Happy Book Birthday to UNBREAKABLE

This month, I'm featuring the picture book Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp, written by Minoru Tonai with Jolene Gutierrez and illustrated by Chris Sasaki. The release date (book birthday) for Unbreakable is April 7, but you can pre-order it now on Amazon. The story is based on Tonai's real-life experience as a Japanese American youth incarcerated with his family during World War II.

In my book, *Story Frames for Teaching Literacy*, Chapter 7 explores "From Story Writing to Expository Writing: Bridging the Gap With Narrative Nonfiction." The extensive back matter at the end of Unbreakable provides an engaging way to explore nonfiction features with students. These include: a timeline, bibliography, discussion of terms related to "incarceration," a Fact and Fiction section, a note from co-author Jolene Gutierrez about Minoru Tonai, and a note from Chris Sasaki about the illustrator's grandfather, who served in the 442nd Infantry during World War II. This was a special unit composed of second-generation Japanese Americans that was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service. 

These men bravely served their country even as many of their families were unjustly held in incarceration camps back home.

Next week, I will share a Story Frames Plot Analysis of the book and discuss a very different kind of Hero's Journey. Later this month, I will present an activity based on the narrative that explores the difference between phrases and clauses.

Last month, I explored several activities based on Phumirik's book, Happy Songkran Day, which will be celebrated from April 13-15. See last month's blog posts about the book HERE.

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