Book Info:
Tallgrass
by Sandra Dallas
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 5, 2008)
ISBN-13: 9780312360207
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: My Shelves
Rating: 4/5
Tallgrass
by Sandra DallasPaperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 5, 2008)
ISBN-13: 9780312360207
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: My Shelves
Rating: 4/5
During World War II, a family finds life turned upside down when the government opens a Japanese internment camp in their small Colorado town. After a young girl is murdered, all eyes (and suspicions) turn to the newcomers, the interlopers, the strangers.
This is Tallgrass as Rennie Stroud has never seen it before. She has just turned thirteen and, until this time, life has pretty much been what her father told her it should be: predictable and fair. But now the winds of change are coming and, with them, a shift in her perspective. And Rennie will discover secrets that can destroy even the most sacred things.
I'm a sucker for books that are set in Colorado, and especially the Eastern plains. It always brings me just a little closer to the characters when I recognize and relate to the setting. I also love WWII fiction, so the subject matter and the setting made Tallgrass a must read for me.
My favorite thing about Tallgrass was the story was told through the eyes of a child. Rennie brings an open mindedness to the story that some of the adult characters understandably don't have. While she is uncertain about the Japanese in the camp, she is also willing to give them a chance. This allows her to see them as individuals and realize that they aren't so different after all.
Tallgrass is a story that brought out strong emotions in me. While I know that fear can make people behave shamefully, it saddens me that this same type of discrimination can easily be found today. If you are a fan of WWII fiction, I would recommend Tallgrass as a different view into how the war affected those in the internment camps and the surrounding communities. 4 stars
8 comments:
I've heard such good things about this book! I need to just read it!
I didn't know anything about those camps until fairly recently, and I was horrified. I do like WWII novels - I read more of that genre than about any else. I have a Sandra Dallas book, Prayers for Sale, on my iPod right now, and stopped listening after 1 disc. I should give it another chance maybe.
I am really glad that this book was such a good fit for you and that you enjoyed it so much! I am a little burnt out on WWII books right now, but this might be something I would read when the burnout fades. Great review!
I enjoyed the audio version of this book a lot. glad u enjoyed the book as well.
I've been wanting to read this and am so glad to read that you enjoyed it, Melissa. Thank you for your thoughtful review!
Great review. I've wanted to read this one for quite a while.
This sounds really interesting.
We posted your review on War Through the Generations.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
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