Dolls of Hope

September 1, 2015

Gr 3-6-Set in 1927 Japan, this companion book to Ship of Dolls (Candlewick, 2014) continues with the story of the Friendship Dolls project, an international exchange of dolls intended as a gesture of peace between America and Japan. When 11-year-old Chiyo disobeys her parents and sneaks along on a visit to see her sister's wealthy fiance, she is sent by him to an exclusive boarding school in the city to learn "poise and dignity." Chiyo misses her rural home and family and struggles with issues of class and economic status at her new school. She is also bullied by Miyamoto, the esteemed daughter of a prestigious military general, who vigorously opposes the doll exchange as a sign of weakness. When Chiyo, Miyamoto, and a few other girls are selected to sing at the doll welcoming ceremony in Tokyo, Miyamoto's bullying escalates, culminating in the destruction of Emily Grace, the American doll meant for their school. When Chiyo is blamed for the incident, her expulsion from school imminent, she runs away seeking help from a master doll maker. The conflict is resolved just a little too tidily. However, readers will find no trouble connecting with Chiyo, an endearing main character who is struggling to find her way in the world while conforming to societal mores and expectations. This work is also a fascinating look at Japanese culture and customs in the 1920s. VERDICT Doll aficionados, those who like boarding school books, and fans of the first title will not be disappointed.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
A companion piece to Parenteau's Ship of Dolls (2014), this historical novel explores the 1926 Dolls of Friendship international project, a gesture for peace between the U.S. and Japan, from the point of view of a girl growing up in Japan. Eleven-year-old Chiyo can't resist sneaking into Masako's marriage meeting to see her sister's future husband, Yamada Nori, for herself. Caught red-handed, she is sent to a girls' school far away in Tsuchiura. According to Yamada Nori, she will learn proper behavior and put her "hill country wildness behind her." If Chiyo does well and learns to model herself after Miyamoto Hoshi, a general's daughter, she can return home for Masako's wedding. Soon opportunity knocks. Together with her friend, Nakata Hana, and five others, Chiyo is selected to sing "The Welcome Song" during the ceremony in Tokyo to welcome the dolls from America. To everyone's surprise, Chiyo becomes connected to one doll, Emily Grace, setting off a pathway to self-discovery. Chiyo's struggle to live up to societal and gender-based expectations while also following her heart feels genuine and cheer-worthy. She questions the norm while respecting tradition, no matter how seemingly unfair. Her battles with Hoshi, however, appear one-dimensional, with a less-than-satisfying resolution between the two. Regardless, Chiyo's affection for Emily Grace fascinates, and the message of friendship and peace between nations endures, while a small-town girl's honor is redefined. (author's note, glossary) (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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