Dear Miss Breed by Joanne Oppenheim

Bibliographic Information:

Oppenheim, J. (2006). Dear Miss Breed. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction.
ISBN# 0439569923

Plot Summary:
Miss. Clara Breed was the first children’s librarian in the San Diego public library. During the 1930s and 1940s many of the families living in downtown San Diego were of Japanese ancestry. Many of the children from these families came to the library. Miss. Breed became close friends with many of these children and their families. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, the US government evacuated all people with Japanese ancestry from the west coast and housed them in camps predominately in the desert. Miss. Breed was not only concerned about the welfare of her young friends and their families, but she was also concerned with the growing hatred of all people with Japanese ancestry and the violation of these people’s rights. Through pictures, testimony, and numerous letters to Miss. Breed a compelling story is told of how these Japanese American children lived in these government internment camps.

Critical Evaluation:
Dear Miss Breed is another book that makes you stop and think after reading it. While I was aware that forced internment occurred, Oppenheim’s book brings the feelings of betrayal and hurt alive. By using letters written by children as young as six, the reader gets a clear picture of the inhumanity that occurred during this time in our history. It is amazing how the children manage to stay positive and upbeat most of the time in light of their circumstances. This book is very timely in light of recent current events. Feeling about Arab Americans were/are very similar to the feelings conveyed toward the Japanese Americans. I find it very sad that as a native San Diegan, I had never heard of Miss. Breed before. She, her sister Eleanor, and others like them were instrumental in helping to keep the Japanese American children connected to the outside world, showing them that someone cared. The book is well-researched with notes, a bibliography, index, photo credits, and an Appendix. My only complaint with the book is its size. Much larger than the typical book, it is more difficult to hold. It is a bit unwieldy.

Reader's Annotation:
Using testimony, interviews, research, and letters written to San Diego librarian Miss. Clara Breed, the author shows what young Japanese American children experienced and felt during their World War II internment.

Information about the author:
Ms. Oppenheim has written over 50 books, many of which have won numerous awards. She is considered “one of the country’s most highly regarded child development experts.” This book is the result of Ms. Oppenheim’s attempt at a high school reunion. One of her high school friends was interned during World War II. When Oppenheim discovered the letters to Miss. Breed, she knew she had to tell this story. Currently Ms. Oppenheim lives is New York City. She is married, has three adult children and seven grandchildren.

Genre: Informational, historical text

Curriculum Ties: History/Social Studies, ethics, political science

Booktalking Ideas:
• How would you feel to be judges solely on your ancestry?
• What is the difference between Issei, Nisei, Sansei, etc.?
• How does the children’s opinion of themselves change as their internment continues?
• What are Miss. Breed’s concerns about the children?
• What constitutional rights did Miss. Breed feel were violated?
• What reasons are given for the internment?
• Do you feel that the internment was justified? Why/why not?
• The author makes a distinction between evacuation, internment, concentration camp, prison, etc. What do you think the proper term should be? Why?
• Relate the events chronicled in the book to recent current events.

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest range given in the reviews is 11 – young adult.

Challenge Issues:
Discrimination, racism

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Eight positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on seven Best Book Lists
• Has received two awards

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~4H1Fp3:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.