A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

My Brother Sam is Dead... along with this book's interest level., 30 Nov 2007
My Brother Sam is dead is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read. Perhaps it would have been different if it were not an English reading assignment, but I doubt that I would ever actually read this book out of my own free will.

This book is set in a time you cannot relate to, and modern day young adults like myself will find it incredibly dreary. The main character Tim's obvious immaturity and stubborness is frustrating, and ultimatey results in poor character development on the author's part.

Over 120 children at my school are reading this book, and I have not talked to one that actually enjoys it, in fact, many groan when the time comes to read it.

My one warning is: if you are a teacher looking for a good book for your class to read, do NOT choose My Brother Sam is Dead, trust me, your students will thank you.

If you love dull, dreary, and deathly boring, you will love My Brother Sam is Dead.



Excellent book, 27 Apr 2001
I read this book to my 8 and 9 year old daughters and we all loved it. Great mix of fact and fiction.

EXCELLANT!!!!!!!, 26 Feb 1999
A college man runs off to join the army. Suddenly Sam's younger brother realizes he must turn against his brother or father. Sam is determined to stay in army and win the war. Sam coming from a small Tory town decides to join the rebels. He must leave his brother, father, mother, and girlfriend. He always tries to contact his brother and girlfriend and mother after his father dies on a prison ship. It tells of the struggles trying to run a tavern with a mother and 13 year-old boy. Just one thing the boy wants to rescue his brother from being killed by his own people.

This is the best book I have ever read!, 16 Feb 1999
I liked it because it was very exciting and I learned a lot about The Revolutionary War.I also learned how people lived in those days. I listened to the tape of the book. I thought John C. Brown did very well in reading the book. I think we should not fight in wars. We should just try to talk things out. I could relate to Timothy a lot because I am a Timothy too.

Great for International Students, 12 Nov 1998
I am using this book with my international students in an attempt to get them to read and learn about the Revolutionary War. These intermediate-level high school students are riveted and I have been quite pleased that they are in fact learning American history and loving the book.

Eddie can always smell onions in the air--the sharp bitter odour of hopelessness and anger that haunts the poor side of Fresno. "I had a theory about those vapours, which were not released by the sun's heat but by a huge onion buried under the city. This onion made us cry. Tears leapt from our eyelashes and stained our faces." Eddie tries to escape from the poverty and gang society that surrounds him by taking vocational classes and staying away from his old "cholos", (gang friends). But when his cousin is killed, his aunt urges him to seek out and punish the murderer. To avoid the pressure building in his neighbourhood, Eddie takes a landscaping job in an affluent suburb. But this too goes awry when his boss's truck is stolen while in his care. In the end, with his money gone and a dangerous gang member stalking him, Eddie's only choice is to join the military and hope that they can give him a better future than the one Fresno seems to offer.

There is no tidy closure--certainly no happy ending--to this bleak novel. But that is exactly what gives Buried Onions its strong, acidic flavour. Teens with a low tolerance for any type of pretence will appreciate Gary Soto's honesty in not trying to force a fairy tale ending. In spare but always striking prose, Soto has written an unrelentingly grim story that teens will savour because it rings true. (Ages 13 and older) --Jennifer Hubert, Amazon.com

A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

My Brother Sam is Dead... along with this book's interest level., 30 Nov 2007
My Brother Sam is dead is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read. Perhaps it would have been different if it were not an English reading assignment, but I doubt that I would ever actually read this book out of my own free will.

This book is set in a time you cannot relate to, and modern day young adults like myself will find it incredibly dreary. The main character Tim's obvious immaturity and stubborness is frustrating, and ultimatey results in poor character development on the author's part.

Over 120 children at my school are reading this book, and I have not talked to one that actually enjoys it, in fact, many groan when the time comes to read it.

My one warning is: if you are a teacher looking for a good book for your class to read, do NOT choose My Brother Sam is Dead, trust me, your students will thank you.

If you love dull, dreary, and deathly boring, you will love My Brother Sam is Dead.



