"He told Eve his dad lost his job
at the factory. A customer didn't
want a Japanese man to make
his furniture.
Mark's dad said they would have
to move."
School can be a tough place to be for new students. Emma doesn't like being treated badly for being born in another country. She knows she belongs - she has lived here since she was a small child. She doesn't let the bullies know that she is bothered by them; she hides her tears where there is no one to see.
When they start bullying a new student, she has had it. Mark Nakamura is Japanese, and Emma knows he belongs, too. She tells the bullies to STOP! Then, she tells Mark about the special rock she sits on to bring her peace.. The next day, Mark finds her there and offers a gift - his carving of a small turtle. From then on, the two share the rock, their imagined stories, and talk about their families. They also share their dislike for being treated differently because of their culture.
They spend much of their time together. Emma knows that Mark's dad is a furniture maker; Mark knows that Emma's family owns a food store and her mom is a great baker. When a problem arises at the store, it's Mark's dad to the rescue. Soon, the community knows about his many skills and life becomes better for all.
Back matter provides information about immigration and prejudice, and offers notes from both author and illustrator, one of Jewish heritage and the other Japanese. Their family stories led to them creating this book for young readers.
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