While I Was Away
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-03-11 06:51:55
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Waka T. Brown
- ISBN：0063017121
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Summary
Named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of the Year！
The Farewell meets Erin Entrada Kelly's Blackbird Fly in this empowering middle grade memoir from debut author Waka T。 Brown， who takes readers on a journey to 1980s Japan， where she was sent as a child to reconnect to her family's roots。
When twelve-year-old Waka's parents suspect she can't understand the basic Japanese they speak to her， they make a drastic decision to send her to Tokyo to live for several months with her strict grandmother。 Forced to say goodbye to her friends and what would have been her summer vacation， Waka is plucked from her straight-A-student life in rural Kansas and flown across the globe， where she faces the culture shock of a lifetime。
In Japan， Waka struggles with reading and writing in kanji， doesn't quite mesh with her complicated and distant Obaasama， and gets made fun of by the students in her Japanese public-school classes。 Even though this is the country her parents came from， Waka has never felt more like an outsider。
If she's always been the "smart Japanese girl" in America but is now the "dumb foreigner" in Japan， where is home。。。and who will Waka be when she finds it？
The Farewell meets Erin Entrada Kelly's Blackbird Fly in this empowering middle grade memoir from debut author Waka T。 Brown， who takes readers on a journey to 1980s Japan， where she was sent as a child to reconnect to her family's roots。
When twelve-year-old Waka's parents suspect she can't understand the basic Japanese they speak to her， they make a drastic decision to send her to Tokyo to live for several months with her strict grandmother。 Forced to say goodbye to her friends and what would have been her summer vacation， Waka is plucked from her straight-A-student life in rural Kansas and flown across the globe， where she faces the culture shock of a lifetime。
In Japan， Waka struggles with reading and writing in kanji， doesn't quite mesh with her complicated and distant Obaasama， and gets made fun of by the students in her Japanese public-school classes。 Even though this is the country her parents came from， Waka has never felt more like an outsider。
If she's always been the "smart Japanese girl" in America but is now the "dumb foreigner" in Japan， where is home。。。and who will Waka be when she finds it？
Reviews
Malia
，
In this memoir， the author recounts 5 months she spent hurled into culture shock。 I was amazed at how cleverly Brown captures the conflicting， growing emotions of her younger self both in narration and dialogue。 Her story explores not only language acquisition and cultural adaptation but also family awkwardness （even generational sins） and the pull-push that a girl feels toward her parents， her friends， herself （maybe everyone） when coming into maturity。 It's more than a book about Japan -- it's In this memoir， the author recounts 5 months she spent hurled into culture shock。 I was amazed at how cleverly Brown captures the conflicting， growing emotions of her younger self both in narration and dialogue。 Her story explores not only language acquisition and cultural adaptation but also family awkwardness （even generational sins） and the pull-push that a girl feels toward her parents， her friends， herself （maybe everyone） when coming into maturity。 It's more than a book about Japan -- it's relatable to anyone。 We all face challenges that change us。 This was hers。 。。。more
Emily Arnold
，
3。5
Sherry
，
An engaging memoir written specifically for middle grades readers sometimes seems hard to find， but this book hits the mark。 The writing is solid with a plotline that features clear， chronological storytelling， and the middle grades voice is appropriate for the audience。 Brown clearly channels her middle school self and has a strong memory of the feelings and perceptions from that time。 Highly recommend。
Dan Allbery
，
Each individual has certain watershed moments in their life。 For Waka Brown， being sent to Japan as a pre-teen was one of those moments。 As stated in her Author's Note， she can clearly remember many of these forty year-old moments just like yesterday。 These people and this time definitely imprinted on her soul。While I Was Away is a middle grade memoir that provides insight into being bicultural。 Brown experienced that "in-between" feeling many often reference--am I American？ Am I Japanese？ I'm n Each individual has certain watershed moments in their life。 For Waka Brown， being sent to Japan as a pre-teen was one of those moments。 As stated in her Author's Note， she can clearly remember many of these forty year-old moments just like yesterday。 These people and this time definitely imprinted on her soul。While I Was Away is a middle grade memoir that provides insight into being bicultural。 