Book Review: Dash

 Book Review: Historical Fiction

1. Bibliography:

Dash by Kirby Larson (256 pages)

Larson, Kirby. (2016). Dash. Scholastic, Inc.

2. Plot Summary:

This story describes the separation of a family and a dog. The historical aspect of this book is that it happens to a Japanese-American citizen who is sent to an internment camp during World War II. That story on it's own is astonishing, but the author is able to connect this story more to readers with the inclusion of the relationship with the family pet. Dash the family dog is just that, a companion. But, in the face of such racism and oppression, the comfort and warmth of that pet is needed. The loss to this family is great. They have been taken away from their life and their home. You follow the main character, Mitsi Kashino through this harrowing experience. She longs for the return of her dog but it is also the return of her life before the ugly head of racism showed its face to these Japanese-American citizen.

3. Critical Analysis: The author has a smart way of presenting the problem, but includes a thread of hope to keep the reader engaged. This is the neighbor that agrees to take care of Dash and continues to write Mitsi. This also lends to a theme that not all Americans agree with what is happening to the Japanese-Americans. This event is presented to the reader as a chaotic, confusing time. This thoughtful book will open up conversations on reflection of why this happened and how it can never happen again in the future. This book is a fabulous way to introduce this historical event to students in a way they can relate to.

4. Review Excerpt/s:

“Larson’s latest is historical fiction at its best.” —Sharon Lawler, Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee

"This emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking book will have readers pulling for Mitsi and Dash." - KIrkus Reviews

Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award

Capitol Choices Nomination

Horned Toad Tales Award

Nebraska Golden Sowers Award

NAPPA Gold Award

South Carolina Young Reader’s Choice Award

CBC Hot off the Press Featured Book

BEA Galleys to Grab

5. Connections:

Make connections to other dogs during war like the book Duke by Kirby Larson.

You can supplement WWII history lessons with this book describing the experience of a Japanese American girl and her dog during WWII.

Themes to teach alongside this book: Incarceration camps, internment camps. racism, WWII, the Japanese American experience during this time

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson.