Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Inspiration: The Biggest Heroes

     The Thursday's Children blog hop, hosted by Rhiann Wynn-Nolet gives authors a chance to talk about what inspires them. Since my first kids' book, What, No Sushi? was published this week, I'd like to tell you about the inspiration behind it.

     I was in fourth grade or so when I first heard about the Japanese-American internment camps. After Pearl Harbor was bombed in WWII, Americans of Japanese ancestry were forced by government mandate to leave their homes and settle in relocation centers where their activity could be monitored.

     My grandma was a beautiful girl when the internment began. My grandpa was a handsome young man and was eventually drafted into the 442nd, the Japanese-American unit that just happens to be THE most decorated of all American units coming out of World War Two.

     My grandma and grandpa are heroes. But do you know what makes them heroes? It's not the fact that they were poor victims of an unfair law that forced them to leave their homes against their will. It's not the fact that my grandpa was wounded in the war and to this day still receives recognition from the US government for his acts of bravery in combat.

    My grandma and grandpa are heroes because they chose to forgive. "It's just what happens during war." They are not bitter. They are not victims.

     They are victorious.

     I am so proud of my legacy, and there's no way I'm leaving this earth without telling my own kids my grandparents' courageous story. And so I wrote in, in fictionalized form, in What, No Sushi? This isn't a book about my grandma and grandpa. It's a book about an entire generation of Japanese-American heroes that we should all stand up and applaud.

     I can only hope that my legacy shows even a fraction of the bravery, courage, and forgiveness that my grandparents -- and their entire generation -- exemplify, and I hope that others are encouraged by their fictionalized story as recounted in What, No Sushi?

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Interested in What, No Sushi? Buy your own copy today! (Use this form for US orders. International readers can purchase a copy here.)


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Random Fact #8: Three years ago, I had a bout of laryngitis that lasted for six weeks - an experience I hope I never have to relive.

14 comments:

  1. Wow - what a heritage, and a lovely way to honour your grandparents and the many who found themselves in a similar situation.

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    1. Thanks Raewyn, yeah my grandparents rock, but you probably figured that out form the post. :)

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  2. Congrats on your book. I'm sure your grandparents would be both touched and proud. It's amazing what some people are able to rise above when it comes to life's unfairness.

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    1. Thanks for the congrats, Rhiann and for hosting the blog hop! Yeah, my grandparents are incredible people. I'm really honored to be able to share their story.

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  3. What an inspirational post. I love the way you define 'heroes.' Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Carla, and taking the time to comment!

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  4. I think the victorious of the past, especially if we can claim some relation to them, really do make one of the best sources of inspiration. I'm so glad you shared this!

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, I couldn't be prouder to be related to my grandparents!

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  5. Congratulations. And what a wonderful way to honor them. It is true, they are true heros. Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. Thank YOU Pat. I know my grandparents are very private, but I do hope they feel honored.

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  6. Your grandparents sound amazing and I love that you were able to write this book as a tribute to them, but to all Japanese-Americans who were unfairly imprisoned. Well done!

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    1. Thanks Chris, I have the book ready to mail to my grandparents today and am exceedingly nervous. I hope it does them, and their generation, justice!

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  7. I think it's a beautiful thing for you to have written the book and honoured your grandparents in this way. I love the fact that you're not only telling your own kids your grandparents story but sharing the bravery and selflessness of your grandparent's generation with a whole new generation.

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    1. Thank you so much Kate, that was definitely my goal. It's actually been really fun reading your Time Shifters WIPpets too and seeing all the similarities and all the differences in our time-travel stories. :)

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