In the book, A Place to Belong, by Cynthia Kadohata, WWII just ended, and America has won. 12 year Hanako is impacted a whole lot. She has no absolute clue where she belongs. Japan? or America? In America, Hanako lost many friends because the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and because of her Japanese heritage, everyone is blaming her. After spending many years in the same prison as POWs (prisoners of war), Hanako and her family feel like America has betrayed them, who wouldn't? Hanako and her family soon embark on a journey to reach their grandparents who live in the countryside. Facing homeless, and even faceless, Hanako has to understand her family's needs. Kiyoshi and Michi - chan, these are two of the homeless children, wandering alone, with no parents, since the bomb struck. Hanako feels extreme sadness and wants help these kids, but she also needs to consider her own family. Black markets, hunger, work, survival, these are important things that most Japanese families and individuals believe in. After living in the countryside for a while now, Hanako's father is able to contact a very important and thoughtful man, Wayne Collins, to retrieve her parent's citizenship. Unfortunately, it might take for 5 - 30 years. Hanako's parent's make a stern decision affecting her and her brother, that will change their lives. While caring for others, to surviving in Japan, Hanako shows courage and proof that you can be thoughtful, even in deadly situations. Read, A Place to Belong, by Cynthia Kadohata, to find out what happens!