Excellent book, 27 Apr 2001
I read this book to my 8 and 9 year old daughters and we all loved it. Great mix of fact and fiction.

EXCELLANT!!!!!!!, 26 Feb 1999
A college man runs off to join the army. Suddenly Sam's younger brother realizes he must turn against his brother or father. Sam is determined to stay in army and win the war. Sam coming from a small Tory town decides to join the rebels. He must leave his brother, father, mother, and girlfriend. He always tries to contact his brother and girlfriend and mother after his father dies on a prison ship. It tells of the struggles trying to run a tavern with a mother and 13 year-old boy. Just one thing the boy wants to rescue his brother from being killed by his own people.

This is the best book I have ever read!, 16 Feb 1999
I liked it because it was very exciting and I learned a lot about The Revolutionary War.I also learned how people lived in those days. I listened to the tape of the book. I thought John C. Brown did very well in reading the book. I think we should not fight in wars. We should just try to talk things out. I could relate to Timothy a lot because I am a Timothy too.

Great for International Students, 12 Nov 1998
I am using this book with my international students in an attempt to get them to read and learn about the Revolutionary War. These intermediate-level high school students are riveted and I have been quite pleased that they are in fact learning American history and loving the book.

I really appreciate Soto's gift and challenge!, 27 Nov 1997
Soto delineates nineteen-year-old Chicano boy who has no luck in his life despite his continuous efforts to improve it. In contrast to the serious plot, Soto's narrative tone is modest, restrained, and, at times, humorous, similar to less serious books he has written before, and his insight is vivid and precise. His challenge in this work has been triumphant!

A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

My Brother Sam is Dead... along with this book's interest level., 30 Nov 2007
My Brother Sam is dead is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read. Perhaps it would have been different if it were not an English reading assignment, but I doubt that I would ever actually read this book out of my own free will.

This book is set in a time you cannot relate to, and modern day young adults like myself will find it incredibly dreary. The main character Tim's obvious immaturity and stubborness is frustrating, and ultimatey results in poor character development on the author's part.

Over 120 children at my school are reading this book, and I have not talked to one that actually enjoys it, in fact, many groan when the time comes to read it.

My one warning is: if you are a teacher looking for a good book for your class to read, do NOT choose My Brother Sam is Dead, trust me, your students will thank you.

If you love dull, dreary, and deathly boring, you will love My Brother Sam is Dead.



Excellent book, 27 Apr 2001
I read this book to my 8 and 9 year old daughters and we all loved it. Great mix of fact and fiction.

EXCELLANT!!!!!!!, 26 Feb 1999
A college man runs off to join the army. Suddenly Sam's younger brother realizes he must turn against his brother or father. Sam is determined to stay in army and win the war. Sam coming from a small Tory town decides to join the rebels. He must leave his brother, father, mother, and girlfriend. He always tries to contact his brother and girlfriend and mother after his father dies on a prison ship. It tells of the struggles trying to run a tavern with a mother and 13 year-old boy. Just one thing the boy wants to rescue his brother from being killed by his own people.

This is the best book I have ever read!, 16 Feb 1999
I liked it because it was very exciting and I learned a lot about The Revolutionary War.I also learned how people lived in those days. I listened to the tape of the book. I thought John C. Brown did very well in reading the book. I think we should not fight in wars. We should just try to talk things out. I could relate to Timothy a lot because I am a Timothy too.

Great for International Students, 12 Nov 1998
I am using this book with my international students in an attempt to get them to read and learn about the Revolutionary War. These intermediate-level high school students are riveted and I have been quite pleased that they are in fact learning American history and loving the book.

I really appreciate Soto's gift and challenge!, 27 Nov 1997
Soto delineates nineteen-year-old Chicano boy who has no luck in his life despite his continuous efforts to improve it. In contrast to the serious plot, Soto's narrative tone is modest, restrained, and, at times, humorous, similar to less serious books he has written before, and his insight is vivid and precise. His challenge in this work has been triumphant!

