1978 - After moving in with her mother until her wedding, Patty Takeda discovers her mother's past after her mother is accused of the murder of a man from her past.
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1941- Lucy Takeda, a typical 8th grader, lives in Los Angeles with her mother and father, when World War II changes her life.
Her Japanese neighborhood is rifled with rumors of war. She feels the prejudice in school. She doesn't understand, she and her family speak English, have a business, vote. Her father soon falls victim to a heart attack and dies. The bombing of Pearl Harbor! The FBI arrive at the funeral service as take away the men. Soon after Lucy and her mother and other family and friends are rounded up and taken away. With only a few belongings and clothes, they are bussed to Manzanar - an interment camp for Japanese.
Life is difficult, little food, the weather is either very hot or very cold, there is little privacy. Adjusting as best they can, Lucy gets 'job' as a courier within the camp. She makes a few friends - especially a young man named Jesse. He remains a friend for life.
One day while delivering messages Lucy discovers where her beautiful mother goes every night. She and some of the other women are doing 'favors' for the guards to get more food and clothes for their families.In order for Lucy to not to have to ever do the same thing, her mother splashes boiling hot liquid on her face, disfiguring her.
Soon after, her mother commits suicide and Lucy is left in the care of camp nuns. After years in the camp Lucy is sent out into the world to work for her 'freedom'.
1978 - Lucy is walking Patty down the aisle.
Best part of story, including ending:
I like the 'truth' of the lives in the camp.
Best scene in story:
I like the ending when Patty finally understood her mother.
Opinion about the main character:
Lucy was a sad bitter woman and at first it made me not like her. But when I read her story, it changed my mind.
