|So Far From the Bamboo Grove
Grades: Grades 7-8
In this memoir, Yoko Kawashima Watkins describes a Japanese family's
odyssey from Korea to Japan amid the havoc at the end of WWII. Forced
to abandon their home in northern Korea, eleven-year-old Yoko, her older
sister, and her mother are plunged into the horrors of war. They become
refugees, desperately trying to elude the Korean Communists and escape
to Japan. Although Yoko and her sister endure extreme hardships-including
the unexpected death of their mother-their strength of spirit enables
them to prevail. Symbolic of their victory is Yoko's winning first prize
in an essay contest in Kyoto, Japan. At the conclusion of the memoir,
Yoko and her sister are reunited with their brother Hideyo, who also
has managed to escape from Korea.
- Life Map.
So Far from the Bamboo Grove describes Yoko's journey from
Nanam to Kyoto and suggests her journey from childhood to young adulthood.
Invite students to create maps showing their own "life journeys."
Encourage students to select and reflect on the events that they consider
most important in shaping their lives today.
- What If?
Discuss with students the definition of "refugee": one who flees
in search of refuge, as from war or political opression. Have
students consider how their lives would change should they suddenly
become "refugees." Where would they go? What would they do? Who could
they depend on for help?
The Kawashimas must leave home fast, taking only what they can carry
in backpacks. If students were in a similar situation, what would
they take? Give them a time limit to make a list of items, including
food, that they would need for two days as evacuees. Then have them
discuss their lists. Challenge volunteers (with parent permission)
to pack their items and live out of their packs for one or two weekend
days at home.
- To Stay or Not to Stay ?
Yoko has a future to think about. Should she stay in school? Should
she drop out, if only temporarily, to aid Ko in earning the money
they desperately need? Let students help her decide. Have them create
a newspaper advice column in which Yoko writes for advice and student
"columnists" respond. If computer facilities are available, students
can lay out and print their work in a newspaper format.
Point out to your students that Japanese people living in Korea became
displaced persons during World War II; instruct them to find out about
the experiences of Japanese-Americans in the United States during
these years. Tell them to use their research to write a comparison
and contrast paper, relating the experiences of both groups.
Instruct students to research modern-day refugee conditions around
the world. They can visit Amnesty International's website (www.refuge.amnesty.org)
or use other websites, the library, or textbooks for their research.
Challenge them to find an account of a family or individual with a
situation similar to Yoko and her familywho had to rely on their
own resources and strength of spirit to surviveand have them write
a report about the family or individual