Stealing Home - by J Torres (Hardcover)

About the Book

A gripping graphic novel that tells a boy's experience in a WWII Japanese internment camp, and the lessons that baseball teaches him.Sandy Saito is a happy boy who's obsessed with baseball --- especially the Asahi team, the pride of his community. But when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, his life, like that of every North American of Japanese descent, changes forever. Forced to move to a remote internment camp, he and his family cope as best they can. And though life at the camp is difficult, Sandy finds solace in baseball, where there's always the promise of possibilities.Through his experience, Sandy comes to realize that life is a lot like baseball. It's about dealing with whatever is thrown at you, however you can. And it's about finding your way home.

Book Synopsis

When a boy struggles after moving to a Japanese internment camp during WWII, baseball shows him another way to approach life.

Sandy Saito is a happy boy who reads comic books and is obsessed with baseball -- especially the Asahi team, the pride of his Japanese Canadian community. But when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, his life, like that of every other North American of Japanese descent, changes forever. His family is forced to move to a remote internment camp, and his father must spend months away from them. Sandy, his mother and his brother cope as best they can with the difficulties at the camp. Over time, Sandy comes to realize that life is a lot like baseball. It's about dealing with whatever is thrown at you, however you can. And it's about finding your way home.

In this emotionally gripping graphic novel, J. Torres has artfully woven a fictional story into a historically accurate, thoroughly researched account of the events surrounding the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. Using the approachable graphic novel format, the story of this grave chapter in North American history is gently told with sensitivity and insight, and the theme of baseball runs through the story as a message of hope and renewal. The time and place are evocatively rendered in David Namisato's detailed sepia-toned art. Along with its links to social studies and history lessons, this book offers a perfect lead-in to discussions about differences, inclusion and empathy, and about why this history is relevant today. The book includes extended background information in an afterword by Susan Aihoshi and resources for learning more.

Review Quotes

Stealing Home provides a moving and poignant portrait of the Second World War's impact on Canada's Japanese community.--CM Magazine

... it provides hope by showing young readers the dangers of enacting public policy based on fear as well as the importance of staying connected to others in our community.--Quill and Quire

A strong companion read to George Takei's They Called Us Enemy from the Canadian perspective, though aimed at a slightly younger audience.--School Library Journal

An emotional, much-needed historical graphic novel.--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

J. Torres is an award-winning writer whose other graphic novels include Alison Dare, Jinx, and Power Lunch. J. lives in Whitby, Ontario.