Awful, 21 Mar 2004
This book was awful don't buy it or read it you would be wasting your money and time. It's boring nothing ever happens. I continued on reading it thinking that something would happen but nothing did.

excellent and heart rendering, 20 Dec 2003
it took me some time to grasp the story line but after the first few pages i felt i was there the watcher watching the same as wot she did, and at the end because i felt i was lliving it it had me in complete tears and deperation - extremly well written

Ohmigosh!, 17 Aug 1999
I read the last few chapters of this novel with opera swelling in the background, and by the time I was done, I was sobbing. It centers upon three characters which come together at the end of this very lyrical novel. Many of the thoughts these characters feel, I have experienced myself. Beautiful.

Sad but realistic, 14 May 1999
This short story talls about a girl who is emotionally damiged. Her summer on the beach is time of filled with the want for love and a family.Though you know little about her the regulures who watch her weekly as she sits on the top step that leads down to the beach and stares at thems feeling and judgments of her. One of the best stores of its kind for SURE. A must read.

This is a wierd but exelent book., 08 May 1999
This book is execent tale of two families having hard times. I enjoyed this book and thought it was great. Its has down to earth charactor and real life events.

A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

My Brother Sam is Dead... along with this book's interest level., 30 Nov 2007
My Brother Sam is dead is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read. Perhaps it would have been different if it were not an English reading assignment, but I doubt that I would ever actually read this book out of my own free will.

This book is set in a time you cannot relate to, and modern day young adults like myself will find it incredibly dreary. The main character Tim's obvious immaturity and stubborness is frustrating, and ultimatey results in poor character development on the author's part.

Over 120 children at my school are reading this book, and I have not talked to one that actually enjoys it, in fact, many groan when the time comes to read it.

My one warning is: if you are a teacher looking for a good book for your class to read, do NOT choose My Brother Sam is Dead, trust me, your students will thank you.

If you love dull, dreary, and deathly boring, you will love My Brother Sam is Dead.



Excellent book, 27 Apr 2001
I read this book to my 8 and 9 year old daughters and we all loved it. Great mix of fact and fiction.

EXCELLANT!!!!!!!, 26 Feb 1999
A college man runs off to join the army. Suddenly Sam's younger brother realizes he must turn against his brother or father. Sam is determined to stay in army and win the war. Sam coming from a small Tory town decides to join the rebels. He must leave his brother, father, mother, and girlfriend. He always tries to contact his brother and girlfriend and mother after his father dies on a prison ship. It tells of the struggles trying to run a tavern with a mother and 13 year-old boy. Just one thing the boy wants to rescue his brother from being killed by his own people.

This is the best book I have ever read!, 16 Feb 1999
I liked it because it was very exciting and I learned a lot about The Revolutionary War.I also learned how people lived in those days. I listened to the tape of the book. I thought John C. Brown did very well in reading the book. I think we should not fight in wars. We should just try to talk things out. I could relate to Timothy a lot because I am a Timothy too.

Great for International Students, 12 Nov 1998
I am using this book with my international students in an attempt to get them to read and learn about the Revolutionary War. These intermediate-level high school students are riveted and I have been quite pleased that they are in fact learning American history and loving the book.

I really appreciate Soto's gift and challenge!, 27 Nov 1997
Soto delineates nineteen-year-old Chicano boy who has no luck in his life despite his continuous efforts to improve it. In contrast to the serious plot, Soto's narrative tone is modest, restrained, and, at times, humorous, similar to less serious books he has written before, and his insight is vivid and precise. His challenge in this work has been triumphant!

Awful, 21 Mar 2004
This book was awful don't buy it or read it you would be wasting your money and time. It's boring nothing ever happens. I continued on reading it thinking that something would happen but nothing did.

excellent and heart rendering, 20 Dec 2003
it took me some time to grasp the story line but after the first few pages i felt i was there the watcher watching the same as wot she did, and at the end because i felt i was lliving it it had me in complete tears and deperation - extremly well written

Ohmigosh!, 17 Aug 1999
I read the last few chapters of this novel with opera swelling in the background, and by the time I was done, I was sobbing. It centers upon three characters which come together at the end of this very lyrical novel. Many of the thoughts these characters feel, I have experienced myself. Beautiful.

