The Journal of Ben Uchida by Barry Denenberg

However, when Ben asks about it, Mike denies knowing him. Ben is very disappointed by this development since he had always disliked school and would rather play baseball.

By July, a make-shift school has been set-up for the children. The boys become friends after joining the same baseball team for their block. Meanwhile, Ben meets an older boy named Mike Masuda. Neither of the families are exactly happy about the living situation, but soon learn to make the best of their circumstances. Tashima, his sister Mitsuko, and his young son Jimmy. Next, they board a train and head to northern Californiaīen, his mother, and older sister Naomi arrive at Mirror Lake. The family sell most of their possessions and close Masao's store, where he had worked as an optometrist. Months after the attack, the Uchidas are informed that they are being sent to Mirror Lake Internment Camp, where a large number of Japanese-Americans will be forcibly detained along side them. The family learn later that he is being kept at Missoula, Montana. Ben's father, Masao, is almost immediately taken away by some government men. Now my face was the face of the enemy.' Plot įollowing the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the life of Japanese-American Ben Uchida is changed forever.

It never seemed to matter before, but it sure did matter now. But now I realized my face was different. Never once, even though most of them are Caucasian, except for Billy Smith, who's a Negro, and Charles Hamada, who's part Japanese, part jerk. I never thought I looked different from the other kids.

Dedication ' This book is dedicated to: Megan, Katie, Jasmyn, Beth, April, Henry, Nicole, Kristen, Freddy, Andrea, Kimberly, Valerie, Bette, Mary, Michele, Julia, Teddy, Amber, Amanda, Nadia, Amy, Annie, Bridgett, Krista, Hillari, Shannon, Elizabeth, Edward, Tracy, Allison, Melissa, Jade, Erica, Alyssa, Kelsey, Erin, Rachel, Jamie, Brittany, Samantha, Holly, Kniccoa, Victoria, Alexandra, Eric, Brianna, Shawn, Phillip, Peter, Don, Storrs, Jake, Kassy, McKenna, Molly, Jenna, Christine, Brodie, Sara, Robbyn, Jennifer, Kate, Kayla, Brooke, Sarah, Monica, Tommy, Sylvia, Sabrina, Craig, Tory, Bobbi, Alyson, Keri, Tara, Laurel, Aryn, Rhonda, Jessica, Lauren, Courtney, Leah, Andrew, Michelle, Rosemary, and all those who took the time to write.' Book description ' Tuesday, April 21, 1942

The Journal of Ben Uchida by Barry Denenberg