Falling into the Dragon's Mouth

February 15, 2016
A white American boy living in Japan faces serious bullying. Jason's family moved to Japan three years ago. Kamakura is an "out-of-the-way / seaside neighborhood / where hardly anyone / isn't Japanese," and Jason's "the nail / that sticks out / just waiting / to be hammered down." In school, he's matched with five unfriendly classmates to sit, study, and do school chores with for the next two months. They taunt, punch, and kick him, even whacking him with a broom handle, ostensibly for getting a word wrong or having an accent. The text subtly yet steadily ratchets up suspense by using line breaks and spacing instead of periods; the free verse hums with a sense of impending danger. Is it the bullies that threaten or something natural, like a coastal typhoon? At the crisis moment, Jason's sharp-as-a-tack younger sister leaps in to help, creating a satisfying culmination of their unidealized but deep and companionable relationship. It's unfortunate that Thompson once again (The Language Inside, 2013) chooses a white protagonist's viewpoint on Japan and that she doesn't provide him Japanese peers who are as strong as the bullies; there are certainly kind Japanese characters here, but they're mostly adults, leaving an impression of two bullied and heroic white American siblings amid hostile Japanese kids. Well-crafted and emotionally compelling, with a somewhat regrettable setup. (glossary, cultural guide, resources) (Verse fiction. 10-13)

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December 1, 2015

Gr 6 Up-Jason is an American sixth grader living in Japan. As a foreigner, he stands out and is relentlessly bullied by his classmates while the teacher turns a blind eye. His only refuge is in the practice of Aikido, where he learns to center himself. The themes of bullying, feeling isolated, not fitting in, and striving to change the system are familiar landscape for Thompson, and fans of her teen books-Orchards (2011) and The Language Inside (2013, both Random)-will relish her first novel for younger readers. The plot builds slowly at first as the characters and setting are established. Readers' patience will be rewarded as the tension mounts between Jason and the bullies who torment him, leading to a heart-pounding climax when the games almost go too far. The free-verse format suits the story well, conveying Jason's emotions powerfully in few words, allowing readers to fill in the unsaid and mirroring the way Jason uses stoicism as a survival method at school. Those with some knowledge of Japanese culture will feel at ease with the setting right away, and those looking for a window to another culture will be intrigued by the realistic depiction of Japanese school life. Thompson provides a helpful glossary and cultural notes at the end, and graceful ink brush illustrations add to the atmosphere. VERDICT This stirring read will especially resonate with those who have been bullied-it will let them know they're not alone.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

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