41 pages • 1 hour read
240
Novel • Fiction
Seattle, Washington • 1940s
2004
YA
10-14 years
620L
Thin Wood Walls by David Patneaude depicts 11-year-old Joe Hanada, a Japanese American boy, whose life changes drastically after the Pearl Harbor attack, leading to his family's unjust imprisonment at internment camps. The novel explores themes of resilience, hope, and the impact of xenophobia during World War II. Sensitive topics include racism, prejudice, and the forcible relocation of Japanese Americans.
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Mysterious
899 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
David Patneaude's Thin Wood Walls offers an engaging narrative set during World War II. Readers praise its vivid historical context and emotional depth, particularly in depicting the Japanese American internment experience through a young protagonist's eyes. Critiques often highlight a somewhat predictable plot, but overall, it succeeds in being an educational and heartfelt read.
Readers who would enjoy Thin Wood Walls by David Patneaude are typically young adults interested in historical fiction, particularly World War II. Fans of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry would find this book compelling due to its emotional depth and historical context.
899 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Novel • Fiction
Seattle, Washington • 1940s
2004
YA
10-14 years
620L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.