Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu

A warm-hearted and honest glimpse at living between cultures during 9/11. The poetry's cadence isn't as crisp as other novels-in-verse, but I do very much like the story.

Ema doesn't fit. She's always felt like she didn't belong anywhere---not in her father's Japanese world or her mother's American world. Now she has a chance to have a companion in her doesn't-fit-ness; Ema's mother is expecting a baby. But Ema's mother is having problems with her pregnancy and the family is staying with Ema's grandmother, who Ema has trouble getting along with, and then 9/11 strikes....

A beautifully told story, of finding connection, of adapting to other people, of changing, show more of finding new ways to relate to others, written in poetry, a perfect choice for this story of a Japanese-American girl and her family. show less

This chapter book is great for students in 3rd- 8th grade. The author uses the young character Maya to life from her love for her family, cultural differences, emotion, and many more things that give us the perspective of this child. The book is great for students that are going through some uncertain times and hopefully gives students the message they need.