Brown experienced that "in-between" feeling many often reference--am I American？ Am I Japanese？ I'm not sure there is always a clear answer， but reading others' experiences may help。 I took interest in this book as a teacher of many Japanese students and as a person who lived in Japan。 The linguistic and cultural references made me frequently say， "I remember that。" The coldness of soba noodles， the sound of the cicada， the chaos of the train station。 All those moments were mental field trips for me。 However， if a reader doesn't have any ties to Japan， the story may come across as slow。 Dare I say it is a bit dry at times？ But。。。if you get this into the hands of a Japanese kid， or someone wanting to know more about Japanese culture， this could be a win。 It reads a bit young。 Recommended for GR 4-6。 。。。more
Kim Tyo-Dickerson
，
A Third Culture Kid's moving tribute to family， language， and first culture。 By the end， I was surprised by tears and deep connection to the memories of dearly loved， hugely complicated relatives in my own life。Highly recommended for all school libraries， but especially for international school libraries and readers ages 10 and up。 A Third Culture Kid's moving tribute to family， language， and first culture。 By the end， I was surprised by tears and deep connection to the memories of dearly loved， hugely complicated relatives in my own life。Highly recommended for all school libraries， but especially for international school libraries and readers ages 10 and up。 。。。more
Hwee Goh
，
The year Japanese-American Waka Tanaka turned 12， her mum decided to send her back to Japan for five months， in the hope of immersing her in enough Japanese so she could become conversant in it。It was to be a bittersweet time - plucked out of her straight-A midwestern life to coping in a totally Japanese environment， kanji， ink stones and all。 Waka was to live with obaasan， her maternal grandmother and the way the two navigate life around each other， was the most heart-hitting for me。 It was a n The year Japanese-American Waka Tanaka turned 12， her mum decided to send her back to Japan for five months， in the hope of immersing her in enough Japanese so she could become conversant in it。It was to be a bittersweet time - plucked out of her straight-A midwestern life to coping in a totally Japanese environment， kanji， ink stones and all。 Waka was to live with obaasan， her maternal grandmother and the way the two navigate life around each other， was the most heart-hitting for me。 It was a nuanced， distant， love that sent on some tears at the end。This is an empowering middle grade nonfiction memoir that takes a young reader through Waka’s initial bewilderment at the cultural differences， to her determination to fight through friendships， her grandmother’s own pain as well as succeeding in class。 “By being away， I traveled to realms in my mind and my heart and soul that I didn’t even know were there。”This book is for young readers who enjoy being immersed in the ins and outs of living and going to school in Japan， and Waka’s candid，humorous， writing makes it an experiential one。Thank you， @times。reads for sending me this book， I am the richer for this experience！ 。。。more
Hilary
，
So good。 I finished this book in a few hours。so glad this is on the Mock Newbery list for my students。
Josie
，
When twelve-year-old Waka’s parents suspect she can’t understand basic Japanese， they send her from her home in America to Japan， to spend several months living with her Grandmother and attend school in Tokyo。This memoir was such a great read in that it was a rare insight into cultural difference。 I found this a unique and insightful read， and there were many heart warming as well as heart wrenching parts to what played out。 This felt like sitting down with the author over some tea and hearing h When twelve-year-old Waka’s parents suspect she can’t understand basic Japanese， they send her from her home in America to Japan， to spend several months living with her Grandmother and attend school in Tokyo。This memoir was such a great read in that it was a rare insight into cultural difference。 I found this a unique and insightful read， and there were many heart warming as well as heart wrenching parts to what played out。 This felt like sitting down with the author over some tea and hearing her childhood story。 。。。more
Andrea
，
Really more of a memoir than fiction。 Accessible and lovely。
Kris
，
2。75
Reem Faruqi
，
Looooved WHILE I WAS AWAY by @W_T_Brown 。 The humor throughout the book was hilarious and heartfelt while Waka adapts to Japanese life。。。 but I wasn't expecting the sadness & gut wrenching emotions that came together in the most gorgeous way。 Wow。 & I loved Obaasama。 My heart！This story will stay with me for a long time。 Looooved WHILE I WAS AWAY by @W_T_Brown 。 The humor throughout the book was hilarious and heartfelt while Waka adapts to Japanese life。。。 but I wasn't expecting the sadness & gut wrenching emotions that came together in the most gorgeous way。 Wow。 & I loved Obaasama。 My heart！This story will stay with me for a long time。 。。。more