Sad but realistic, 14 May 1999
This short story talls about a girl who is emotionally damiged. Her summer on the beach is time of filled with the want for love and a family.Though you know little about her the regulures who watch her weekly as she sits on the top step that leads down to the beach and stares at thems feeling and judgments of her. One of the best stores of its kind for SURE. A must read.

This is a wierd but exelent book., 08 May 1999
This book is execent tale of two families having hard times. I enjoyed this book and thought it was great. Its has down to earth charactor and real life events.

Very Good, but one Complaint, 25 Jun 1999
I loved this book so much, next to Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, and the sequel to it, Chasing Redbird, Children of the River was my favorite book. I had to read it for school and usually I hate to be forced to read. I hate having a deadline, but I just could not put this book Down!!! I got burried so deep into it, I felt like I was there! I felt for the characters. The only complaint I had was that I wish that the author had given me a better ending! She left me hanging! I wanted to know more about what happened to her parents and sisters and brothers! I was left unfufilled and curious, and I was disappointed. In all other aspects though, I loved it!!!

Very Good When Read More Than Once, 20 Jun 1999
I will tell you the truth. I did not like the book at first. I was assigned it for a summer reading course in preparation for the 8th grade. But two years later i have actually sat down in my spare time to really read the book. I thouroghly enjoyed it this time. So give this book a chance. You may not put it down.

A VERY excellent book, 09 Mar 1999
I liked this book very much. It was very sad and romantic at the same time. I am also Cambodian but I did not know of the culture (because I was born in America) until I read this book. Anyway, I liked this book very much!

A suspensful must-read romance novel, 31 Jan 1999
Children of the River was a wonderful, romantic novel. I couldn't put it down. In school, a group and i read this book. We got a further understanding of it by engaging in a deep discussion. So i say that this book RULES!!! YA!!

Welcome to a new culture!, 09 Dec 1998
This book is a well-writen romance that really makes you aware of cultural differences. It shows the difficulty in moving into another culture; being torn between old traditions and having a new beginning. Children of the River puts you in the heart and soul of the characters, letting you feel the way they do and experience what they are experiencing. All young readers can identify themselves through this romantic story dealing with cross-cultures.

A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

My Brother Sam is Dead... along with this book's interest level., 30 Nov 2007
My Brother Sam is dead is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read. Perhaps it would have been different if it were not an English reading assignment, but I doubt that I would ever actually read this book out of my own free will.

This book is set in a time you cannot relate to, and modern day young adults like myself will find it incredibly dreary. The main character Tim's obvious immaturity and stubborness is frustrating, and ultimatey results in poor character development on the author's part.

Over 120 children at my school are reading this book, and I have not talked to one that actually enjoys it, in fact, many groan when the time comes to read it.

My one warning is: if you are a teacher looking for a good book for your class to read, do NOT choose My Brother Sam is Dead, trust me, your students will thank you.

If you love dull, dreary, and deathly boring, you will love My Brother Sam is Dead.



Excellent book, 27 Apr 2001
I read this book to my 8 and 9 year old daughters and we all loved it. Great mix of fact and fiction.

EXCELLANT!!!!!!!, 26 Feb 1999
A college man runs off to join the army. Suddenly Sam's younger brother realizes he must turn against his brother or father. Sam is determined to stay in army and win the war. Sam coming from a small Tory town decides to join the rebels. He must leave his brother, father, mother, and girlfriend. He always tries to contact his brother and girlfriend and mother after his father dies on a prison ship. It tells of the struggles trying to run a tavern with a mother and 13 year-old boy. Just one thing the boy wants to rescue his brother from being killed by his own people.

This is the best book I have ever read!, 16 Feb 1999
I liked it because it was very exciting and I learned a lot about The Revolutionary War.I also learned how people lived in those days. I listened to the tape of the book. I thought John C. Brown did very well in reading the book. I think we should not fight in wars. We should just try to talk things out. I could relate to Timothy a lot because I am a Timothy too.

