The Friendship Doll

August 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-Larson brings her talent for historical fiction to this story of one of the 58 handcrafted, child-size dolls Japan presented to the United States in 1927 as a goodwill gesture. Fans of doll stories will be enchanted by the way Miss Kanagawa changes the lives of five children of varying circumstances over a span of decades and learns to feel love despite herself. The theme of being kind to others could come across as didactic in less-skilled hands than Larson's, but the initial contrast between the doll's moralizing, superior tone and her actual disregard for humans lightens the mood considerably. The story is not solely lighthearted, however; heavy topics such as death, grief, and aging are addressed in a straightforward yet remarkably affecting manner. The book's background is meticulously researched, with the era of the 1920s-'40s evoked through slang and radio-show references, and authentic Japanese cultural details are thoughtfully described. An author's note explains that some pivotal plot points are fictionalized, but the true story of the Friendship Dolls is so intriguing that readers may be moved to learn more. A little research shows that the author cleverly constructed the narrative to match Miss Kanagawa's real-life fate, a detail that will delight historical-fiction enthusiasts. The idea of a doll becoming more human through its interactions with children may not be wholly original, but that is part of the comforting appeal of this lovely tribute to a little-known piece of history.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
Grades 4-6 In 1927, Japanese schoolchildren sent the U.S. 58 dolls, which were viewed as ambassadors of friendship and were exhibited around the country. In Larson's unusual novel based on this event, an old doll maker wishes that his doll, Miss Kanagawa, will be awakened by the heart of a child. Starting with a chapter set in 1928, four stories follow Miss Kanagawa as she passes through four girls' lives, changing each child's life and, in turn, experiencing changes, too. The girls include wealthy Bunny and Lois, who lives with her desperate father in the Depression-era FSA camps; and with deftly handled historical detail, Larson touches on important issues shaping the world of each child, including the Depression, class and gender differences, and Pearl Harbor. The well-developed characters are appealing and distinct, despite the stories' brief lengths, and a concluding, contemporary fifth episode effectively wraps up the book. Elements of magic realism feel underdeveloped, and the individual stories vary in quality, but this is a book that will surely find fans. A fascinating author's note adds additional historical information.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)