Kevin C. Pyle

In this graphic novel, the story of two young boys run parallel -- one a young troublemaker in a Chicago suburb, the other a Japanese-American in a World War II internment camp.

Although I appreciated the stories of both characters, I felt a little like the historical aspect was cheapened by the contemporary story.

I really liked the sepia-toned pictures of the WWI era story and the contrast with the blue tones of the suburban world of the kids. The story does lend itself to a profound discussion of how easy it is to make someone even slightly different into an "other." The Japanese-American store owner is interned as a boy, then made the prey of some teens looking for excitement. I thought the transformation of the boy who stole from him was effective -- not too much, but just enough.

An informative, entertaining look at the many things stupid adults have tried to keep kids from enjoying and experiencing.

Interesting parallel stories merge in a surprising way. The depictions of the internment camp are particularly powerful.