Orchards (A Book Review)

Orchards (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography

Thompson, Holly. Orchards. New York: Random House, 2011. ISBN 9780385739788

Plot Summary

Kana Goldberg is sent during her Summer vacation to stay with her family in Japan after a girl in her 8th grade class falls victim to constant bullying. Feeling a sense of guilt for not having helped the girl, Kana goes through a cultural journey of self-realization and soon develops empathy for those affected, feeling a sense of urgency in the end to honor her fallen classmates.   

Critical Analysis
"One week after 
you stuffed a coil of rope 
into your backpack 
and walked uphill into 
Osgoods' orchard 
where blooms were still closed fists 

my father looked up 
summer airfares 
to Tokyo (Orchards)."

From the very first line, the free verse flows quickly, hits powerfully and catches the reader's attention instantly. Over-abundant in purposeful language with lots of built-in metaphors, Thompson both delivers and captures the emotions of guilt and blame accurately. The author intertwines the internal struggle of the main character as she tries to cope with the aftermath of the events and her own cultural identity. Although lengthy, the verse style in Orchards allows the story to progress naturally catching the reader off-guard in the end. The aspects of Japanese culture coupled with the woodcut illustrations of Japanese emblems after each chapter keep the reader tied into the impact of the poems. This is a story beautifully told that will leave a mark on the reader, particularly since its relevance in today's culture cannot be underscored.              

Review Excerpt(s)

"Thompson has crafted an exquisite, thought-provoking story of grief and healing that will resonate with teen readers and give them much to discuss."

-Starred Review, School Library Journal, March 2011

“Eloquently captures a teenager’s anger, guilt, and sorrow after a classmate takes her own life. . . . Understated yet potent verse.” -Review, Publishers Weekly, January 3, 2011

“A fast-paced page-turner that explores the rippling effects of suicide.” 

-Review, Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2011

“Readers will want to talk about the big issues, especially the guilt of doing nothing.” -Review, Booklist, January 1, 2011

“Compelling. . . . Teens who enjoy learning about other cultures will relish Thompson’s ability to evoke the sights, smells, and tastes of Japan, while poetry fans will enjoy the novel’s unique format.” -Review, VOYA

Connections

Other Holly Thompson books to check out:

• Thompson, Holly. Tomo: Friendship through Fiction: An Anthology of Japan Teen Stories. California: Stone Bridge Press, 2012. ISBN 9781611725186 

• Thompson, Holly. The Language Inside. New York: Random House, 2013. ISBN 9780385739795

• Thompson, Holly. Ash: A Novel. California: Stone Bridge Press, 2001. ISBN 9780893469887

Tomo would be an interesting account of the events in Japan following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. It could lead into a history lesson about Japan or tsunami and earthquakes. Teens will relate to the characters in this book.

The Language Inside would be a book for teens who can relate to living in a different country and having to move when tragedy strikes in their lives.

Ash: A Novel in Thompson's first novel and would interest teens who like Japanese culture and stories of redemption after witnessing traumatic events. 

Each of Thompson's books center on Japanese culture since the author lives and teaches creative writing in Japan. Her books also glean aspects of the culture and celebrations such as O-bon which might interest readers familiar with this custom.