In the early 1940's, Kenny's older brother, Micky, plays baseball for the Asahi team in Vancouver, BC. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, and its declaration of war against Canada and other countries, anti Japanese sentiment grew. Through Kenny and his family, readers see what happened and the impact it had on his family as they eventually end up in an internment camp. Kenny, who always been considered frail because of a suspected heart murmur, ends up coming into his own, and showing his family, his community, and himself, what he is really capable of.

I'm conflicted about this book. While it's well enough written, it is about the Asahi baseball team and Japanese internment. It's written by a white woman who teaches creative writing. It feels all wrong to me that she is even telling this story that isn't really hers to tell.
I'm waiting for feedback from some Japanese Canadians friends before I approve this book.

This is the feedback I got from my friend.
"Looks like she researched the Asahi's. she drops Japanese words and foods but she isn't Japanese Canadian. My grandparents and their generation didn't hug - not even family members. And they wouldn't have put up with a kid refusing to get better because he brought shame to his family. Kids of my dad's generation wouldn't have dared to wallow in self pity. Just the act of defiance would have been considered shameful. They did as they were told or they got cuffed or yelled at. The author doesn't know much about Japanese dance either. It's not like ballet - you rarely if ever wear geta to dance. You don't wear kimonos to practice either. The kimonos were made of silk and weren't washable. You also don't wear kimonos for the Obon dances. It's in the summer so one wears yukata which is made of cotton. Since you dance outside, you wear footwear."

I'm not recommending this one.