45 pages • 1 hour read
Kirby LarsonDash
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2014A 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
Super Short Summary
In Dash by Kirby Larson, Mitsi Kashino, an 11-year-old Japanese-American girl, navigates the hardships of life following the Pearl Harbor attack, which leads to her family's relocation to an American concentration camp. Mitsi endures severe racial discrimination, the trauma of forced removal, and separation from her beloved dog, Dash, but she finds solace in new friendships, letters from Dash, and her determination. The book features depictions of anti-Japanese racism and the trauma connected to the concentration camps Americans made for Japanese people.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dash by Kirby Larson is praised for its heartfelt portrayal of a Japanese American girl's internment camp experience during World War II, highlighting themes of resilience and friendship. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and historical accuracy. Some critics, however, find the pacing slow. Overall, it’s a compelling read for both young and mature audiences.
Who Should Read Dash?
Readers who enjoy Dash by Kirby Larson are typically young adults interested in historical fiction, especially set during WWII. Fans of Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff or Number the Stars by Lois Lowry will appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and the exploration of themes like friendship, loyalty, and resilience.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
570LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Children's Literature
WWII / World War II
Animals
Military / War
History: World
Relationships: Friendship
Relationships: Family
Identity: Race