Dogs of World War II

New from Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson, the moving story of a Japanese-American girl who is separated from her dog upon being sent to an incarceration camp 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 neighbor 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? Praise for Dash:Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical FictionA 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 JournalPraise 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." -- BooklistPraise 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." -- VOYAPraise 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 Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky; its sequel, Hattie Ever After; Duke; Dash, winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; Liberty; Code Word Courage; Audacity Jones to the Rescue; its sequel, Audacity Jones Steals the Show; and Dear America: The Fences Between Us. She has also cowritten the award-winning picture books Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival and Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle. She lives in Washington state with her husband and Winston the Wonder Dog. From DASHMitsi skirted around a puddle. It used to be that her friends thought Japanese things were nifty, like Obaachan's kimonos and celebrating Hina Matsuri. Last year, Judy and Mags had come over before the party to set out the hina dolls and help make the rice balls. Now, they were taking sides with Patty Tibbets. There wasn't a red umbrella big enough to shield Mitsi from that kind of rain. A few blocks from home, she passed some junior high boys hanging out in front of the Higo 10 cent Store, pretending to smoke candy cigarettes. "Hey!" One of them called out to her. Mitsi didn't answer. She kept walking. The boys followed. She walked faster. They walked faster. Mitsi ran. They ran. Right in front of the Nelsons' old house, Mitsi tripped and fell. Her book bag went flying. A boy in a plaid jacket snatched it up and yanked out Mitsi's report. "Aww. Iddin dat sweet? A paper about doggies." He ripped

Billie has lived with her great-aunt ever since her mom passed away and her dad left. Billie's big brother, Leo, is about to leave, too, for the warfront. But first, she gets one more weekend with him at the ranch. Billie's surprised when Leo brings home a fellow Marine from boot camp, Denny. She has so much to ask Leo - about losing her best friend and trying to find their father- but Denny, who is Navajo, or Diné, comes with something special: a gorgeous, but injured, stray dog. As Billie cares for the dog, whom they name Bear, she and Bear grow deeply attached to each other. Soon enough, it's time for Leo and Denny, a Navajo Code Talker, to ship out. Billie does her part for the war effort, but she worries whether Leo and Denny will make it home, whether she'll find a new friend, and if her father will ever come back. Can Bear help Billie- and Denny- find what's most important? A powerful tale about unsung heroism on the WWII battlefield and the home front.