UNBREAKABLE: A JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY IN AN AMERICAN INCARCERATION CAMP, by Minoru Tonai, Jolene Gutiérrez, Chris Sasaki, Harry N. Abrams, April 7, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 6-9)
Unbreakable, by Minoru Tonai, Jolene Gutiérrez, Chris Sasaki, tells the real-life experience of a Japanese American boy incarcerated with his family during World War II.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, strength comes in the form of the small, smooth stone Min’s father gives him before being led away by FBI agents. In his absence, Min and his family do their best to keep their produce business afloat and earn enough support to get Min’s father released. But the FBI won’t release his father, and soon, Min and his family are forced into an incarceration camp in Colorado.
Imprisoned on the dusty plains and facing both the pain of displacement and the injustice of being incarcerated by his own country, Min must learn to adapt and to find beauty―and strength―where most wouldn’t. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
Unbreakable was wowritten by Minoru (Min) Tonai, an advocate for Japanese American rights, by Jolene Gutiérrez, author of Too Much! and Mamiachi & Me, and illustrated by acclaimed illustrator Chris Sasaki. The story is based on Tonai’s real-life experience.
Young readers will relate to the confusion and anger Min faced as his father was taken away and his family forced into an incarceration camp. The writing is confident and accessible and the illustrations capture strong emotions and stark conditions incarcerated Japanese American families faced.
Extensive back matter includes information on the American incarceration camps and the campaign to release Tonai’s father, a timeline, a bibliography, author and illustrator notes, and questions for further discussion.
It is an excellent read.
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