Great for International Students, 12 Nov 1998
I am using this book with my international students in an attempt to get them to read and learn about the Revolutionary War. These intermediate-level high school students are riveted and I have been quite pleased that they are in fact learning American history and loving the book.

I really appreciate Soto's gift and challenge!, 27 Nov 1997
Soto delineates nineteen-year-old Chicano boy who has no luck in his life despite his continuous efforts to improve it. In contrast to the serious plot, Soto's narrative tone is modest, restrained, and, at times, humorous, similar to less serious books he has written before, and his insight is vivid and precise. His challenge in this work has been triumphant!

Awful, 21 Mar 2004
This book was awful don't buy it or read it you would be wasting your money and time. It's boring nothing ever happens. I continued on reading it thinking that something would happen but nothing did.

excellent and heart rendering, 20 Dec 2003
it took me some time to grasp the story line but after the first few pages i felt i was there the watcher watching the same as wot she did, and at the end because i felt i was lliving it it had me in complete tears and deperation - extremly well written

Ohmigosh!, 17 Aug 1999
I read the last few chapters of this novel with opera swelling in the background, and by the time I was done, I was sobbing. It centers upon three characters which come together at the end of this very lyrical novel. Many of the thoughts these characters feel, I have experienced myself. Beautiful.

Sad but realistic, 14 May 1999
This short story talls about a girl who is emotionally damiged. Her summer on the beach is time of filled with the want for love and a family.Though you know little about her the regulures who watch her weekly as she sits on the top step that leads down to the beach and stares at thems feeling and judgments of her. One of the best stores of its kind for SURE. A must read.

This is a wierd but exelent book., 08 May 1999
This book is execent tale of two families having hard times. I enjoyed this book and thought it was great. Its has down to earth charactor and real life events.

Very Good, but one Complaint, 25 Jun 1999
I loved this book so much, next to Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, and the sequel to it, Chasing Redbird, Children of the River was my favorite book. I had to read it for school and usually I hate to be forced to read. I hate having a deadline, but I just could not put this book Down!!! I got burried so deep into it, I felt like I was there! I felt for the characters. The only complaint I had was that I wish that the author had given me a better ending! She left me hanging! I wanted to know more about what happened to her parents and sisters and brothers! I was left unfufilled and curious, and I was disappointed. In all other aspects though, I loved it!!!

Very Good When Read More Than Once, 20 Jun 1999
I will tell you the truth. I did not like the book at first. I was assigned it for a summer reading course in preparation for the 8th grade. But two years later i have actually sat down in my spare time to really read the book. I thouroghly enjoyed it this time. So give this book a chance. You may not put it down.

A VERY excellent book, 09 Mar 1999
I liked this book very much. It was very sad and romantic at the same time. I am also Cambodian but I did not know of the culture (because I was born in America) until I read this book. Anyway, I liked this book very much!

A suspensful must-read romance novel, 31 Jan 1999
Children of the River was a wonderful, romantic novel. I couldn't put it down. In school, a group and i read this book. We got a further understanding of it by engaging in a deep discussion. So i say that this book RULES!!! YA!!

Welcome to a new culture!, 09 Dec 1998
This book is a well-writen romance that really makes you aware of cultural differences. It shows the difficulty in moving into another culture; being torn between old traditions and having a new beginning. Children of the River puts you in the heart and soul of the characters, letting you feel the way they do and experience what they are experiencing. All young readers can identify themselves through this romantic story dealing with cross-cultures.

It was delightful and entertaining!, 06 Aug 1999
This book was very enjoyable. I bought the book to give to my great neice. There is poem titled "God, Why am I brown?" My family has married a lot of anglo's so most of all our neices/nephews and the great neices/nephews are all very light coloring. But this one great neice came out dark with black hair. I feel pure joy and pride when I see her. But, she gets teased about being dark and has asked the question "why am I dark and the others are not". So when I read the poem, I knew I had to give it to her. It has given her pure joy. She is now OUR Aztec princess. She now has a good come back when asked why she is so dark. Thank you for the book. I hope you will publish more like it.

