41 pages 1 hour read

David Patneaude

Thin Wood Walls

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2004

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

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.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Thin Wood Walls?

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

10-14years

Lexile Level

620L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Children's Literature

Period

WWII / World War II

Themes

Identity: Race

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Relationships: Family

Topics

Race / Racism

Education

Military / War