Peace Is a Chain Reaction by Tanya Lee Stone

Peace Is a Chain Reaction tells a little-known story of World War II and how former enemies of opposite sides of an ocean came together in forgiveness.

Peace Is a Chain Reaction: How World War II Japanese Balloon Bombs Brought People of Two Nations Together by Tanya Lee Stone. Candlewick, 2022, 143 pages plus notes, index, and bibliography.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-15

War

Although born in California, and thus an American citizen, Yuzura Takeshita had spent some of his childhood in Japan because his parents had wanted him to appreciate his ethnic heritage. He appreciated it so much that he returned to America with mixed feelings—feelings that turned hard and resentful when Executive Order 9066 came down from President Roosevelt in February 1942. With only one suitcase each, Yuzura’s family were forced to leave their home and take up residence in cramped quarters in Tule Lake, Oregon. Steeped in bitterness, the young teenager lost faith in America and wished he could have stayed in Japan.

Three and a half years later, young Diane Shoemaker of Bly, Oregon, received terrible news. Her brother had just died violently, all because of the Japanese. Consumed with rage, Diane began plotting with her cousin to bomb the Tule Lake relocation center where Yuzura lived with his family. They didn’t get far with their plan, but anger simmered for years, until the day, 42 years later, when Diane met Yuzura for the first time.

Peace

World War II swept up nations and cultures and millions of people in a complex and tragic story, but this book teases out two encouraging threads. One involves the little-known tale of Operation Fu-Go, a bombing campaign carried out on American soil by means of hot-air balloons. The other tells how Yuzura Takeshita made his peace with America and later became a conduit of peace between people who had every reason to keep hating each other. “In war, knowingly or unknowingly, we are victimizers as well as victims”—peace is only possible through honest recognition of that fact and willingness to forgive. The story is well-told and encouraging, and a good reminder for anyone struggling with bitterness over unresolved pain.

Overall Rating: 4

Worldview/moral value: 3.75

Artistic/literary value: 4.25

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Also at Redeemed Reader

Reviews: My Friend the Enemy is a story of the World War II home front in which the Japanese balloon bombs play a prominent role. Dash and Paper Wishes take place in internment camps.

Reflection: Dorinda Nichols was six years old on the day Japanese zero planes dropped bombs on the naval base in her home town. She told her story in Pearl Harbor Child and expanded on it in her interview with us.

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