Shizue's Path by Mark Sakamoto, illustrated by Rachel Wada

Framed as a conversation between a grandmother and the reader, Shizue's Path follows the story of a young Shizue growing up in Canada against the backdrop of World War II. As the war worsens, so too does Shizue's position in Canadian society. Torn away from her elementary school and sent to an internment camp along with her family, Shizue looks to anyone who might speak truth to powerbut she is met with silence.

After the war, things only get worse for Shizue as Japanese-Canadians face the threat of deportation. Fortunately, the Canadians around Shizue are no longer silent. As various communities come together to protest this racist bill, Shizue learns first-hand how one individual can have a far-reaching effect on another's life.

Inspired by the life of his great-aunt, Mark Sakamoto weaves personal and political history with a keen sense of justice and optimism. Enriched by Rachel Wada's sophisticated illustrations, Shizue's Path is an unforgettable story about a girl who, swept up by the waters of the world, uses her voice to create ripples of kindness.

(From HarperCollins)

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Mark Sakamoto is a Toronto and Prince Edward County based writer, entrepreneur and investor in digital health and digital media. His first book, Forgiveness: A Gift from My Grandparents won Canada Reads 2018, when it was defended by Jeanne Beker.

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Illustrator Rachel Wada grew up in Japan and Hong Kong and is currently living in Vancouver. Her first children's book project, The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden, won the Freeman Book Award for Children's Literature.

Interviews with Mark Sakamoto

'I believe so passionately in Mark's book:' Jeanne Beker and Mark Sakamoto on Canada Reads

7 years ago

Duration 1:57

Canada Reads 2018 champion Sakamoto and his winning defender, Fashion TV icon Baker, on the emotional ride of CBC's battle of the books.

Q14:55Mark Sakamoto and Hiro Kanagawa on bringing the memoir Forgiveness to life onstage

Author Mark Sakamoto and playwright Hiro Kanagawa talk about adapting Mark's memoir Forgiveness, about his grandparents' experiences of the Second World War, for the stage.