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.

Everything

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

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

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.

Outstanding book!

This is a gem of a story. It is a moving historical fiction set in a dark time of US history, of which there are many and sadly more to come. We don't often hear about injustice related to Asian Americans, yet the experiences and feelings associated with prejudice, hate and anger are universal.

This piece brings this time to life with vivid clarity and humanity. Ms. Inouye Huey has mastery of transporting you into the thoughts and feelings of her characters. I highly recommend everyone read this book!

Achingly Beautiful

This story touched my heart in ways very few books ever have. It is beautifully written, emotionally evocative, and powerfully inspirational. I grew up 15 minutes away from where the story takes place and I had no idea of what happened so close to my home. Emily puts you right into the story. You can feel every emotion, from the horror experienced by the persecuted, to the fear and guilt that drove people to do the unthinkable. As much today as ever, this story should be required reading for everyone!

A must read

This book is excellent. Heartbreaking that our society treated people this way. I highly recommend the book. I listened to the audiobook

Relevant to today and what is happening with immigration

Important story and great that kids can read it and learn about this horrific time in our U.S. history. While it is for tweens, I found it interesting as an adult. The voice reading took time to get used to, but it grew on me. Author’s note at the end was important, too.

One of my favorite all time books

This story was beautiful. I recommend it to everyone I know! It easily became one of my top favorite books of all time. It’s such an amazing story and the narrator is amazing as well.

Fantastic

An excellent narrative weaved around a pivotal time in history. The narration is solid as well!

I admit the story made me very anxious, to the authors credit; she painted a picture of the injustices of the time and how a young woman might react to them perfectly.