Music for Alice draws readers into a lifetime of resilience through atmospheric watercolors and the quiet tension of protecting one's inner joy during hardship. The narrative offers a cinematic passage of time that rewards patience with a moving, full circle conclusion. Books in this family share a focus on historical perseverance and the preservation of beauty despite systemic struggle.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the idea that life is not always fair, or when they need to see how a person can maintain their inner spark through decades of hardship. This poignant biography follows Alice Sumida, a Japanese American woman whose life was upended by the forced relocation and internment of her community during World War II. It explores the heavy labor of sugar-beet farming and the eventual triumph of building a world-renowned flower farm, all while Alice carries a quiet longing for the dance she loved in her youth. Allen Say's delicate illustrations and masterfully understated prose make this an ideal choice for children ages 6 to 12. It offers a gentle yet honest entry point into discussions about racial injustice, the value of hard work, and the importance of returning to one's passions even after long periods of sorrow or sacrifice.
