Moon Bridge [Paperback]

Marcia Savin (Author), Savin Marcia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995

The friendship between San Francisco girls Mitzi Fujimoto and Ruthie Fox is changed when World War II begins and Mitzi and her family are forced to go into an internment camp.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Savin sets her first children's novel in San Francisco during 1942-1945 when Japanese-Americans were forced into internment camps to deflect possible espionage activity. Ruthie, a fifth-grader, is shocked when her best friend taunts new student Mitzi Fujimoto. After Ruthie defends the girl, she is ostracized as well and inwardly blames Mitzi for her troubles. But Ruthie and Mitzi eventually forge a meaningful alliance, until the Fujimotos are dispatched to an internment center. The girls correspond, but lose touch when Mitzi and her family are transferred to a camp in Arkansas. After the war, the two friends reunite and, though both are changed by their experiences, discover that their mutual affection remains. While the author's writing style is not particularly distinctive--and occasionally awkward phraseology disrupts the narrative flow--her book commendably depicts a shameful period in America's history. An afterword providing historical perspective may spark discussion among curious readers. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Fifth-grade Ruthie befriends fourth-grade Mitzi in San Francisco just as America enters World War II. Anti-Japanese feeling runs high, and both girls must struggle against blind prejudice (Mitzi is Japanese-American). Though loving detail of both time and place firmly anchor this novel in history, it is basically the story of a friendship that grows through adversity. At first a bit reluctantly, later with increasing courage, Ruthie defends Mitzi when she is taunted by bigoted and belligerent classmates. She loses her best friend, Shirl, in the process, but there are also a few pleasant surprises: a strict, disliked teacher turns out to have more moral fiber than a suave, adored one, and Ruthie's taciturn father proves an unexpected ally. Her wrestling with many principles is realistically portrayed with all the stops and starts of an 11-year-old, as she struggles with her own feelings of right and wrong, indignation and guilt, hope and impotence. Savin's style is graceful and her dialogue highly believable, as is her psychological acuity in character development. Mitzi and her family's internment is devastating for both girls. Yoshiko Uchida's Journey to Topaz (Creative Arts, 1985) and Journey Home (Aladdin, 1982) tell of this blot on American history from the viewpoint of one of its victims. Savin gives us the standpoint of the friends of conscience who endeavor to maintain the friendship despite the overwhelming forces of society. As such, it makes a fine complement to Uchida's classics. --John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590437658
• ISBN-13: 978-0590437653
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,060,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book For 4th-6th Graders With Feeling & Historical Fact, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moon Bridge (Turtleback)

Ruthie and Mitzi become best friends despite the fact that Mitzi is considered an enemy, particularly since the Pearl Harbor bombing. Ruthie wants to be part of the crowd but is determined to be a friend to an outsider. Mitzi, an American of Japanese descent, is close to her family but lonely for other friendships. Mitzi and her family are forced to leave town and are placed in an interment camp. Ruthie writes to Mitzi, promising to meet again at the 'Moon Bridge' in the Tea Garden. Both girls are scared and concerned for each other. This book portrays values and is also educational. Girls in this age group would probably enjoy this book more than boys would but it could lead to conversation about the war, building an interest for them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An educational, yet interesting book., November 26, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moon Bridge (Turtleback)

I know, I know. If you hear "Read it, it's an educational experience" one more time, you're gonna hurl, right? Well, hurl away. Read it, it's an educational experience. Not only is it an educational experience though. I found this book to be a wonderfully real story portraying the treatment of the Japanese in America. Two young girls, one American, one Japanese, become extremely close friends. The two girls did almost everything together.....until all the Japanese were "escorted out of the city". The Japanese most certaianly were not escorted out of the city. They were forced to leave the city, taking very few belongings, and go to secluded areas. No one knew exactly where they had gone, and most people didn't care, considering the "Japs" traitors. Yes this story is educational, and you are guaranteed to learn. You are also guaranteed to enjoy the story and feel the emotions of the characters. Read away, and realize that "learning can be fun"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Moon Bridge, March 10, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Moon Bridge (Scholastic Hardcover) (Library Binding)

The Moon Bridge
Marcia Savin

The book was about how a girl comes to Ruthie's school and they become best friends. The book takes a sudden turn when the attack on Pearl Harbor happens. They are getting closer and hang out all the time. Ruthie's old friend, Shirl makes fun of Mitzi. Ruthie stands up for Mitzi. That's how they become friends. Just as soon as the are about to go into the sixth grade, Mitzi has to leave.
I liked this book because it's how a friendship lasted three years even though Ruthie didn't know where Mitzi was. The book that is related to this is, Under the Blood Red Sun, because it's also about Pearl Harbor. It is also about a Japanese boy and his American friend