Color of the Sea

book cover image

Color of the Sea by John Hamamura is an engaging story of survival through separation from family, WWII, and internment. It's the story of a young man trained as a samurai who moves from Japan to Hawaii to California. This novel is a 2007 Alex Award winner. There will be many opportunities to engage with this book and connect with others on campus.

Note: The author will be on campus for two free events on September 23, 2009.

Local Connections to the Story

  • Outstanding from KQED and KTEH on Japanese-American soldiers from the Bay Area who served in WWII - most are 30 minutes long
  • KTEH's - about Japanese-Americans returning to the Bay Area after internment during WWII; FAQ on the video and topic. There is an amazing amount of information, videos, and photos at this site.

Japanese Bombing of Pearl Harbor

  • The San Jose State football team was in Hawaii getting ready to play a game when Pearl Harbor was bombed

Information about Internment Camps

  • Information from Congressman Mike Honda:

US Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Martial Arts

Other Books You Might Like

  • by Jeanne and James Houston (91传媒厂 alums)

  •  by Julie Otsuka

  • Japanese American internment during World War II: a history and reference guide. By 91传媒厂 Professor Wendy Ng. Available in the King Library.

  • Understanding Asian Americans. Available in the King Library at E184.O6 U5 1990 MLK 6th and 5th Floors.

  • The Asian American Encyclopedia v. 1 - 6 in the King Library at E184.O6 A827 1995 MLK 6th and 5th Floors

  • Reference Library of Asian America v. 1 - 3 in the King Library at E184.O6 R438x 1995 MLK 5th Floor

  • Japanese American History: an A to Z Reference from 1868 to the Present in the King Library at E184.O6 L44 1991 MLK 6th Floor or 973.0495 MLK 3rd Floor

  • The Color of Honor - VHS, XS0416, IRC Room 112