Super Short Summary

So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins follows eleven-year-old Yoko Kawashima as she and her family flee from Nanam, North Korea, to Seoul, South Korea, during the final days of World War II. Facing numerous dangers and hardships, they eventually reach Japan, where they struggle to survive and reunite with Yoko's brother. The novel explores themes of resilience, loss, and hope amid the chaos and aftermath of war. The book includes scenes that depict violence and trauma experienced by the characters.