Dash (Dogs of World War II)

About this book

From Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson, the moving story of a girl and her dog separated during WWII.

Although Mitsi Kashino and her family are swept up in the wave of anti-Japanese sentiment following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mitsi never expects to lose her home — or her beloved dog, Dash. But, as World War II rages and people of Japanese descent are forced into incarceration camps, Mitsi is separated from Dash, her classmates, and life as she knows it. The camp is a crowded and unfamiliar place, whose dusty floors, seemingly endless lines, and barbed wire fences begin to unravel the strong Kashino family ties. With the help of a friendly neighbour back home, Mitsi remains connected to Dash in spite of the hard times, holding on to the hope that the war will end soon and life will return to normal. Though they've lost their home, will the Kashino family also lose their sense of family? And will Mitsi and Dash ever be reunited?

Reviews

Praise for Dash:

Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

*"Emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"[A] trenchant novel." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Historical fiction at its best." -- School Library Journal

Praise for Duke:

*"Exceptionally well-crafted and emotionally authentic." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"[An] incisive tale of loyalty, patriotism, sacrifice, and bravery." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A good example of how bravery comes in all shapes, sizes -- and breeds." -- Booklist


Praise for Dear America: The Fences Between Us:

"Larson deftly folds historical detail into Piper's lively diary entries, which describe her friendships, first romance, and school dramas as well as her view of the subsequent internment of Japanese Americans and the prejudice against sympathizers." -- Booklist

"Larson does an excellent job recreating the tension Piper feels. . . . [a] well-researched novel." -- VOYA

Praise for Hattie Big Sky:

A Newbery Honor Recipient

*"[An] engaging historical novel... [Larson] creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters." -- Booklist, starred review

*"Larson... create[s] a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Refreshing." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books