Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour – and Giveaway – for Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Within These Lines
Author: Stephanie Morrill
Publisher: Blink YA
Genre: Historical Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: March 5, 2019
When Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamasaki are torn apart by the events following the attack on Pearl Harbor, they must fight if they want any hope of returning to one another before World War II steals their future together. Within These Lines is one unflinching, haunting, historical novel you don’t want to miss; perfect for fans of Monica Hesse, Ruta Sepetys, and Elizabeth Wein.
Evalina Cassano’s life in an Italian-American family living in San Francisco in 1941 is quiet and ordinary until she falls in love with Taichi Hamasaki, the son of Japanese immigrants. Despite the scandal it would cause and that inter-racial marriage is illegal in California, Evalina and Taichi vow they will find a way to be together. But anti-Japanese feelings erupt across the country after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Taichi and his family are forced to give up their farm and move to a Japanese-American internment camp.
Degrading treatment makes life at Manzanar Relocation Center difficult. Taichi’s only connection to the outside world is treasured letters from Evalina. Feeling that the only action she can take to help Taichi is to speak out against injustice, Evalina becomes increasingly vocal at school and at home. Meanwhile, inside Manzanar, fighting between different Japanese-American factions arises. Taichi begins to doubt he will ever leave the camp alive.
With tensions running high and their freedom on the line, Evalina and Taichi must hold true to their ideals and believe in their love to make a way back to each other against unbelievable odds.
Within These Lines:
- Is a young adult historical novel set in the World War II era
- Contains themes of love, separation, social justice, war, and diversity
- Perfect for junior high and high school students
- A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
IN MY OPINION
There is a shadow over America’s involvement in World War II that’s often skipped over or brushed aside, and Stephanie Morrill wades into the waters of America’s distrust of, prejudice toward, and mistreatment of Japanese-Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
This book is powerful with its depictions of the conditions and atmosphere of the internment camp at Manzanar. Morrill paints a vivid picture of life inside the camp without getting too graphic for a younger audience.
And her characters are wonderful. Evalina is a fiery young lady who voices the truths she’s seen with her own eyes and defends the unpopular opinion no matter the pushback she receives. Taichi is a quiet sort of hero who does his best to support his friends and family in Manzanar while guarding those he loves outside from the truth of his experiences. Both of these characters, so different, yet somehow perfect for each other, will stick with me for a long time as will many of the supporting cast—James, Diego, and Aiko each added to round out this story.
Within These Lines acts as both a reminder of some forgotten/glossed over history and a caution to judge an entire people group by the acts of a few. It’s a difficult, yet sweet, coming-of-age story where young love weathers impossible odds.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as the 1920s mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street, and the WWII era romance, Within These Lines. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. You can connect with Stephanie and learn more about her books at StephanieMorrill.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
GIVEAWAY
(1) Grand Prize winner will win a release copy of Within These Lines & a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: “Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act”
(5) First Prize winners will each win a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: “Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act”
Be sure to check out each stop on the Bookstagram Tour and (upcoming) Takeover Tour, as well as this tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 5, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
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Within These Lines sounds like a must read! Thank you for hosting.