Beneath the Wide Silk Sky

By: Emily Inouye Huey

Narrated by: Sophie Oda

Stunning, devastating, poignant: Debut author Emily Inouye Huey paints an intimate portrait of the racism faced by America's Japanese population during WWII. Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Sharon Cameron.

Sam Sakamoto doesn't have space in her life for dreams. With the recent death of her mother, Sam's focus is the farm, which her family will lose if they can't make one last payment. There's no time for her secret and unrealistic hope of becoming a photographer, no matter how skilled she's become. But Sam doesn't know that an even bigger threat looms on the horizon.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese airplanes attack the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. Fury towards Japanese Americans ignites across the country. In Sam's community in Washington State, the attack gives those who already harbor prejudice an excuse to hate.

As Sam's family wrestles with intensifying discrimination and even violence, Sam forges a new and unexpected friendship with her neighbor Hiro Tanaka. When he offers Sam a way to resume her photography, she realizes she can document the bigotry around her -- if she's willing to take the risk. When the United States announces that those of Japanese descent will be forced into "relocation camps," Sam knows she must act or lose her voice forever. She engages in one last battle to leave with her identity -- and her family -- intact.

Emily Inouye Huey movingly draws inspiration from her own family history to paint an intimate portrait of the lead-up to Japanese incarceration, racism on the World War II homefront, and the relationship between patriotism and protest in this stunningly lyrical debut.

©2022 Emily Inouye Huey (P)2022 Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved.

Such amazing characters!

I felt like I knew the characters. Like I was a neighbor or friend to Sam. They feel familiar and real. I’m a grateful for the enlightenment that this story has given me, and how I need to be more aware about the decisions being made for other people. It’s so tragic, and completely unnecessary

Everything

She was so detailed in everything and the book is just so amazing 🙌 I would recommend

Great historical fiction

Great historical fiction about events rarely written about. Japanese Americans perspective from the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the interment camps. Really well written. And a story of hope in dark times

Beautiful

This book touched my heart. It’s a story that needs to be told. I loved it so much and I highly recommend reading it.

Good book, good narrator

Loved the book. Emotionally poignant with short chapters and quick pacing. Paints a picture of an all too often ignored period in the United States.