Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban

This quiet story takes us into the mind of a Japanese-American girl who finds herself an alien in her own country.

Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban.  Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2016, 175 pages + author notepaper-wishes

Reading Level: Middle Grades, 8-10

Recommended for: ages 8-12

Life is good for ten-year-old Manami, who lives on Bainbridge Island with her fisherman father and grandfather, mother, and (last but not least) best friend Yujiin, a loveable white pooch.  Though her parents were born in Japan, Washington is home to Manani—until that terrible day when the US government told her it was not.  However strange the experience of sorting out their possessions and  packing up all they can carry in one suitcase each, nothing prepares her for the last wrenching blow, when Yujiin is torn out of her arms: No dogs! That’s the rule.  Without Jujiin, the internment camp at Manzibar is nothing like home:

When I open my mouth to speak, the dirt no longer feels like sand.  It sticks to my lips and tongue.  It coats my throat so I cannot speak . . . I wish the dirt would cloud my eyes, too, so I would not see this place that is and is not my home without Yujiin.

The voice is muted, subtle and slightly formal, appropriate for young girl whose first language is not English.  The plot is subdued also—most of the historical context is supplied in the author note.  We are allowed to know only what Manami knows.  Though much is unspoken, what comes through are her feelings, especially confusion and sorrow for her past life that was so abruptly taken away.  For her lost voice, Manani substitutes pictures she draws and feeds to the ever-present wind—all cries for the past to come back.  The ending does not restore her former happiness but it offers a substitute that may be just as good.  Or even better.  Life can be like that, sometimes.

Cautions: Violence (gang incidents in the internment camp; not graphic)

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

  • Worldview/moral value: 3.5
  • Artistic value: 4.5

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

FREE Bible Guide!

Get a guide to the Best Bibles for Children and Teens. Perfect for an Easter gift.

Janie Cheaney

Janie is the VERY senior staff writer for Redeemed Reader, as well as a long-time contributor to WORLD Magazine and an author of nine books for children. The rest of the time she's long-distance smooching on her four grandchildren (not an easy task). She lives with her equally senior husband of almost-fifty years in the Ozarks of Missouri.

We'd love to hear from you!

Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!

Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.