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Aleutian Sparrow
Aleutian Sparrow | Karen Hesse
4 posts | 7 read | 6 to read
In June 1942, seven months after attacking Pearl Harbor, the Japanese navy invaded Alaska's Aleutian Islands. For nine thousand years the Aleut people had lived and thrived on these treeless, windswept lands. Within days of the first attack, the entire native population living west of Unimak Island was gathered up and evacuated to relocation centers in the dense forests of Alaska's Southeast. With resilience, compassion, and humor, the Aleuts responded to the sorrows of upheaval and dislocation. This is the story of Vera, a young Aleut caught up in the turmoil of war. It chronicles her struggles to survive and to keep community and heritage intact despite harsh conditions in an alien environment.
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Tamra
Aleutian Sparrow | Karen Hesse
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A gem in verse about the 3 year relocation of Aleuts during WWII. They were all but abandoned by their own government in the foreign rainforest outside Ketchikan, AK; German prisoner of war camps in the US were better supplied and serviced. Those Aleuts that survived the camp returned to villages pillaged & destroyed by both bombs and occupying US forces. This is a shameful, little known part of American history.

[DELETED] 3803335244 There is so much that went on around the world during WWII so sad. A lot of the history books focus on one main topic, not hitting on everything else around the world. I‘m teaching my oldest kids about WWII, trying to teach a world wide view of events. So sad 😞 7y
Tamra @ForeverNerdy agreed! We get the big blurbs and that‘s about it. 7y
HKGirl Yes!! This book is so beautiful. But most people seem to have not heard of it, just of Out of the Dust. 7y
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Tamra @HKGirl I have that one TBR too! Agreed, the writing & subject is poignant. I tabbed several of the verses as I read. 7y
Anna40 I love the print! Is that a postcard or the book cover? 7y
Tamra @Anna40 it‘s the cover. It‘s a gem inside & outside. 7y
Tamra @ForeverNerdy is this something you would like your kids to read? It‘s short & easy read, or do you have enough to cover? 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Oh sweet Tamra your so kind. I‘m going to try to find at this little library they have here. We have a lot to cover but I‘m adding this. Hopefully I make it too it. We only take 1 month off during the summer. So I might read it over that month to them. 7y
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elizabethlk
Aleutian Sparrow | Karen Hesse
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Aleutian Sparrow was recommended in a lengthy blog post (written in dismay at the inaccuracy of a different work of fiction on the same topic), and happens to be by an author I have fond memories reading as a child. Library had a copy luckily.

Written in verse about the "resettlement" of the Unangax (Aleut) people during WWII, it makes for a beautiful read about an awful and off forgotten part of US history. Would recommend.

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Eggs
Aleutian Sparrow | Karen Hesse
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I've read many by Karen Hesse and intend to read more.

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