Living through the Japanese American Internment wasn’t easy for Mari. She is enrolled in an art class, but with the harsh conditions, there’s nothing beautiful to draw. Fortunately hope begins to flourish in the most depressing situation from her parents loving care and advice, a kind, supportive art teacher and a new friend. This story, influenced by family experiences, shows the hope and perseverance and hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans.

Author Amy Lee-Tai was born in New York City as a descendent from both Japanese and Chinese ancestry. Amy unfolds hardships and emotions during the internment from her mother and her grandmother, Hisako Hibi’s paintings. A Place Where Sunflowers Grow is Amy Lee- Tai’s first book.

“A Place Where Sunflowers Grow offers beautiful, haunting depictions of life in an internment camp as seen by a child, and a narrative that is both simple and profound. A must in every school and library in the country.”
– Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, author of Farewell to Manzanar

Published by Children’s Book Press
ISBN-10: 0-89239-215-0 (hardback)
ISBN-13:978-0-89239-2155 (paperback)

$16.95 hardback
Color photos; 32 pages