Trisha
，
Exquisite memoir that navigates the space of the loneliness of other and learning who you are when separated from everything that is familiar。
Jennifer
，
Lovely middle grade memoir about finding yourself and your culture。
Lee Födi
，
Wow， I really loved this book！ It's a powerful read about family， culture， and belonging。 What makes it extra compelling is the fact that it’s a memoir， not something that you find often in middle-grade。 Whenever I throw out the term “non-fiction” to my creative writing students， they groan， but I think they will love this book as much as I do， because it has a very engaging story-telling style and the feel of a traditional middle-grade plot。 I really loved reading about young Waka’s time in Jap Wow， I really loved this book！ It's a powerful read about family， culture， and belonging。 What makes it extra compelling is the fact that it’s a memoir， not something that you find often in middle-grade。 Whenever I throw out the term “non-fiction” to my creative writing students， they groan， but I think they will love this book as much as I do， because it has a very engaging story-telling style and the feel of a traditional middle-grade plot。 I really loved reading about young Waka’s time in Japan， and how we’re naturally introduced to different Japanese words and phrases （we use quite a few of them in our household！）。 I also enjoyed how the book ended， with only some things resolved （makes sense for a memoir—the story goes on！）。 Highly recommend。 。。。more
Nura
，
While I was away has important lessons about accepting yourself and your heritage/background， immigration， and friendship。 Definitely a favorite！
Leah Moore Woods
，
Mock newbery read: great book， should get committee attention。 Could even see gold and if not， then silver is very deserved。Great memoir， told in a fiction-ish style。 Maybe more fits the "based on real events" category。 I might have shelved it in fiction when I worked at a bookstore。 Mock newbery read: great book， should get committee attention。 Could even see gold and if not， then silver is very deserved。Great memoir， told in a fiction-ish style。 Maybe more fits the "based on real events" category。 I might have shelved it in fiction when I worked at a bookstore。 。。。more
Lisa
，
3。75 stars
Sarah White
，
I loved learning about Japanese culture and school in this fun book。 The relationship between Waka and her grandmother is compelling。 Really enjoyed this book！
Laura Harrison
，
Strong Newbery 2022 contender。
MalaikaKhanbb
，
4。5🦋
Fiona PU
，
a few things i loved:- the deconstruction of kanji to its individual strokes and their respective meanings- the painting by the grandfather - the depth in character in Obaasama- the representation of intergenerational trauma AND- how Waka is able to rationally and calmly speak against it- the perspective of language acquisition through an anglocentric position- the perspective of being a 外人
Mary
，
Written from personal experience。 In the 1980's， Waka is sent to live in Japan with her grandmother for 5 months between her 6th and 7th grade years。 Her mother felt that the immersion would help her learn Japanese。 A straight A student in Kansas， Waka is near the bottom of the class in Japan。 She struggles to conquer the great variety of characters in written Japanese and grows at ease in speaking the language。 Negotiating the social structure of the school was a challenge， as was relating to h Written from personal experience。 In the 1980's， Waka is sent to live in Japan with her grandmother for 5 months between her 6th and 7th grade years。 Her mother felt that the immersion would help her learn Japanese。 A straight A student in Kansas， Waka is near the bottom of the class in Japan。 She struggles to conquer the great variety of characters in written Japanese and grows at ease in speaking the language。 Negotiating the social structure of the school was a challenge， as was relating to her 80-year-old grandmother who had endured a difficult life and was never regarded as a soft woman by anyone in the family。 Waka's feelings about her two cultures at the conclusion of her visit are an interesting confliction。 。。。more
Marcia
，
12-year old Waka's parents send her to spend the summer with her grandmother in Tokyo。 We learn about Japanese customs， middle school worries， and family stories。 A nice choice for readers interested in Japanese culture。 12-year old Waka's parents send her to spend the summer with her grandmother in Tokyo。 We learn about Japanese customs， middle school worries， and family stories。 A nice choice for readers interested in Japanese culture。 。。。more
Francesca
，
