Dash Book Review

 A historical novel, featuring a dog!

Book Review #14, Dash

1.       Bibliography: Larson, Kirby. Dash.  Scholastic; 2016. ISBN: 9780545416368.

2.       Plot Summary: This historical fiction novel tells the story of Mitzi, a Japanese American girl who lives during WWII. She goes to a Japanese internment camp with her family, and is separated from her beloved pet dog, Dash. Luckily, her kind neighbor is able to take care of Dash for her and they correspond with letter writing.

3.       Critical Analysis: I have not heard of many children’s books that are set in a Japanese internment camp, so this will now be a welcome addition to my library collection. Kirby Larson uses the device of the dog character, Dash, to help draw in young dog loving readers. Although he is not a speaking character, he is the heart of the story, as he shares a strong bond with his young owner, Mitsi. Mitsi is a brave character, even in the beginning of the story. She is an elementary school student who suddenly loses her friends due to the anti-Japanese sentiment that occurred during WWII. Although her teacher is kind to her, it is difficult for her to understand why her best friends no longer wish to speak to her. Her bravery shows through with the fact that she still continues to go to school, even turning down an opportunity to hide in the nurse’s office. She also turns away one of her friends who wishes to give her a letter; she is too hurt to just let her friend back in to her life. She does not even realize how brave she is until another young girl she meets at the camp points it out to her. The other characters help support the story. Mrs. Bowker, her neighbor, kindly takes in Dash while she is at the camp. Before this, she is a kind and helpful character, always spending time with Mitsi and encouraging her. She also reveals that she did not speak up during past anti-German incidents in America, something that she regrets. This helps drive her need to support Mitsi. General DeWitt is also briefly a character, as Mitsi writes to him too. Mitsi’s family, including her fun-loving brother help to mold a typical American family that happens to be Japanese. Larson does a good job of showing this with the family- how they are really not so different than readers and their families, other than their cultural heritage. It helps to show all of our similarities. Dash helps to showcase the difficulty that Japanese Americans faced during this time period, all due to the Pearl Harbor incidents. It shows a wrong doing on America’s part, which has both historical significance, and also a value with political issues that are happening today. American again is anti-Asian due to the Coronavirus. It was not too long ago that Americans were anti-Muslim as well. These are good things for children to learn about and be exposed to. It can help them to learn how to form their own opinions of people, outside of race and politics. It teaches them that even though America is a great country, that it is not perfect, and there are people who exist here who have the power to do harm to others. The plot is realistic- it shows what a real family may have encountered during this time period. It also is suspenseful in keeping readers wondering what will happen to them. Will Mitsi and Dash reunite? Will she make up with her friends? Will her dad be able to return to his job? The setting feels authentic. There are a lot of details about Camp Harmony that make it realistic, including the Vienna sausage incident. The theme of bravery, love, and being true to your heritage all shine through in this book. Never once does it seem that Mitsi is embarrassed or ashamed to be Japanese. She always appears proud of who she is, just disappointed and hurt by what is happening. Her love for her family and Dash never stop. Larson based Mitsi and Dash on a real person named Mitsue and her dog, Chubby. The book was carefully researched, with lots of details from this time period, such as an old-fashioned soda counter that served up delicious treats, the cost of items, and how the school day was run. It reminded me somewhat of the American Girl books, but even more detail oriented and rooted in history. Overall, this book has become a new favorite for me. I am eager to share this one with students and educators.

4.       Review Excerpts:

·         From School Library Journal, “Historical Fiction at its Best.”

·         From Kirkus, “Exceptionally well-crafted and emotionally authentic.”

·         From Booklist, “A good example of how bravery comes in all shapes, sizes, and breeds.”

5.       Connections: Use as part of a display on World War II books, including the following other books:

·         Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk. Making Bombs for Hitler. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781338312836.

·         Gratz, Alan. Prisoner B-3087. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN: 9780545459013.

·         Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011. ISBN: 9780547577098.

·         Sepahban. Paper Wishes. Square Fish, 2017. ISBN: 9781250104144.

Teach children about Japanese internment. Websites such as www.history.com and Britannica can help. Children can also compare and contrast real events to the book.

Teach children about Japanese culture, possibly with a cooking demonstration.

If in school, use this book as part of a World War II history lesson to show the impact internment had on children and families.

Have children research the cultural make up of their own communities, to see what backgrounds people come from.

Take a scene from the book and turn it into a short readers’ theater play. Children can make the props, scenery, and put together costumes.