A Great Book, 27 Jul 1999
In this novel,the nisei drama is sincerely depicted by J.Okada. By penetrating the characters' inner life, we readers not only witness about the conflicts and difficulties they share, but also their struggle to find a way out of this vicious circle. Within this vicious circle there are significant characters like Ichiro (the protogoinst) and Kenji. Kenji served America during WWII. He lost one of his leg in the war, but also he lost his masculinity. However, what bothers him most is the feeling of being deceived by his country. Of course, what is behind of this is the idea of racism, and Okada carefully marks this point. However, things are not same for Ichiro. He refused to fight not only for US. ,but also on behalf of Japan. So he not only rejects both of the countries, but also their cultures. Not knowing where to belong he suffers throughout the book. He suffers complete alienation and psychological confusion because he is the victim of history. Thats where the essence of the situation begins for Ichiro. I bet you are going to love this character and you are going to be Ichiro, you will feel the agony, the logical and emotional torture he's been going through. I loved Ichiro and I felt sorry for Kenji. Kenji knew his end and he is a good friend, because he is the only character which directs Ichiro to the right path. To conclude, in this book you'll also find other concepts like language, religion, culture and customs which play a great role in the book. I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

A must-read if you're interested in U.S. society and history, 27 Jul 1999
I think the historical signifigance of this novel is enormous. It's a 'first-'hand' account of being Japanese-American during WWII. As an Asian-American and avid student of American history and politics, I found Okada's description of the time to be invaluable. Deconstructing his novel from a modern perspective, however, I do have one big gripe. The tone of the novel is restrained. I can sense the anger and somtimes read allusions into the rage, resentment, and sadness the protaganist Ichiro feels about the situation he is in. He also seems to give a lot of excuses and almost apologize for his unhappiness at times. Considering the time and racial climate in which Okada wrote, it's understandable that he tailored his work to be acceptable to a wide audience. And I'm also not surprised that Okada was reluctant to fully vent his anger at a country that still held so much power over, and animosity towards, him. However, those are not the only reasons. I think this is a real problem in Asian-American literature even today. Instead of self-censoring, mitigating, prettifying, or even apologizing for very natural and necessary feelings and sentiments (like Okada does in 'No-No Boy'), minority authors should fully unleash their voices. Otherwise the integrity of the work suffers and the work is does not completely realize its potential. There is a critical element missing. Having said that, I would still strongly recommend 'No-No Boy' to anyone who is interested in America: it's history, it's government, and it's people.

A novel that should be taught in schools more often!, 27 May 1999
In my AP English Literature class, I had a choice of reading any novel of "literary merit" I wanted, and to complete a 25 page analysis of the novel. Of the four books I analyzed in this way this year, No-No Boy was by far my favorite. I am caucasian, yet have always been interested in the dark side of America's role in World War II - the Japanese internment camps. This book is a vivid portrayal of one young man's suffering due to his decision not to swear loyalty to a country that had foresaken his rights as a citizen, and the consequences that result from this decision. Okada deals with a very touchy subject in this novel, for both the white and Japanese-American communities. Ichiro's self-inflicted punishment helps the reader to realize just how awful this experience was for the real No-no boys. This realistic portrayal is rather ironic, since Okada himself chose to serve the United States loyally in the army during World War II. Perhaps this novel was written from the side of him that related more to his Japanese roots than to his newfound American identity, and the guilt he himself must have carried when serving in the Pacific, telling Japanese to surrender in their own language. Okada also deals with a seemingly untouchable issue - that of the discrimination the Japanese-Americans themselves practiced toward other U.S. citizens, although they faced discrimination themselves. This adds to the truthfulness of the novel. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect to the novel is the all-American, happy ending that seems a little too contrived, although it must have been necessary for Okada to write the novel this way in order to gain any readers, because the novel's subject was so controversial at the time it was written. This novel should be taught in high schools and universities across the country, in American literature courses, and not just Asian-American literature courses. Now, multicultural education movements have succeeded in gaining the teaching of more women and African-American writers' novel, but Asian-American literature has still been neglected. The tolerance and understanding that students will gain from reading this novel should be evident immediately after one has read No-No Boy, even though the novel is enjoyable and is hardly preachy-sounding.

