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Table of Contents
About The Book
Dirty. Lazy. Good-for-nothing. Jay Thacker is used to being called names because his dad is half Navajo. But things are different after he and his mother move to a small town in Utah to stay with his grandparents during WWII. Jay makes friends and earns money working the fields for his well-respected grandfather—but he encounters a problem in Ken, a fellow worker who’s from the nearby Japanese internment camp. Ken’s a Jap. And Jay’s dad, who’s been fighting for the navy out in the Pacific, is missing in action. This moving story about an unlikely friendship deftly addresses themes of prejudice and intolerance, providing readers a glimpse of the past that enlightens the present.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (February 24, 2015)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781416999041
- Grades: 5 - 9
- Ages: 10 - 14
- Lexile ® HL620 The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
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Raves and Reviews
“[A] wonderful novel that is sure to appeal on many levels…the issues explored will make many think.”
– Library Media Connection, Highly Recommended
“Subtle and engaging.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Awards and Honors
- CBC/NCSS Notable Children's Book in Social Studies
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Missing in Action eBook 9781416999041
- Author Photo (jpg): Dean Hughes Photograph by Doug Martin(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit