Under the Blood Red Sun
Under the Blood Red Sun is a historical novel by Graham Salisbury, published in 1995. An award-winning feature film by Japanese-American director Tim Savage and produced by Dana Satler Hankins, from a screenplay by Salisbury, was released in 2014.
Plot summary
The novel details the life of Tomi, a Japanese-American boy, and his family during World War II, when Americans of Japanese descent were being sent to internment camps. Tomi lives in Hawaii, and witnesses the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story centers on the racist persecution of Tomi's family by others, the government's suspicion of the Japanese, and the family's efforts to downplay their Japanese heritage. He is joined by his haole or white friend, Billy, when his father and grandfather are captured and brought to a prison camp. Their friend Sanji (age 19) is killed and Tomi's dad is shot in the leg. Tomikazu Nakaji is determined to be an American. This is not easy for though he was born in Hawaii, his parents and grandfather were not; they were born in Japan and they still cling to Japanese ways. In fact Tomi's grandfather still insists that he is "Japanese" and he and Tomi's parents still talk about the need to honor the family. Tomi must never do anything which would bring "shame" to the family.
It is 1941 and though Tomi knows that war is raging in far away countries he does not think about it Instead he spends time with his best friend Billy and he plays baseball with his baseball team, a mixed group of boys who call themselves the Rats.[1] Then, on December 7, 1941, Tomi's life is turned upside down. After the terrifying bombings of Pearl Harbor are over Tomi's fisherman father is taken into custody. Tomi knows that his family has to be as American as possible if they are to survive the anti-Japanese feelings that are swirling around them. Quickly they bury their Japanese mementoes in the garden and they quietly kill all their racer pigeons when the military tell them that the pigeons must be destroyed because they are a risk to security. Of course this is ridiculous but they comply, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Tomi knows that he has to keep a close eye on his grandfather to make sure that the old man does not do anything foolish. Tomi comes to realize that he is now the head of the family and that he has to do all he can to help his mother provide for them all. Throughout this awful time Tomi has the Rats to help him. He knows that no matter what happens Billy and the others will stand by him. And, of course, there is always baseball.[2]
Film adaptation
The cast of the 2014 film adaptation includes actors Kyler Ki Sakamoto, Kalama Epstein, Dann Seki, Autumn Ogawa, Wil Kahele, and Chris Tashima, as well as a cameo appearance by Graham Salisbury.[3] The film won numerous awards on the film festival circuit including the Spirit Award at the International Family Film Festival. [4] It is currently available on iTunes and Amazon, and on Blu-ray and DVD.
Awards
2014 - Phoenix Award Honor Book Award
1999 - California Young Reader Medal Award
1998 - Nene Award (Hawaii Young Reader's Choice)
1998 - Utah Young Adult Book Award Nominee
1998 - Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award Nominee
1995 - Teachers Choice, International Reading Association
1995 - YALSA - Best Books for Young Adults, American Library Association
1995 - Library of Congress: Notable Children's Book of the Year
1995 - Oregon Book Award
1995 - The Family Channel Seal of Quality
1995 - NY Public Library, Books for the Teen Age
1994 - Parent's Choice Honor Award
1994 - American Library Association, Best Book for Young Adults
1994 - Booklist Editor's Choice
1994 - Books in the Middle: Outstanding Book for the Middle School Reader