Touched my heart deeply, 16 Apr 1999
I have never been so affected by a book before. It amazes me that all the issues brought up in the book still pertains to today's Asian Americans. I found the writing to be honest and refreshing. It shows what happened to the Japanese Americans after the camps and how each were affected differently. I wish Mr. Okada would have received more recognition for his work. Maybe we can change that now.

This Book Is the BOMB! WHY? WEll,You Got To Read it to know, 26 Mar 1999
The No No Boy could have been one of the most asianized novel I have ever read. The fact that it's similar to the article in the reader, " READER ACROSS AMERICA CULTURES." He (Ichiro) was a character who felt like a coward because he didn't believe in himself. He did not know weather he was Americanized or Asianized because he did not join the War and felt like he wasn't a part of any culture. His mother was proud of him because he didn't jion the war, but he felt like he could do something about it, for his country and for himself. SO the novle is based on an indivisual guy with his own opinion about the things that happens around him and why he didn;t joint the war. I give this novel four stars and I highly recommend it.

My Brother Sam is Dead... along with this book's interest level., 30 Nov 2007
My Brother Sam is dead is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read. Perhaps it would have been different if it were not an English reading assignment, but I doubt that I would ever actually read this book out of my own free will.

This book is set in a time you cannot relate to, and modern day young adults like myself will find it incredibly dreary. The main character Tim's obvious immaturity and stubborness is frustrating, and ultimatey results in poor character development on the author's part.

Over 120 children at my school are reading this book, and I have not talked to one that actually enjoys it, in fact, many groan when the time comes to read it.

My one warning is: if you are a teacher looking for a good book for your class to read, do NOT choose My Brother Sam is Dead, trust me, your students will thank you.

If you love dull, dreary, and deathly boring, you will love My Brother Sam is Dead.



Excellent book, 27 Apr 2001
I read this book to my 8 and 9 year old daughters and we all loved it. Great mix of fact and fiction.

EXCELLANT!!!!!!!, 26 Feb 1999
A college man runs off to join the army. Suddenly Sam's younger brother realizes he must turn against his brother or father. Sam is determined to stay in army and win the war. Sam coming from a small Tory town decides to join the rebels. He must leave his brother, father, mother, and girlfriend. He always tries to contact his brother and girlfriend and mother after his father dies on a prison ship. It tells of the struggles trying to run a tavern with a mother and 13 year-old boy. Just one thing the boy wants to rescue his brother from being killed by his own people.

This is the best book I have ever read!, 16 Feb 1999
I liked it because it was very exciting and I learned a lot about The Revolutionary War.I also learned how people lived in those days. I listened to the tape of the book. I thought John C. Brown did very well in reading the book. I think we should not fight in wars. We should just try to talk things out. I could relate to Timothy a lot because I am a Timothy too.

Great for International Students, 12 Nov 1998
I am using this book with my international students in an attempt to get them to read and learn about the Revolutionary War. These intermediate-level high school students are riveted and I have been quite pleased that they are in fact learning American history and loving the book.

I really appreciate Soto's gift and challenge!, 27 Nov 1997
Soto delineates nineteen-year-old Chicano boy who has no luck in his life despite his continuous efforts to improve it. In contrast to the serious plot, Soto's narrative tone is modest, restrained, and, at times, humorous, similar to less serious books he has written before, and his insight is vivid and precise. His challenge in this work has been triumphant!

