48 pages • 1 hour read
Winifred ConklingSylvia And Aki
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2011A 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
Sylvia & Aki by Winifred Conkling is a children’s historical fiction novel depicting the true stories of Sylvia Mendez and Aki Munemitsu. During World War II, Aki and her family, being Japanese American, were forcibly relocated to an incarceration camp in Poston, Arizona. Concurrently, Sylvia, a Latina girl whose family rented the Munemitsu farm, faced racial discrimination and was barred from attending the local white school. Sylvia’s father, Gonzalo Mendez, fought this injustice, culminating in the landmark desegregation case Mendez v. Westminster. Sylvia and Aki’s stories intersect, highlighting their struggles and the enduring friendship formed amid adversity.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sylvia And Aki by Winifred Conkling has been praised for its poignant portrayal of friendship and historical contexts of racial injustice. The narrative effectively combines elements of courage and resilience, although some readers found the pacing uneven. Overall, the book is lauded for its educational value and emotional depth.
Who Should Read Sylvia And Aki?
Readers who enjoyed The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis or Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan will appreciate Sylvia And Aki. This historical novel appeals to those interested in stories about friendship, social justice, and overcoming racial discrimination, particularly in the context of 1940s America.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
760LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Children's Literature
Social Justice
Military / War
History: World
WWII / World War II
Society: Education
Identity: Race
Relationships: Friendship