ALEUTIAN SPARROW

A little known event of WWII is the 1942 bombing of Unalaska in the Aleutian Islands and the U.S. Government's subsequent removal of Aleutians to internment camps more than one thousand miles away. For Vera, home from school and spending the summer with her family, three years of deplorable camp living begins. In vignettes of unrhymed verse, Vera tells of this time and her village and culture before the bombing. Sarah Jones's gentle and quiet narration is unobtrusive and underscores the full impact of Vera's story. In response to Hesse's signature technique of ending each section with a thought or happening that merits further consideration, Jones delivers added emphasis and a pause for reflection. More of the author's poignant memories of her childhood internment follow the novel and satisfy the listener's desire to know more about this event. A.R. 2005 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]