Super interesting as a contemporary， a serial foreign language expat， and a third culture kid。 Also as someone with as much connection to my overseas family and their convoluted （traumatic？） past。 This was very well-written for YA and the narrator was good。 I'm glad Waka shared a memoir。 Super interesting as a contemporary， a serial foreign language expat， and a third culture kid。 Also as someone with as much connection to my overseas family and their convoluted （traumatic？） past。 This was very well-written for YA and the narrator was good。 I'm glad Waka shared a memoir。 。。。more
Lulu
，
it made me crythat’s all you need to knowfor some reason， this book was very nostalgic for me。 a litlle something about me is that i’m not japanese， i’m taiwanese。 a lot of the stuff in this book really made me think of taiwan and my relatives。
Jessica
，
In Waka T。 Brown's middle grade memoir， While I Was Away， she writes about the five or so months that she spent in Japan， living with her grandmother， away from her friends and immediate family， learning Japanese。 As an Asian-American， I really felt this slow burn of a memoir that isn't really about anything earth-shattering （after all， we know that Waka will see her family again in a few short months）， but feels so major to a kid。 In my family， there are many relatives who have sent kids over b In Waka T。 Brown's middle grade memoir， While I Was Away， she writes about the five or so months that she spent in Japan， living with her grandmother， away from her friends and immediate family， learning Japanese。 As an Asian-American， I really felt this slow burn of a memoir that isn't really about anything earth-shattering （after all， we know that Waka will see her family again in a few short months）， but feels so major to a kid。 In my family， there are many relatives who have sent kids over by themselves to learn English here in America， but I can't think of any in the opposite situation， sending the American-born kid to the motherland to learn Japanese （or Chinese or Korean）。 I felt like Waka's parents were being so extreme， since it seemed like Waka at least understood and spoke Japanese quite well， even if she didn't know kanji。 But as a person who is closer to the parents' age than the kids' when reading middle grade and YA books， I did see that it was one of those "the parents actually knew what was best for us" type of books。 I also resonated so deeply with the relationship between the grandmother and Waka。 While everyone feels sorry for Waka for having to live alone with such a serious and at times harsh woman， Obaasama shows her love for Waka in other ways。 There's a quote I loved in the book: "Maybe we Japanese didn't hug each other a lot， but some actions say a lot more and last a lot longer。" The cultural differences that Waka experiences help shape her， and she starts to appreciate both forms of cultural communication and values。 It was a great， thoughtful book。Ages 9-11 。。。more
Ami Schroder
，
Loved this sweet memoir set in the 1980’s， especially because I was around the same age！
Emily
，
3。25
Liralen
，
What a compelling look at a bicultural experience。 When Brown was a preteen， her parents decided that her Japanese wasn't up to snuff and sent her to spend five months with her grandmother—attending a Japanese school and generally connecting with her family's culture in a way that was not possible in Kansas。 Brown was fortunate in that not only did she already speak Japanese well， her Japanese teachers were prepared to meet her where she was in terms of reading and writing skills。There are natur What a compelling look at a bicultural experience。 When Brown was a preteen， her parents decided that her Japanese wasn't up to snuff and sent her to spend five months with her grandmother—attending a Japanese school and generally connecting with her family's culture in a way that was not possible in Kansas。 Brown was fortunate in that not only did she already speak Japanese well， her Japanese teachers were prepared to meet her where she was in terms of reading and writing skills。There are natural threads of tension woven throughout， from Brown's trepidation over living with her grandmother （who has had a hard life and is known in the family as a forbidding figure） to how to manage a different schoolmate social structure than she's used to in Kansas to whether Brown's Japanese will improve to a level she—and her family—is satisfied with。 This definitely feels like a book that should make its way to many middle school and high school libraries。 。。。more
Kim Gontarz
，
Waka has lived her whole life in Kansas but her parents fear she is loosing her Japanese heritage so they send her to Tokyo to live with her grandmother for five months。 Waka feels like this is the end of her life。 She is going to a strange place to live with someone she barely knows。 Can she step up to the task before her？ What will she learn about herself and her grandmother？
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=While I Was Away
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=While I Was Away&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,While I Was Away&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0