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Weedflower Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,784 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Twelve-year-old Sumiko feels her life has been made up of two parts: before Pearl Harbor and after it. The good part and the bad part. Raised on a flower farm in California, Sumiko is used to being the only Japanese girl in her class. Even when the other kids tease her, she always has had her flowers and family to go home to. Now, other Americans start to suspect that all Japanese people are spies for the emperor and Sumiko and her family find themselves being shipped to an internment camp in one of the hottest deserts in the United States. The vivid color of her previous life is gone forever, and now dust storms regularly choke the sky and seep into every crack of the military barrack that is her new “home.” Sumiko soon discovers that the camp is on an Indian reservation and that the Japanese are as unwanted there as they’d been at home. But then she meets a young Mohave boy who might just become her first real friend…. With searing insight and clarity, Newbery Medal—winning author Cynthia Kadohata explores an important and painful topic through the eyes of a young girl who yearns to belong. Weedflower is the story of the rewards and challenges of a friendship across the racial divide, as well as the based-on-real-life story of how the meeting of Japanese Americans and Native Americans changed the future of both.
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"This book really pulled me in. It takes place during the time when we are in war with Japan. Japenese in the US and put in camps that are filthy. Bad meals, bathrooms, and much more. A girl who has lost her parents and is living with her Aunt, Uncle and cousins tells this story. "
— Hailey (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Kadohata clearly and eloquently conveys her heroine’s mixture of shame, anger and courage. Readers will be inspired.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Kadohata combines impressive research and a lucent touch, bringing to life the confusion of dislocation.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko’s growth from child to young woman. She is a sympathetic heroine, surrounded by well-crafted, fascinating people. The concise yet lyrical prose conveys her story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience.”
— School Library Journal
Weedflower Listener Reviews
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" The story of a young girl from Seattle at an Arizona Japanese Internment camp. Topics are prejudice, growing up, Indians, stock flowers, gardening, family relationships. "
— Grandma, 2/10/2014 -
" This book is also about WWII "
— Isabel, 2/8/2014 -
" A young, Japanese-American girl is sent to an internment camp in Arizona during WWII and learns how to survive and thrive in hot, awful conditions. "
— Carol, 2/3/2014 -
" This book was a little 'younger' than I prefer to read, but it was interesting. It was nice to see another perspective since I recently read another book on this topic-- Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas. "
— Terrah, 1/23/2014 -
" This was pretty good. I think that it was an easy read. This book showed a lot of loving between 2 siblings. I can't really describe this awesome book because it's just too good. I recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction because it took place during WWII. "
— Ariel, 1/12/2014 -
" This book was yet another very good historical fiction read about a young Japanese girl and her struggles during World War Two. "
— Caitlyn, 1/12/2014 -
" LOVE LOVE LOVED it! What a great book about a topic that American History seems to avoid! The struggle to be a teen, a Japanese girl, accepted, and making friends...I really enjoyed it and HIGHLY recommend it! "
— Tracy, 1/6/2014 -
" This is a kids book for 5th grade and above. It is another internment camp story but feels fresher than Journey to Manzanar. A family at Edison Elementary had an uncle here. "
— Andi, 12/10/2013 -
" Liked how the story was told about how we treated Japanese-Americans during World War 2 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. A lot of lessons to be learned and this book helped teach those lessons. "
— Susanbarto, 12/3/2013 -
" Historical fiction - Japanese American internment during WWII "
— Mary, 11/9/2013 -
" Having a hard time getting into this one. Listening on CD. It got much better. It's the story of Sumiko and her family living in California in the 1940s. Their lives are affected when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. They face discrimination and are forced to evacuate their homes and move to camps. "
— Jacquie, 11/8/2013 -
" I love period books. I wondered the whole time I was reading this book if I would have been able to do what these people did. They were all very brave. "
— Melissa, 7/23/2013 -
" This was such a good book! I loved it! It was touching and amazing! I would recommend it to anyone! Way awesome book! "
— Maggie, 5/28/2013 -
" This book was really good. Cynthia Kadohata is a very good author and she did a wonderful job with Weedflower and Kira-Kira. "
— Zaria, 11/17/2012 -
" this was a pretty awesome book. "
— Connie, 9/17/2012 -
" Very interesting to see WWII from a different perspective. "
— Gloria, 8/15/2012 -
" This book is about a 12 year old, Japanese-American girl that is growing up on a flower farm in World War two. One Pearl Harbor is bombed, her family is sent off to a camp in Arizona. "
— Nicole, 4/27/2012 -
" Again I wrote a review for Cynthia's "Kira-Kira" and this was another one of her books I just adored because of all of the detail in how she tells her story. This really is a great book too. Make it on your list to read soon. "
— Taelor, 3/27/2012 -
" a great story about a japanese girl during WWII and the internment and prejudice she dealt with. she develops a friendship with an indian boy (mohave) at the camp, and they both discuss the different prejudices they both faced. "
— lola, 8/8/2011 -
" I enjoyed this book as a quick read but it wasn't real deep. "
— I-Shuan, 5/29/2011 -
" My mom reccomended this book to me. I was hesitant at first but in the end, I loved the book! "
— Grace, 5/22/2011 -
" This book is about a japanese girl living in the time of the bombing of pearl harbor. I gave it three stars because it is really sad and a little boring. "
— Jade, 4/20/2011 -
" Beautiful and I think a really good book for eleven year olds. Let's see what Sydney thinks! "
— Kendell, 4/17/2011 -
" Great perspective from teen Japanese girl whose family was forced to go to an interment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Similar to other historical fiction accounts I've read (Farewell to Manzinar, etc.). I think you all will like it! "
— Jody, 3/26/2011 -
" I loved this book but didn't like how it ended. "
— Mayra, 3/24/2011 -
" Made me want to cry!! :) I loved this book so much!! Although the beginning was a little slow, it picked up the pace further on ( but books are usually like that) :D. I was glued!! I also lurrved Kira Kira by her!!! Awesome author "
— Stephanie, 3/14/2011 -
" I have been looking for a book to read to my students about Japanese American internment during WWII, and this one is excellent. It is accurate and interesting, and provides a point of view I think my students will relate to. I can't wait to see what they think! "
— Sonicka, 3/5/2011 -
" This was pretty good. I think that it was an easy read. This book showed a lot of loving between 2 siblings. I can't really describe this awesome book because it's just too good. I recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction because it took place during WWII. "
— Ariel, 3/1/2011 -
" Not such a good book and it was boring! "
— Kendall, 2/22/2011
About Cynthia Kadohata
Cynthia Kadohata is the author of the National Book Award winner The Thing About Luck; several Newbery Medal winners, including Kira-Kira and Weedflower; and several critically acclaimed adult novels. She has published numerous short stories in such journals as the New Yorker, Ploughshares, and Grand Street. She lives with her son and dog in West Covina, California.
About Kimberly Farr
Kimberly Farr is an actress and winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She has appeared on Broadway and at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, and the American Place. She created the role of “Eve” in Arthur Miller’s first and only musical, Up from Paradise, which was directed by the author. She appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Lady from the Sea and has acted in regional theaters across the country, including a performance in the original production of The 1940’s Radio Hour at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage.