Author and illustrator are Japanese American

This title fits these categories

racial awareness and variety Shows diverse people living their lives

racial pride Provides strong/positive role model for diverse children

racial issue Shows historical or contemporary inequality based on race

activist Shows ways you can make a difference

Classification Picture book

Acceptable grade levels Elementary - 2nd and up

Concepts/ Topics covered in book:

A young Japanese boy is picked on by his white and black friends and always made to be the enemy in their games because he is small and Japanese. Finally his father and uncle dress up in their military uniforms with all their medals. Some background on WW II and the treatment of the Japanese would be helpful for making the story more meaningful, but all children can respond to the child being picked on because of his racial attributes. This book might follow reading How Baseball Saved Us by the same author

Guiding Questions/Activities

Have you ever been made to play a part in a game you didn’t want?
Why couldn’t Donnie change his friend’s minds about him?
Would you have played with Donnie?
Is it right to pick on someone because they look different or because of something other people from the same background have done? [Note: This book shows discrimination of Blacks and whites against Asians]
What is a fair way to choose roles in a game?
Why was it important for Donnie’s friend to know his family fought in WWW II?
Why is it important to learn about people firsthand and not make judgments about them based on what you hear or read?

Awards: Teachers’ Choices Award, Smithsonian Notable Book, Notable Trade Book in Social Studies

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