Saturday, March 2, 2019

"Within These Lines" by Stephanie Morrill ... and a GIVEAWAY (March 5th-9th)! (JustRead Tours)

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GIVEAWAY RUNS FROM MARCH 5TH-9TH

Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour - and Giveaway - for Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

9780310765264Title: Within These Lines  
Author: Stephanie Morrill  
Publisher: Blink YA  
Genre: Historical Young Adult Fiction  
Release Date: March 5, 2019

When Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamasaki are torn apart by the events following the attack on Pearl Harbor, they must fight if they want any hope of returning to one another before World War II steals their future together. Within These Lines is one unflinching, haunting, historical novel you don’t want to miss; perfect for fans of Monica Hesse, Ruta Sepetys, and Elizabeth Wein.

Evalina Cassano’s life in an Italian-American family living in San Francisco in 1941 is quiet and ordinary until she falls in love with Taichi Hamasaki, the son of Japanese immigrants. Despite the scandal it would cause and that inter-racial marriage is illegal in California, Evalina and Taichi vow they will find a way to be together. But anti-Japanese feelings erupt across the country after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Taichi and his family are forced to give up their farm and move to a Japanese-American internment camp.

Degrading treatment makes life at Manzanar Relocation Center difficult. Taichi’s only connection to the outside world is treasured letters from Evalina. Feeling that the only action she can take to help Taichi is to speak out against injustice, Evalina becomes increasingly vocal at school and at home. Meanwhile, inside Manzanar, fighting between different Japanese-American factions arises. Taichi begins to doubt he will ever leave the camp alive.

With tensions running high and their freedom on the line, Evalina and Taichi must hold true to their ideals and believe in their love to make a way back to each other against unbelievable odds.  

Within These Lines:
  • Is a young adult historical novel set in the World War II era
  • Contains themes of love, separation, social justice, war, and diversity
  • Perfect for junior high and high school students
  • A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes


MY REVIEW

WWII-era books are some of my favorites to read, but the focus is usually on concentration camps, the Nazis, and/or Europe. I’ve never read another book like this one. I don’t remember learning much about the Japanese internment camps in America during WWII at all, so I was very interested in Morrill’s latest.

From the start, I was hooked. The story is told in alternating POVs (Taichi, who is Japanese, and Evalina, an Italian immigrant). Precise detailing, compelling characters, and facts mixed with fiction combine to create a story that will likely stick with the reader after the last page is turned. This is not an easy read, but Morrill handles the difficult topics with sensitivity. It’s thought provoking, and there’s a lot to digest in this book, which is heartbreaking yet captivating all at the same time. Through it all, hope clearly shines through. There is a love angle, but it is not overwhelming. The ending wraps up a bit too neatly and felt a bit abrupt, but I still enjoyed the book as a whole.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a complimentary review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as the 1920s mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street, and the WWII era romance, Within These Lines. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. You can connect with Stephanie and learn more about her books at StephanieMorrill.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram

GIVEAWAY

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(1) Grand Prize winner will win a release copy of Within These Lines & a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"

(5) First Prize winners will each with a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"

Be sure to check out each stop on the Bookstagram Tour and (upcoming) Takeover Tour, as well as this tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 5, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!

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2 comments:

  1. This book is a must read for me as the premise sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Danielle, I really enjoyed it, and I think you will, too.

      Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!

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