Awful, 21 Mar 2004
This book was awful don't buy it or read it you would be wasting your money and time. It's boring nothing ever happens. I continued on reading it thinking that something would happen but nothing did.

excellent and heart rendering, 20 Dec 2003
it took me some time to grasp the story line but after the first few pages i felt i was there the watcher watching the same as wot she did, and at the end because i felt i was lliving it it had me in complete tears and deperation - extremly well written

Ohmigosh!, 17 Aug 1999
I read the last few chapters of this novel with opera swelling in the background, and by the time I was done, I was sobbing. It centers upon three characters which come together at the end of this very lyrical novel. Many of the thoughts these characters feel, I have experienced myself. Beautiful.

Sad but realistic, 14 May 1999
This short story talls about a girl who is emotionally damiged. Her summer on the beach is time of filled with the want for love and a family.Though you know little about her the regulures who watch her weekly as she sits on the top step that leads down to the beach and stares at thems feeling and judgments of her. One of the best stores of its kind for SURE. A must read.

This is a wierd but exelent book., 08 May 1999
This book is execent tale of two families having hard times. I enjoyed this book and thought it was great. Its has down to earth charactor and real life events.

Very Good, but one Complaint, 25 Jun 1999
I loved this book so much, next to Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, and the sequel to it, Chasing Redbird, Children of the River was my favorite book. I had to read it for school and usually I hate to be forced to read. I hate having a deadline, but I just could not put this book Down!!! I got burried so deep into it, I felt like I was there! I felt for the characters. The only complaint I had was that I wish that the author had given me a better ending! She left me hanging! I wanted to know more about what happened to her parents and sisters and brothers! I was left unfufilled and curious, and I was disappointed. In all other aspects though, I loved it!!!

Very Good When Read More Than Once, 20 Jun 1999
I will tell you the truth. I did not like the book at first. I was assigned it for a summer reading course in preparation for the 8th grade. But two years later i have actually sat down in my spare time to really read the book. I thouroghly enjoyed it this time. So give this book a chance. You may not put it down.

A VERY excellent book, 09 Mar 1999
I liked this book very much. It was very sad and romantic at the same time. I am also Cambodian but I did not know of the culture (because I was born in America) until I read this book. Anyway, I liked this book very much!

A suspensful must-read romance novel, 31 Jan 1999
Children of the River was a wonderful, romantic novel. I couldn't put it down. In school, a group and i read this book. We got a further understanding of it by engaging in a deep discussion. So i say that this book RULES!!! YA!!

Welcome to a new culture!, 09 Dec 1998
This book is a well-writen romance that really makes you aware of cultural differences. It shows the difficulty in moving into another culture; being torn between old traditions and having a new beginning. Children of the River puts you in the heart and soul of the characters, letting you feel the way they do and experience what they are experiencing. All young readers can identify themselves through this romantic story dealing with cross-cultures.

It was delightful and entertaining!, 06 Aug 1999
This book was very enjoyable. I bought the book to give to my great neice. There is poem titled "God, Why am I brown?" My family has married a lot of anglo's so most of all our neices/nephews and the great neices/nephews are all very light coloring. But this one great neice came out dark with black hair. I feel pure joy and pride when I see her. But, she gets teased about being dark and has asked the question "why am I dark and the others are not". So when I read the poem, I knew I had to give it to her. It has given her pure joy. She is now OUR Aztec princess. She now has a good come back when asked why she is so dark. Thank you for the book. I hope you will publish more like it.

This is a very important book., 31 May 1999
I am 13 years old and this was a very important book for me. It was making a discovery that I was not alone and that somebody cared enough to write about my own life and my own world. This is a very real book and I would recommend it to anybody who wants to know what inner city life is like for young people today. I found all of the scenes very real and all of the characters could have been people I know.

A book about a group of gifted kids trapped in poverty, 07 Dec 1998
I gave this book 5 stars because Jess Mowry, author, did not forget who his reading audience was and he relied on using all of his knowledge of the ghetto. In the book a lot of slang was used and a lot of situations that only happen to kids in the ghetto. I really liked the book and I hope that Jess Mowry continues with this writing style, because I feel that he has the ability the attract teenagers who would normally not read books. I feel that Dante, Pook, and Wyatt are perfect for the tragedy of being stuck in the ghetto because they don't have the money or any connections to get them out.