Thorn Among the Roses

De: Steve Alcorn

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Pasadena, 1941. As war clouds gather across the Pacific, thirteen-year-old Aiko Tanaka clings to the promise of a new year—one she hopes will blossom with white petals, folded cranes, and the triumphant debut of her father’s float in the Rose Parade.

But after the attack on Pearl Harbor, everything changes.

Suddenly, Aiko’s neighbors turn cold. Her classmates look away. Her family is no longer just Japanese—they’re suspects. With her father’s business unraveling and arrests sweeping through her community, Aiko must decide what loyalty means, who she can trust, and how to hold on to beauty when the world sees only danger.

Told with quiet power and lyrical detail, Thorn Among the Roses is a story of quiet resistance, family devotion, and a girl who refuses to disappear.

For educators/libraries:

Set in Pasadena during the fraught final weeks of 1941, Thorn Among the Roses follows thirteen-year-old Aiko Tanaka as her family becomes the target of suspicion, fear, and exclusion in the wake of Pearl Harbor. Once proud to help her father design a float for the famed Rose Parade, Aiko must navigate growing prejudice in her school, threats to her family’s livelihood, and the quiet disappearance of neighbors—all while clinging to the values of artistry, honor, and cultural heritage.

Perfect for readers aged 10–14, this historically grounded novel explores the Japanese-American experience during the early days of World War II through the eyes of a young girl facing impossible choices. With vivid scenes, emotional depth, and a compelling protagonist, Thorn Among the Roses invites classroom discussion on topics including:
• Civil liberties in times of crisis
• Cultural identity and assimilation
• Prejudice and resilience
• Japanese-American incarceration

Includes authentic Japanese vocabulary, historically accurate settings, and author’s notes suitable for classroom or book club use.