Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook [Hardcover]

Beverly Patt (Author), Shula Klinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2010 | Age Level: 9 and up

German-American Louise Kessler, 14, starts a scrapbook when her best friend, Dottie Masuoka, leaves for the Japanese internment camps. Louise’s scrapbook includes items from her life “on the home front” as well as Dottie’s letters and drawings from the internment camp. Together, their intertwined stories tell of a friendship that even war cannot tear apart.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 5–9—In this appealing and accessible fictional scrapbook, 14-year-old Louise relates the experience of being separated from her best friend, Dottie, whose Japanese-American family has been relocated to an internment camp following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Through Louise's journal entries, Dottie's letters, and a variety of authentic-looking newspaper clippings, ticket stubs, and other artifacts, the girls' story emerges powerfully and believably. Readers sense Dottie's distress at her imposed exile, and her anger at being thought un-American. They observe Louise grappling with the injustice of it all, as she is ridiculed for her friendship with Dottie and her own family is targeted because of their German heritage. If the drama of the girls' separation isn't enough, a romantic subplot and the antics of Dottie's goofy dog (living with Louise in her absence) will surely keep young readers interested. This heartwarming tale of steadfast friendship makes a wonderful access point for learning more about World War II and Japanese internment.—Emma Burkhart, Springside School, Philadelphia, PA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Louise Krueger, 14, is devastated when her beloved best friend, Dottie Masuoka, is suddenly “relocated” with her Japanese American family to an internment camp in Washington State in 1942. Louise keeps a scrapbook with the girls' letters, her own journal entries, small photos, newspaper cuttings, wartime posters, and more. Though the format does look authentic, the handwritten material in different italic scripts can be difficult to read. Still, setting the intense personal story of friends and enemies against the big World War II events is a great way to tell the history. Dottie writes about living in cramped horse stalls with her family, including her grandfather, who is heartbroken that she is behind barbed wire. At school, Louise is attacked as a “Jap-lover” even as her brother enlists in the navy. Patriotism is an underlying theme, and readers will be drawn into the continuing debate about what makes a “real” American. Back matter features notes about true and fictionalized history, along with references and Web sites for suggested research. Grades 6-9. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 92 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761455779
• ISBN-13: 978-0761455776
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making History Alive, March 1, 2011

By 

John D. Lyle (Fairbanks, Alaska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook (Hardcover)

This book is simply brilliant. The layout, story line, editing, character development, the historical accuracy and sensitive nature of the topic makes it one of the best books I've come across in some time. I was very disappointed, however that I could only order 16 copies from Amazon. I intend to donate a copy to every elementary and middle school on Hawai'i Island. Maybe Amazon will find it possible to let me fulfill this goal and let me order more. How about it Amazon???

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visually beautiful, and tells the story well too, September 11, 2010

By 

M. Knapp "Maggie Knapp" (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook (Hardcover)

This book is a scrapbook-style story of a year in the life of Dottie and Louise, 14-year olds friends in Seattle in 1942. Dottie Masuoka's family was relocated to Camp Harmony; Louise is dealing with being called "Jap Lover" (and other things) at school. Visually gorgeous, with a well written story line as well. The book really looks like a scrapbook, with what appear to be yellowed newspaper articles, ticket stubs, hand written letters, puppy paw prints, and other ephemera taped inside. This would be a great book for a reader who already loves historical fiction, or something to visually entice a reluctant reader to jump into Dottie and Louise's world. The notes and bibliography at the end make this a great choice for classroom use as well. Fabulous work, Beverly Patt and Shula Klinger and Kristen Branch.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Story - well done, July 1, 2010

By 

Mary Sandford "Mary from Lisle" (Lisle, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook (Hardcover)

Great read. I cared so much about Louise and Dottie. There was a perfect mix of information and wondering that clearly depicted the plight of this friendship. The tone and actions and dialog was very true to the time period. While I wanted more, it was a perfect ending, leaving the reader with unanswered questions, just the way it was for everyone during WWII. And illustrations were amazing!