“Atkins and Yogi raise good questions…that will inspire a new generation of activists. This first book in the Fighting for Justice series is a must-read for all civics classrooms.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“An invaluable profile of a civil rights hero whose story deserves greater attention. Middle schoolers will take to the superb writing and original format.”—Laura Simeon, School Library Journal (starred review)
“Its appeal and user-friendly presentation are undeniable....Honors the legacy of an oft-forgotten champion of human rights in America.”—Booklist
“A new book about civil rights icon Fred Korematsu's fight against Japanese American incarceration wants to teach young readers to 'stand up for what is right.'”—Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, NBC News
“This timely history...describes the case and much more, serving admirably as a tutorial on civil rights, an introductory civics lesson, and a clarion call to action.”—Susan Faust, San Francisco Chronicle
“The relevance of the themes in Fred Korematsu Speaks Up in today's world is unmistakable.... This book gives young readers, their parents, and their teachers a suitable way to create a meaningful discussion of these important public policies that affect us all. Best of all, young readers might even be inspired by this book to take action to change public policy. Korematsu's is an important story and should be part of our national educational curriculum.”—Eileen Kurahashi, Los Angeles Review of Books
“Now’s the perfect moment for a civil rights refresher, which makes Fred Korematsu Speaks Up...right on time. Korematsu, an Oakland-born Japanese American who resisted internment during WWII, is given powerful treatment by authors Laura Atkins...and Stan Yogi and compelling images by Oakland illustrator Yutaka Houlette. Read it with a young revolutionary by your side.”—Linda Lenhoff, San Francisco Magazine
“Questions aim at getting kids to look at their own lives, and an activist spread gives kids tips about how they can get involved. ... The current political climate seems ripe for Korematsu's story.”—Marta Yamamoto, East Bay Times
“This story should be in every classroom.”—Rethinking Schools
“To the reader who is an immigrant, this is an empowering story. To the one who is not, this is the bridge to help him understand what it took for his neighbor, classmate, or friend to enjoy the same freedom today.”—Nathalie Mvondo, Multiculturalism Rocks
“We don’t inherit democracy; we create it. Fred Korematsu Speaks Up shows us how.”—Suzanne Enzerink, Public Books
“A rare gift for young readers and parents of young activists-in-the-making.”—Tamiko Nimura, International Examiner
“Quite delectable.... The book not only pays homage to Korematsu the man, but underlines the particular importance of his story.”—Greg Robinson, Nichi Bei Weekly
“Brilliant.”—Elizabeth Partridge, award-winning author of Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don’t You Grow Weary
“A powerful, nuanced book about a man who has had a profound impact on American civil liberties.”—Patricia Wakida, coeditor of Only What We Could Carry: The Japanese American Internment Experience
“Fred Korematsu Speaks Up has it all: a compelling storyline with an appealing hero, thorough and accurate background information that places his story in different contexts both historical and contemporary, and an inviting design that uses many visuals even those familiar with the story will not have seen. Easily one of the best nonfiction children’s books on any aspect of Asian American history.”—Brian Niiya, content editor for Densho
“This is a book for all the young people who deserve to feel the joy and power of making a difference in this world—and for the educators, parents, and grandparents who love them. How wonderful to see that no one is alone!”—Jane Kurtz, cofounder of Ethiopia Reads
“Korematsu's fight against discrimination is one of perseverance and a valuable lesson for us all.”—Adoria Williams, librarian at Jefferson School
“The authors and illustrator have given a gift to the world with their telling of this story, one which instead of needing to be ‘required reading’ will simply be devoured by young and old alike.”—Craig Wiesner, cofounder of Reach and Teach
★ 04/01/2017
Gr 4–8—A compelling blend of free verse, expository text, and artwork illuminates the life and times of Japanese American activist Fred Korematsu. Growing up in Oakland, the child of Japanese immigrants, Korematsu was a typical American kid, joining the Boy Scouts and dancing to big band music. Following Pearl Harbor, he refused to enter the internment camps, instead pretending to be Spanish Hawaiian. His eventual discovery resulted in imprisonment; censure from his family and fellow internees, who feared his noncooperation would make life harder for everyone; and a partnership with an ACLU lawyer. In 1944 the U.S. Supreme Court decided against him, deeming internment justified on grounds of national security. Korematsu lived quietly until the early 1980s, when his case was reopened due to evidence of government misconduct. This time he prevailed, paving the way for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Korematsu dedicated the rest of his life to advocating for social justice. This inspirational work hooks readers through a variety of formats, including dramatic illustrations and direct questions ("Have you ever been an ally to someone who needed help?"). Primary source documents vividly bring the period to life, while time lines and descriptions of contemporary struggles for equality by Chinese, Mexican, and African Americans, among others, offer meaningful context. An endnote provides suggestions for young people who wish to take action against injustice as well as a poignant statement from Korematsu's daughter. VERDICT An invaluable profile of a civil rights hero whose story deserves greater attention. Middle schoolers will take to the superb writing and original format.—Laura Simeon, Open Window School Library, Bellevue, WA
★ 2016-11-16
When Fred Korematsu, a young Japanese-American man, defied U.S. governmental orders by refusing to report to prison camps during World War II, he and his allies set in motion a landmark civil liberties case.Like any American, Fred dreams of marriage and raising a family with his sweetheart, Ida, a daughter of Italian immigrants. But after the attack on Pearl Harbor, wartime hysteria spreads, and Japanese natives and Japanese-Americans on the West Coast are ordered to prison camps. Knowing this is unjust, Fred changes his name and calls himself "Spanish Hawaiian" but becomes dismayed knowing others are imprisoned in camps. His identity ultimately discovered, he is jailed following his arrest for his refusal to report to the camps and there meets Ernest Besig, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union. Together, they begin a long and against-all-odds fight against injustice. Written in free verse, Fred's story engages in powerful bursts and shows how speaking out brings complex consequences. Enhanced with pictures and archival materials, well-researched and approachable historical essays interspersed throughout Fred's account offer context, while Houlette's reverent illustrations give humanity to Fred's plight. Co-authors Atkins and Yogi raise good questions (such as, "Have you ever been blamed for something just because of how you look?") that will inspire a new generation of activists. This first book in the Fighting for Justice series is a must-read for all civics classrooms. (resources for activism, note from Karen Korematsu, bibliography) (Blended nonfiction/historical fiction. 8-14)
