Book & Film Groups
Japan through Children’s Literature
Through this story of a fifth-grade student's supernatural adventure during summer break, readers explore Japanese children’s summer activities, Japan’s cultural traditions and beliefs, and the genre of fantasy in Japanese children's literature. Participants read Temple Alley Summer, by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Miho Satake, and translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa, to consider and discuss the literary features of the “outer” and “inner” stories, as well as social studies connections and classroom applications.