Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read a digital ARC of this book. And thank you to the author for telling this story. I truly feel seen, and can't wait to share it with my own children.

I try to imagine the impact this book would've had on me as a child, and how much it would've meant to me. I grew up knowing quite a lot about the Japanese internment camps that several of my own relatives and family friends were sent to during WWII. My great-grandfather and great-uncles lived in Wyoming back then, but spent summers on the west coast helping out at a relative's farm. They spent time in one of the relocation centers, and my grandmother, who was married to my Japanese American grandfather who enlisted in the Army, sent many letters and petitions against the camps.

On the other side of my family, my mother's side, my grandparents were raising a family of 10 children in Maui, having left Japan in 1920 to work in the sugar cane plantations in Hawaii. I loved seeing local Hawaii boys represented in this book as part of the 442nd all Japanese regimen, as it's a huge source of pride that despite the discrimination and mistreatment that these soldiers experienced, they fought for their beloved America nonetheless.

But on to the book itself! I absolutely loved the format - the hybrid mix of a novel with traditional chapters representing life in the internment camp from little sister Mari's point of view, interspersed with graphic novel sections representing big brother Mak's experience as a soldier in the 442nd regimen. The storytelling was superb, and the formats merged together seamlessly.

Both siblings experienced hardships but demonstrated perseverance and resilience and heart. These are characters that I felt a kinship with. Because the target audience of this book are children, there is nothing too violent or graphic despite the harsh conditions and tragic circumstances.

A must read for young readers! I will be getting a copy for my own children as soon as it comes out!

Mari's Japanese American family is interned at the Manzanar Camp during World War II. Mari's brother, Mat, joins the army and Mari makes a vow of silence until he returns.

This book gives a realistic perspective of daily life while imprisoned at Manzanar and a look through the lens of a Japanese American soldier as he faces discrimination while fighting for his country.

The story is a mix of prose and graphic novel. I think this method works well with the characters and subject.

I was offered a sample of My Nest of Silence from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.