Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook

This mock scrapbook envisions a WWII correspondence between two 14-year-olds: Dottie, a Japanese-American sent with her family to an internment camp, and her friend, Louise, who vows to document everything that happens in her absence. Louise fills the scrapbook with newspaper clippings, photographs, and diary entries, in addition to the girls’ letters. In one, Dottie describes life in the camp: “Our ‘homes’ are all attached in long lines, so we’re like horses in stalls (except horses don’t have to share their stalls)”. Louise visits Dottie, but then she’s relocated and, though they swear to remain friends, Dottie’s future is left open-ended. The girls’ moving stories should inspire readers to learn more about the history of internment. Ages 10–up. (Apr.)