Erin's Response to the Second Half of "Weedflower"

One of the quotes that struck me from the second half of the novel was when Sumiko wanted cheesecloth to protect her flowers and the author related to readers that "It always amazed Sumiko that no matter how poor grown-ups were, they always seemed to have enough money for gum or cheesecloth or whatever else a kid might want" (146). I think that this is yet another example of how much wiser Sumiko is than her years. Statements like this are made throughout the novel about things that Sumiko realizes that most children her age would not ever think about. And she is always so protective, like a mother, of Tak-Tak. She always tucks him into bed and almost always takes of his glasses and makes sure he is comfortable. Perhaps the war is making her grow up faster than she should or because she has had take care of her brother more since her parents died, or perhaps just because she is special, she shows much wisdom.

I thought that the scenes between Sumiko and Frank paralleled those with Vera and Alfred in Aleutian Sparrow. From the very beginning readers could see the connection between these characters and how they truly cared for one another. I thought it was so sad when Sumiko felt guilty for Frank's brother's death just because she was Japanese and the Japanese killed him. That was a heart-breaking moment in the novel. I also thought it was so sweet at the end when Frank gave Sumiko his mother's bracelet. Even in their parting, one could tell that neither wanted the other to leave, but that they both were doing what they thought best. Again, they seem so much older and wiser than their years.

I also saw another parallel when Sumiko talked of the basketball team they had at the camp. It reminded me of the baseball field in Baseball Saved Us because again, it was a refuge for the children to keep them out of as much trouble as possible and restore some sense of normalcy in them.

This book dispels several stereotypes that our culture has placed on Indians such as the tipis we think they live in and the long hair we think they must all have. In this way, Weedflower is a great read for children because in its subtle ways, these myths are dispelled. At first "Sumiko had thought that Frank and his friends might have been unusual, since they all wore their hair short. But so did these older boys" who played basketball for the Indian team (171). Even with such simple statements, this book promotes awareness of another culture, which I believe is crucial to understanding them!

Weedflower also deals with friendship. Just like in Because of Winn-Dixie, the young girl's friends may be somewhat unusual in that they are of all different age groups (and in this novel are also of different cultural backgrounds), but in the end, all that truly matters is friendship. Sumiko speaks of all those she will write to once she has settled into her new home and even says of Sachi: "Even if she lies, she's my friend" (256).

Another quote that stood out to me was "Together the Japanese had made the desert bloom" (235). After all that they had been put through--losing their homes, having their families separated, and leaving behind possessions, they still made the best of their situation. I believe that the lesson of perseverance through even the most difficult times is a great lesson for children to learn. This book teaches about an aspect of World War II that most people are not aware of, about stereotypes we place on other cultural groups, and about harsh conditions Japanese-Americans dealt with to the best of their abilities. Due to these things as well as the fact that this story is told from a child's perspective, a child who comes to realize that being un-invited to a birthday party really is not so important and that her life now parallels that of her grandfather many years before when he struggled to make a living in America, this book would be perfect for the classroom.