Dear Miss Breed

Author: Joanne Oppenheim

In telling the story of Clara Breed, the children's librarian of the San Diego Public Library and her devotion to the Japanese American children, once her patrons, who are incarcerated in prison camps during World War II, Joanne Oppenheim reminds us not only of a shameful and pain-filled chapter in American history, but also how as individuals we can all make a difference. The story of this remarkable woman and her relationship with the young detainees is told through letters the children wrote, recent interviews and correspondence with the children-now grown- as well as news accounts from the war period. Dear Miss Breed is an accessible account of the Japanese Internment for children ages ten and up, and would be a wonderful guide to spark discussions about civil rights, freedom, war and Nikkei history in America. Thoughtful parallels can be drawn between the events in Dear Miss Breed and events in our own times.

Year Released: 2006

Grade 6-Adult