Kim/Kimi

Readers of Abby, My Love, I Be Somebody and Irwin's other novels will lose themselves in her latest in which she again focuses on serious issues that young people can recognize. Here, 15-year-old Kim Andrews is obsessed by questions about her father, Kenji Yogushi, who died before she was born. Secure in the love of her Irish-American mother, stepfather and little half-brother, Kim still needs to find about her lost heritage. The girl goes in search of the Yogushis to San Diego, despite her mother's sad report, that they had disowned Kenji for marrying against his father's wishes. Kim meets hospitable Japanese-Americans as she carries on her mission and learns how they and their familiesall loyal American citizenswere imprisoned during World War II, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Gaining understanding of Nisei customs and the injustices endured by her father's people, Kim fears but keeps a meeting with his mother and aunt, climaxing a drama that Irwin spices with naturally amusing episodes. Ages 12-up. (April)