Home › Adventure Books for Kids › Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp

Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp

by Minoru Tonai

A family’s experience of wartime incarceration

Regular price $17.70 USD
Regular price $29.50 USD Sale price $17.70 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A family’s experience of wartime incarceration

Based on Minoru Tonai’s childhood, this picture book traces the effects of World War II incarceration on a Japanese American family: Min’s father is taken by FBI agents, the family struggles to maintain its produce business, and they are sent to a camp in Colorado. A stone from his father becomes a source of strength as Min faces displacement and injustice. Extensive back matter broadens the account with information about the camps and the campaign to release Tonai’s father, alongside a timeline, bibliography, creator notes, and discussion questions. The structure connects one child’s family story with historical context for further conversation.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 9–12 exploring Japanese American history and World War II
  • Caregivers and educators seeking a picture book with historical back matter and discussion questions

Themes

Japanese American incarceration during World War IIFamily separation and displacementResilience and injusticeHistorical memory and discussion

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A powerful, emotional, and ultimately uplifting picture book about the real-life experience of a Japanese American boy incarcerated with his family during World War II.

Cowritten by Minoru (Min) Tonai, an advocate for Japanese American rights, Unbreakable is based on Tonai's harrowing real-life experiences and has been welcomed with five starred reviews.

This moving picture book includes extensive back matter: information on the American incarceration camps and the campaign to release Tonai's father, a timeline, a bibliography, author and illustrator notes, and questions for further discussion perfect for caregivers and educators to further engage young readers.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, strength comes in the form of the small, smooth stone Min's father gives him before being led away by FBI agents. In his absence, Min and his family do their best to keep their produce business afloat and earn enough support to get Min's father released. But the FBI won't release his father, and soon, Min and his family are forced into an incarceration camp in Colorado.

Imprisoned on the dusty plains and facing both the pain of displacement and the injustice of being incarcerated by his own country, Min must learn to adapt and to find beauty--and strength--where most wouldn't.

Cowritten by Jolene Guti

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews