A Place to Belong
#5 of 18 in Charity Series
What’s inside...
A Japanese-American family, reeling from their ill treatment in the Japanese internment camps, gives up their American citizenship to move back to Hiroshima, unaware of the devastation wreaked by the atomic bomb in this piercing look at the aftermath of World War II by Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata. World War II has ended, but while America has won the war, twelve-year-old Hanako feels lost. To her, the world, and her world, seems irrevocably broken. America, the only home she’s ever known, imprisoned then rejected her and her family—and thousands of other innocent Americans—because of their Japanese heritage, because Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan, the country they’ve been forced to move to, the country they hope will be the family’s saving grace, where they were supposed to start new and better lives, is in shambles because America dropped bombs of their own—one on Hiroshima unlike any other in history. And Hanako’s grandparents live in a small village just outside the ravaged city. The country is starving, the black markets run rampant, and countless orphans beg for food on the streets, but how can Hanako help them when there is not even enough food for her own brother? Hanako feels she could crack under the pressure, but just because something is broken doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed. Cracks can make room for gold, her grandfather explains when he tells her about the tradition of kintsukuroi—fixing broken objects with gold lacquer, making them stronger and more beautiful than ever. As she struggles to adjust to find her place in a new world, Hanako will find that the gold can come in many forms, and family may be hers. A Place to Belong is the fifth book of the Charity series. It is about a boy named Noah who was placed in foster care due to neglect and abuse. He so desperately wanted a place to call home. Charity comes on the scene and witnesses how God prearranged a connection between Noah and his teacher. Charity desires that every child recognizes that God loves them and that they are never alone.
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience while reading about the character's journey to find a place where they belong?
How do you think the main character changed from the beginning of the story to the end?
Can you think of a time when you felt like you didn’t belong? How did you overcome that feeling?
What does 'belonging' mean to you, and why is it important?
If you could help someone feel like they belong, what would you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think 'belonging' means to set the stage for the themes of the book.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask how your child thinks the character is feeling, encouraging them to empathize and reflect on similar personal experiences.
After reading, relate the book’s message to your child’s life by discussing their personal experiences with belonging to various groups or settings (school, sports teams, family gatherings).
Encourage your child to draw or write about a place where they feel they belong, deepening their connection to the story’s themes.
Highlight the importance of understanding and acceptance, and discuss ways they can make others feel included in their daily lives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance and inclusion
Explanation: The protagonist, Anna, moves to a new town and learns to accept the different backgrounds and cultures of her new friends.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace diversity in their communities and schools, understanding that everyone deserves acceptance regardless of where they come from or what they look like.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of change
Explanation: Throughout the book, Anna faces the challenge of adjusting to a new environment and eventually finds her sense of belonging.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by understanding that change is a part of life, and developing resilience can help them adjust to new situations such as changing schools or cities.
Example Lesson: The power of friendship
Explanation: Anna's journey in the story is made easier by the friends she makes who support and understand her.
Real-World Application: Children learn that building strong, supportive friendships can be crucial in overcoming personal challenges and feeling a sense of community.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: As Anna learns about the struggles and stories of her new friends, she develops a deeper empathy and compassion towards them.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be considerate and empathetic towards others' feelings and experiences, promoting a kinder peer interaction.