The story of Kimiko Murakami is one of resilience and spirit. Written at an appropriate and suitable level for young students, this story is a great introduction to biography and discovering how everyone has a unique story to share. The description of Kimiko and her family being taken away to a Japanese internment camp during the Second World War provides the opportunity for students to reflect on how healthy communities recognize and respect the diversity of individuals today, but it hasn't always been this way. As a part of the grade five Social Studies curriculum, learning about the racism and discrimination that Kimiko faced teaches students that Canada’s policies for and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies. In addition, students can make connections between their learning about rights and responsibilities and the rights that were taken away from Kimiko and her family in the face of discrimination.

Other End Matter: Historical timeline of Kimiko Murakami's life
Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Haley Healey is a high school counsellor, registered clinical counsellor, and the bestselling author of On Their Own Terms: True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island, Flourishing and Free: More Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island, and Her Courage Rises: 50 Trailblazing Women of British Columbia and the Yukon. A self-proclaimed trailblazing woman herself, she has taught in isolated fly-in communities, guided whitewater canoe expeditions, and plays the violin. She has an avid interest in wild places and unconventional people.

Haley Healey's profile page

Kimiko Fraser is an illustrator and historian-in-training. She grew up constantly making—drawing, painting, knitting, sculpting, bookbinding, etc.—and has never learned how to stop. She is the illustrator of Her Courage Rises: 50 Trailblazing Women of British Columbia and the Yukon. She holds a bachelor of arts (honours History, major Visual Arts) from the University of Victoria. She works with many mediums to create her illustrations, including watercolour, digital, ink, and tea. Most of her work is inspired by her interest in plants, history, and folktales.

Kimiko Fraser's profile page

“A book I wish had been available when I was a child, this gentle introduction to the indomitable Kimiko Murakami—whose list of “firsts” is impressive—and a dark chapter in Canada’s history, will hopefully inspire further reading and interest in the subjects. A worthy addition to any school library.”
–Chieri Uegaki, author of Suki’s Kimono and the award-winning Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin

“This inspirational story shines a spotlight on hope and the power of resilience in a time of struggle. Evocative illustrations and a touching narrative provide young readers with a poignant true-to-life tale about the resolve and spirit of one remarkable woman during a painful period in Canada’s past.”
—Deborah Hodge, author of West Coast Wild at Low Tide

“Brought to life through beautiful illustrations, Kimiko Murakami: A Japanese-Canadian Pioneer is an important Japanese-Canadian story of hope and perseverance that will inspire a new generation to continue the fight against injustice.”
—Jeff Chiba Stearns, co-author and illustrator of On Being Yukiko: A Graphic Novel

"Kimiko’s story of injustice and perseverance is heartbreaking, but at the same time inspiring. We need to keep telling the story of what happened to Japanese people during the war. I’m glad to see a strong Japanese woman like Kimiko is represented in a book like this.”
—Yukari Peerless, Writer and Japanese Cultural Consultant