Readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong emotional depth, such as Number the Stars by Lois Lowry and Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, will find Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury compelling for its poignant exploration of World War II-era Hawaii and cultural identity.

Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury is praised for its vivid historical setting and engaging storytelling, offering a poignant look at Japanese-American life during WWII. While its emotional depth and relatable characters resonate with readers, some critique the straightforward plot. Overall, it’s a compelling read for both young adults and adults.

In Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury, 13-year-old Tomi Nakaji, an American son of Japanese immigrants, navigates friendship and family challenges in Honolulu before and after the Pearl Harbor attack. Amidst increased prejudice and the hostile aftermath of the event, Tomi fights to maintain his identity, friendship with Billy, and protect his family amidst growing wartime fears. This book contains depictions of racism, xenophobia, wartime distress, family separation, and the imprisonment of Japanese Americans.

Melancholic / Emotional / Suspenseful / Challenging

- Under the Blood Red Sun is set against the backdrop of the Pearl Harbor attack, offering historical insights into how the event affected Japanese-American communities in Hawaii.
- The novel won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, which is given to outstanding works of historical fiction for children or young adults.
- Graham Salisbury uses his own family history and experiences growing up in Hawaii to enrich the authenticity and cultural context of the story.

Graham Salisbury

Novel

Prisoners of the Empire

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Under the Blood Red Sun and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Under the Blood Red Sun Summary and Study Guide

Background

Under the Blood Red Sun Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Under the Blood Red Sun Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-9

Under the Blood Red Sun Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-14

Under the Blood Red Sun Chapters 10-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-18

Under the Blood Red Sun Chapters 15-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 19-Epilogue

Under the Blood Red Sun Chapter 19-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Under the Blood Red Sun Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Under the Blood Red Sun Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Under the Blood Red Sun Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Under the Blood Red Sun Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Under the Blood Red Sun Essay Topics

Under the Blood Red Sun

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Under the Blood Red Sun?

Reading Age

Book Details