The 2009 Book Connection book selection is

When the Emperor was Divine.

Julie Otsuka visits HCC.

On October 20, 2009, Ms. Otsuka gave a reading and book signing at Howard Community College and another at the Howard County Library, East Columbia Branch.  Below are some photos from these events.

Ms. Otsuka speaks at HCC.	HCC draws a large crowd.
Ms. Otsuka speaks with audience members at book signing.	Ms. Otsuka and members of the Book Connection.

Where can I get the book?

The book will available at the HCC Bookstore in mid-February 2009. Please call for Bookstore hours, 410-772-4816, or order the book online at www.howardccbooks.com.  There are also a number of copies available at the HCC library and at the Howard County Library.

Julie Otsuka has a new story, “Diem Perdidi,” which aired on NPR’s Selected Shorts in early January. You can listen to a podcast of the story by clicking on the link below.  The recording is an .mp3 file.  There are two stories on this file, Julie's is about half way through the recording. Julie's podcast

Where can I find more information about the author/book?

Interviews with the author.

• http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/0902/otsuka/interview.html
• http://www.asiasociety.org/arts-culture/literature/when-emperor-was-divine-and-when-japanese-americans-were-rounded-up
• http://www.goldsea.com/Personalities/Otsukaj/otsukaj.html

Read an Excerpt from the book.

Book Reviews

• New York Times

Teacher Resources

• Study Guide (pdf format)
• Teaching Guide (Random House)
• Reader's Guide (Washington University in St. Louis)
• The Seattle Public Library

In the Cafe (an essay by Julia Otsuka)

Learn more about the historical time period.

• www.densho.org
• http://www.sfmuseum.org/war/evactxt.html
• http://www.blackpast.org/?q=perspectives/defending-nikkei-hugh-macbeth-and-japanese-american-internment
• http://www.pbs.org/itvs/thegoodwar/ww2pacifists.html
  

Relevant Books and Other Resources

• Home of the Brave - a book by Allen Say about Japanese Interment

George Tekei (Mr. Sulu of Star Trek fame):  "As told in his autobiography, To the Stars, published by Pocket Books in 1994, George was born in Los Angeles, California. With the outbreak of World War II, he and his family together with 120,000 other Japanese Americans were placed behind the barbed-wire enclosures of United States internment camps. George spent most of his childhood at Camp Rohwer in the swamps of Arkansas and at wind-swept Camp Tule Lake in northern California. George's family eventually returned to his native Los Angeles, which shaped his acting career. The motion picture studios -- their magical back lot sets visible behind tall fences -- were alluring presences. Every grammar school skit, junior high drama club, and high school play became a stepping stone to realizing his not-so-secret dream of becoming an actor."  (from http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.asp).

Jack Soo (Detective Nick Yemana from the show Barney Miller)  Jack Soo was born on October 28, 1917, as Goro Suzuki.  In 1941, Suzuki, along with his family, was interned at the Tanforan Assembly Center in South San Francisco and then at Topaz Relocation Center, Utah, along with thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II.  There, Suzuki, then in his mid-20’s, quickly earned a reputation as a popular “camp” entertainer among his fellow internees by singing and performing at events. He later received authorization from the U.S. government to leave the internment camps and later worked in military intelligence in Cleveland, Ohio.

Click the link below to view a photo essay prepared by some Literature students (school unknown)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMrctzZkSA&feature=related