The Church Behind Barbed Wire
In The Church Behind Barbed Wire, Tom Sugimura shares the true story of faith, family, and dignity among Japanese Americans during their incarceration in World War II.
This story is personal for Sugimura, as his grandparents were incarcerated at Manzanar. He writes openly and honestly for children while showcasing the hope that God gives to his people.
Faith Like a Child
The story is told through the eyes of Johnny as he tries to make sense of what is happening around him. With childlike innocence and faith, readers journey alongside him as he navigates and comes to understand his circumstances.
Amy K. Lam’s illustrations are brilliant and beautiful, making a difficult subject easier for children to grasp and visualize.
A Light in the Dark
The church remained a shining light in the darkest of times. What I loved most was reading about Christians from different denominations coming together and seeing how faith sustained the Japanese American church.
Johnny’s mama says, “Even what others mean for harm, God means for good.” This powerful message echoes throughout the book. This is a story for Japanese American children, for American children, and for every child of God.
I received a media copy of The Church Behind Barbed Wire (Amazon) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.