So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins

Yoko Kawashima, her mother, and her sister are living in Nanam, a city in northern Korea. When Korea becomes dangerous, Yoko and her family must return to Japan, hiding from both the Japanese military and the Koreans. Her brother, Hideyo, also tries to flee but he is separated from his family as he is employed at an ammunition factory because he can't join the army. The family experiences a difficult journey as they make their way to Seoul and to Pusan to take a ferry to Japan. When Yoko, her sister Ko, and her mother reach Fukuoka, they travel to Kyoto, as the mother had been educated there. She then leaves for Aomori to seek help from their grandparents. She returns to Yoko and her sister bringing sad news that both of their grandparents are dead. The mother dies on the same day, leaving Yoko and Ko waiting for the eventual return of their brother, Hideyo. Yoko's essay is later published in a newspaper, which helps Hideyo find them. A few months later, Yoko, Ko, and Hideyo are eventually reunited at Maizuru, and Hideyo tells his tale of how he escaped North Korea and made it to Japan.

This story could be used in a classroom along with Year of Impossible Goodbyes because the two stories are different perspective on a part of the war that very little know about. I think this story is a compelling one, but also has some controversy to it. There were some parts of the story that may be difficult for students to read, but I believe the best place to read about these things is in the safety of a classroom. I think it is important for these stories to be read together, rather then one or the other because then the class can get two perspectives.

This book can be read with 6th-8th graders. I think students may find some of it difficult to read, but will ultimately learn a lot from it. Controversial books like this are often the most exciting for kids to read. They can learn a little bit more about a time in our history that they are probably unfamiliar with. I think it is important for students to get different perspectives from books like these and know that they are not entirely factual. I am not sure if I would use this text in my classroom, but if I do, I will definitely use it with Year of Impossible Goodbyes