Really well written book that focuses on the experience of Japanese Americans in Seattle, being sent to internment camps. Heart-rending, but ultimately hopeful. ( )

Dash by Kirby Larson is a story that is eye-opening for everyone. In the story, Mitzi is an Asian-American living in America during the time of Pearl Harbor. She faced bullies at school, her friends began treating her differently, and she was forced out of her home. Her dog, Dash, was her only friend. When she was forced into a Japanese internment camp, she was not allowed to bring her dog. An elderly lady named Ms. Bowker wrote her letters like they were from her dog. In the end, she gets to have her dog at the camp.
I think it's interesting that the story does not end with Mitzi returning home. It ends with her getting Dash back. I like that Larson chose to do that because this shows that this was a big problem that did not simply "end" all of a sudden. When we think of oppression of a race in America, most people automatically think of African Americans. This does not undermine that oppression, but it shows us another race that has a hard past in America. That is something that we really need to look at, especially as future educators. We need to be aware that all minorities have a difficult time in America due to the white ideals that poison our core. ( )

Mitsi is a young, Japanese American living through WWII after Pearl Harbor was bombed. This historical fiction novel (based on a true story) was a very interesting and informative read. Over the years, I've read countless WWII stories, most including what occurred on European soil. In this book for young readers, Kirby Larson shines a light on the terrible prejudices that took place on United States soil towards anyone of Japanese descent. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese American lives were uprooted when they were sent to internment camps, Mitsi's family included.
Overall, Mitsi's character is honest and loving, just like her relationships with her friends, family, and her dog, Dash.
The way she looked up and worried for her older brother Ted made me wish I had an older brother of my own.
This book also displayed how some people show their true colors in hard times. For example, her best friend Mags tried her best to stay true to Mitsi while Judy abandoned her.
Lastly, I appreciated the way Kirby Larson ended the book; I was hoping for an even happier ended but I understand why it concluded the way it did. I definitely recommend DASH to young readers. ( )

Taking place right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mitsi and her family are taken to an internment camp, and life there is pretty hard. Mitsi is most upset about having to leave her best friend home, her beloved dog Dash.
While I expected Mitsi to be extremely sad through the enter book, she showed a lot of perseverance and hope. I think a lot of that home came from the letters from Dash. I think that’s what kept her going.
With this book the author does a great job of letting the reader know about that time period and how a certain group of people where treated. This book was filled with both hope and insight. ( )

This book takes place during the time of the Pearl Harbor bombings and World War II. The main character is a girl named Mitsi Kashino, she loves spending time with her dog Dash. The bombing of Pearl Harbor occurs and all Japanese people are seen as a threat. Because of this Mitsi and her family are sent to an internment camp and she is forced to leave her dog behind. While in the camp Mitsi communicates with Dash through letters, this helps her stay hopeful that they will soon be reunited. While reading this book the audience gains a better and more personal understanding of what Japanese Americans went through during this time. The book also teaches lessons of staying hopeful and remaining positive even in the most difficult times. ( )