Module 14- Aleutian Sparrow, Karen Hesse

Hesse, Karen. Aleutian Sparrow. New York: Margaret K. McElderry, 2003.

Summary
In 1942, Japanese forces attacked and subsequently occupies some islands along Alaska's Aleutian Chain. Fearing for the safety of the Aleut Natives, and also fearing insurrection among them, the U.S. Military relocated the natives to camps in southeastern Alaska. Conditions in the camps were frightening, even the German prisoner of war camps had better living conditions, and Americans in the nearby towns treated the natives with hostility.
Aleutian Sparrow is the story of Vera, daughter of an Aleut Native woman and a white man who was lost at sea. Living on the Aleutian Chain, Vera and her loved ones are happy and live in the manner of their ancestors. When they are relocated to the camps, everything changes. They experience many tragedies in the camps and live very harsh lives. Eventually the war ends and they are taken back to their islands which has been ravaged by the U.S. Army.

Impressions
The invasion of the Japanese and subsequent occupation of parts of Alaska is almost never talked about in U.S. History classes. I love that Hesse found a unique part of U.S. History and wrote about it in a unique form. The history behind the story is extremely interesting, but the novel itself lacks momentum and the reader is left disinterested. There are also some inaccuracies dealing primarily with things like Alaska weather, plant life, and geography, but if you're not familiar with the state, it wouldn't change the story for you.

Reviews
Abrams, L. George. Christian Science Monitor, 8/12/2010, pN. Retrieved November 29, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.
"Early in World War II, the native people of the Aleutian Islands were evacuated to relocation centers 1,500 miles from their homes. In Aleutian Sparrow award-winning writer Karen Hesse uses poetic imagery to chronicle the story of young Vera as she struggles to survive and keep her heritage alive.
Warning: this story may break your heart."

Brabander, Jennifer M.. Horn Book Magazine, Jan/Feb2004, Vol. 80 Issue 1, p82. Retrieved November 29, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.
"Fans of Hesse's Out of the Dust and Witness may find this third historical novel written in free verse disappointing. Despite some deftly written entries, the novel doesn't provide a clear picture of either the young narrator (Vera, who's half-Aleutian, half-white) or the historical events (the relocation of hundreds of Aleuts during World War 11), Unlike Hesse's fully realized narrator in Out of the Dust, young Vera remains a cipher, with no layers of complexity to gamer readers' sympathy — even a budding romance fails to stir interest. Frustratingly indistinctive, Vera's voice sometimes sounds too adult (she asks her mother, "Remember… how we visited Akutan / And walked … to where / blossoms framed the steaming pools like / masses of perfumed hair?"). The spareness of the verse seems to have limited the amount of background information the author was able to impart — of crucial importance when tackling a subject so unfamiliar to most readers. Some of the poems are quite graceful, conveying much in just a few lines, but in general, the format of this novel-in-verse doesn't serve the author well, resulting in meager characterization and, despite its elemental story of oppression and survival, a surprisingly unaffecting plot."

Suggestions for Library Use

Again, this book is not particularly interesting, however, it discusses a chapter of history very seldom mentioned, especially not from a child's viewpoint. Thus, it would make a valuable piece in a display among the other few resources about the Japanese occupation of Alaska, or even the history of relocation camps in America.

November is Native Alaskan Heritage Month, and we have this book among others on display in my library.