japanese-American. Tomi is left as the man of the house helping his mother take care of the home, their finances and his little sister. With the help of his loyal friends from his baseball team, he makes it through some very tough times and realizes the value of true friendships and family relationships.
Tomi, a thirteen year-old boy, was born in Hawaii to parents who were born in Japan, but came to America to escape poverty. This story, set in 1941 in Hawaii, focuses on the friendship between Tomi and his best-friend, Billy, a haole (blonde-haired, white boy) before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Even though their family heritages differ, Tomi and Billy share many things in common, including the love of baseball. One morning, when they are out playing catch, they are surprised by jet planes attacking Pearl Harbor. At first, they think that it is a drill from the Army base, but then Tomi recognizes the Blood-Red Sun on the planes and they are terrified. After the attack, the United States declares war against Japan and Tomi's father and grandfather are falsely arrested and taken to internment camps because they are Japanese-American. Tomi is left as the man of the house helping his mother take care of the home, their finances and his little sister. With the help of his loyal friends from his baseball team, he makes it through some very tough times and realizes the value of true friendships and family relationships.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Salisbury created a setting in Hawaii during World War II where hints of anti-Japanese sentiment was growing. Prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, even though through Tomi's eyes, he was proud of his heritage, he also saw the need to ask his grandfather to not show his Japanese flag or other family heirlooms. As Tomi narrated this story, it was interesting to see this era through an eighth grade boy's eyes. His life seemed as normal as any other teenage boy. He loved playing baseball, listening to radio shows, playing with his dog Lucky and hanging with his friends. He enjoyed going fishing with his father and helping take care of his father's pigeons as well. Salisbury's use of dialect and language helped the reader to authentically connect with Tomi and his family. Hints of Japanese culture were mentioned throughout the book, but mostly the story showed how Japanese-Americans had thoughts and dreams and feelings just like everybody else, but that they had to overcome many prejudices because of the war. One afternoon as Tomi was coming home, Mr. Wilson (the man whose property they lived on and whose house his mother wokred in), stopped him and threatened, "Listen to this, boy....you people are walking on mighty thin ice around here. You tell your father I don't want to see anymore of that Jap crap around my place....you understand?" Poor Tomi didn't understand or know why Mr. Wilson was so angry at him, afterall, he was American too. Tomi's friends stood by him and helped him through very tough times. Tomi showed courage, honor and strength while his friends showed true loyalty. This story was intriguing and very emotional. The author followed a chronological timeline depicting life right before the attack and immediately after, describing the terror through children's eyes and adults' alike. "My God, Billy whispered,....this is for real!" as he watched the attack from the banyan tree.
Salisbury created a setting in Hawaii during World War II where hints of anti-Japanese sentiment was growing. Prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, even though through Tomi's eyes, he was proud of his heritage, he also saw the need to ask his grandfather to not show his Japanese flag or other family heirlooms. As Tomi narrated this story, it was interesting to see this era through an eighth grade boy's eyes. His life seemed as normal as any other teenage boy. He loved playing baseball, listening to radio shows, playing with his dog Lucky and hanging with his friends. He enjoyed going fishing with his father and helping take care of his father's pigeons as well. Salisbury's use of dialect and language helped the reader to authentically connect with Tomi and his family. Hints of Japanese culture were mentioned throughout the book, but mostly the story showed how Japanese-Americans had thoughts and dreams and feelings just like everybody else, but that they had to overcome many prejudices because of the war. One afternoon as Tomi was coming home, Mr. Wilson (the man whose property they lived on and whose house his mother wokred in), stopped him and threatened, "Listen to this, boy....you people are walking on mighty thin ice around here. You tell your father I don't want to see anymore of that Jap crap around my place....you understand?" Poor Tomi didn't understand or know why Mr. Wilson was so angry at him, afterall, he was American too. Tomi's friends stood by him and helped him through very tough times. Tomi showed courage, honor and strength while his friends showed true loyalty. This story was intriguing and very emotional. The author followed a chronological timeline depicting life right before the attack and immediately after, describing the terror through children's eyes and adults' alike. "My God, Billy whispered,....this is for real!" as he watched the attack from the banyan tree.
AWARDS
1995 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A BOOKLIST Children’s Editor’s Choice
1998 Hawaii Nene Award
1995 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A BOOKLIST Children’s Editor’s Choice
1998 Hawaii Nene Award
REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST:
"Salisbury spares few details--the fear, the horror, the sounds, the smells all envelop the reader as they do the characters. And so do the grief and shame. The Japanese embarrassment is palatable, and, of course, life is never the same again."-Frances Bradbury
PUBLISHER'SWEEKLY
"Torn between his love of all things American and the traditional ways of his parents and grandparents, a young Japanese American comes of age during the political upheaval of WWII."
"Salisbury spares few details--the fear, the horror, the sounds, the smells all envelop the reader as they do the characters. And so do the grief and shame. The Japanese embarrassment is palatable, and, of course, life is never the same again."-Frances Bradbury
PUBLISHER'SWEEKLY
"Torn between his love of all things American and the traditional ways of his parents and grandparents, a young Japanese American comes of age during the political upheaval of WWII."
CONNECTIONS
This historical fiction novel can open the door to many discussions and activities. The topics of war, patriotism, racism/prejudism, friendships, family relationships/dynamics, etc. can all be studied. http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440411390&view=tg
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