Fish for Jimmy Inspired by One Family's Experience in a Japanese American Internment Camp

For two boys in a Japanese American family, everything changed when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States went to war.


With the family forced to leave their home and go to an internment camp, Jimmy loses his appetite. Older brother Taro takes matters into his own hands and, night after night, sneaks out of the camp and catches fresh fish for Jimmy to help make him strong again.

This affecting tale of courage and love is an adaptation of the author's true family story, and includes a letter to readers with more information about the historical background and inspiration.

Katie Yamasaki is a muralist, author, and teacher. When she was growing up, the World War II internment of 110,000 Japanese and Japanese American citizens was never discussed in school—even though most of Katie's Japanese family was interned.  Inspired by her family's history, she wrote Fish for Jimmy to honor their bravery and the memory of those like them. Based in Brooklyn, New York, she travels widely across the world to paint in and work with diverse communities.  She is passionate about art as dialogue and storytelling.