Major Theme:

family, friends, memories, courage

Summary:

7-year old Emi is a Japanese-American who lived in 1942.  When the war broke out between America and Japan, her family was forced to live in a concentration camp.  The story focuses on Emi's feeling of moving away from her best friend, Laurie; leaving her home, and realizing that memories remain in spite of all else.

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Describe Emi.

Why did Emi and her family have to move?

Do you think making Emi move was fair?

Question #4

Explain why or why not.

Question #5

Where was Emi's father?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

Why did Laurie, Emi's best friend, visit Emi's house?

How did the visit make Emi feel?
 

Explain a time when someone gave you something special to remember him or her by?

How did it make you feel?

Question #10

What happened to the bracelet during the trip?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Explain what Emi learned about the bracelet, her father, and Laurie.

Describe a memory of someone you don't see very much anymore or something you have done.

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Use beads, colored noodles, this yarn, or any material to create a "friendship" bracelet.  Give it to someone.

Pretend you are Emi.  Write a diary for the story.

Draw a comparison picture of Emi's house in Berkeley and the concentration camp.

Extension #4

Draw a picture of a gift you have received from someone.  Write a story behind the gift.

Extension #5