The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito [Paperback]

Sheila Garrigue (Author)

Book Description

During WWII, Sara is evacuated to live with her aunt and uncle in Vancouver. She becomes special friends with their gardener, Mr. Ito. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong, Japanese-Canadians are interned, but Sara's relationship with the Itos continues. "A gentle, haunting tale. . . . The message here is one of respect for diverse traditions, of hope, of reconciliation".--School Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 A gentle, haunting tale; a strong narrative with a long moral reach. During World War II, Sara, a schoolgirl, is evacuated to live with her aunt and uncle in Vancouver. The family gardener, Mr. Ito, a decorated hero of the Great War, becomes Sara's special friend. Mr. Ito encourages Sara to think for herself; introduces her to the concept of many paths to enlightenment; and teaches her to appreciate the continuity of life, which is expressed in the delicate but sturdy bonsai trees he tends. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong, Japanese-Canadians are persecuted and interned, but Sara manages to maintain her relationship with the Itos. Garrigue's characters are kind, bigoted, petty, warm, stubborn, capable of change. Sara's is a beautiful portrait: as she grows she becomes aware that the total cost of war includes the wreckage of the lives of "little people" as well as the dry statistics of battlefield reports. Characters and setting give a genuine feeling for the time and place. Sara's undercover adventure in the Itos' camp and her meeting there with her Japanese-baiting security official uncle are a bit much for readers to accept; yet, these things do not mar the story. A serious subject handled without the preaching which could overwhelm the plot. The message here is one of respect for diverse traditions, of hope, of reconciliation. Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, N . Y .
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689718098
• ISBN-13: 978-0689718090
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,740,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow what a book!, February 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito (Paperback)

This is agreat book. Anyone who is looking for a Historical Fiction book, this is great!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars should be a movie?, February 5, 2011

By 

Cameron DeVries (SANTA BARBARA, CA, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito (Paperback)

I would love to see a movie based on this book. It is one of the most touching books I've ever read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bosai and war, March 12, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito (Hardcover)

The Eternal Spring Of Mr. Ito
Sheila Garrigue
Japanese-Canadian fiction


"Namu amida butsu" is a prayer used in The Eternal Spring Of Mr. Ito. In the begging Sara goes with Mr. Ito to his garden because he has a surprise for her. Finally Mr. Ito shows Sara the 200 year old bonsai tree. The Japanese drop a bomb on pearl harbor. A lot goes on between these parts but I don't want to give away anything. Read this to find out what will happen to Mr. Ito and his family. Also see what goes on with sara and the rest of the family.
Mr. Ito is an old Japanese gardener. And loves his job. He is a very wise man. Mr. Ito was in the war with Sara's uncle. And is one of Sara's best friends. He has a wife and to sons. Mr. Ito is a kind and caring man. Find out what will happen to Mr. Ito. He is an important character to this story. For being close friends and well he is just important to the story. Sara is a british girl who moves to Canada. She seems to be a very agitated girl. She is close friends with Mr. Ito. She lives with her uncle,aunt, and to cousins. After being friends with Mr. Ito for awhile. She still manages to hate the japanese in the middle of the story. She is important to the story. For she is the narrator which of course makes her important.
I love the japanese and if you do to. I'm sure you'll love this book!The all around thrill and detail of this book is what got to me This book is funny,suspenseful, and sad,but some parts will leave your heart touched. Which is everything I love in a book. The Eternal Spring Of Mr. Ito will stay in your heart or mind forever. Over all this book is the best i've ever read. I would highly recommend it to anyone 10 years old and plus.