Graham Salisbury
Today (Sept 27, 2005) was a rare fall day and while I enjoyed the weather, I truly adored the treat of meeting the award winning author Graham Salisbury at A Likely Story Children's Bookstore, Alexandria, VA. Speaking to a group of eighth graders, Mr. Salisbury (nicknamed "Sandy") displayed a great deal of aplomb and gracious interaction with his audience. The students were totally enraptured and there was not the least bit of restless movement. At one point, they were literally open mouthed with what he was relating. I thought he seemed like a master teacher in his approach to leading the students to an understanding of the subject matter of his books and his methods of writing. Later I learned that he had indeed trained to be a teacher and has taken professional speaking courses to polish up his natural affinity for interacting with people. In his former (before writing) life he was a musician (modestly describing himself as "a self taught guitar player") and his showmanship comes through as he relates tales of his childhood in Hawaii.
Those childhood memories were a direct impetus for his writing career. He had a driving desire to record his childhood adventures and wanted to preserve those parts of his life that he considers "the best years." Having grown up in Hawaii, he now lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and three children (Sons 14 and 12, and Daughter 7). The influence of Hawaii on his life is obviously profound. He told me he visits family and friends there "around 6 times a year." I would say that he cannot live too long without an infusion of those islands once called The Sandwich Islands. He told the gathered group that his "great-great-etc. grandfather" had gone to the islands in the 1820's to be a missionary and that his family has been there ever since. Growing up in the island setting was the perfect training ground for this author. Many of the stories that are related in his books were born of his youthful adventures there. Thus far, all of his stories are set in the islands and feature boys on the cusp of manhood. Each of his characters seems to have a great sense of adventure as well as a very well developed sense of honor. He allows us to see, through their eyes, a vast array of human emotions and experiences. He does not shrink from difficult subjects and gives his characters room to grow. Readers are rewarded with fast paced but thoughtful prose that reveals the hearts of the characters without sentimentalization.
He stressed to the listeners that "research and revision" are his by-words as he writes. His day begins at 4:45 am (this elicited groans from the audience) and he told them that he "plugs along writing for about three hours every day." He also values making time for exercise and healthy living among the many things he accomplishes each day. After discovering that the computer "caused" him to put off writing by enticing him to read his e-mail and answer it (a time investment of several hours as he receives lots of messages), he began to frequent a local coffee shop where he could "get lost in his writing" and not be "distracted." He actually wrote his most recent book in long hand and his wife transcribed it onto the computer. Sometimes he does work on his lap top and appreciates the computer age. He described his twelve year old son helping him develop a power point presentation of slides from his research for The Eyes of the Emperor(a companion book to Under the Blood Red Sun), his latest novel.
The students questioned his approach to the task of writing. They wondered how much he managed to write in his allotted time. Averaging 1500 words at a stretch, he sometimes counts 500 words a "done" day and on good days he can reach 5000 words. He spends a great deal of time doing research and preparing the bones of an outline before he begins to write, but after that he just forges ahead with the first draft. The initial writing has its own purpose-to capture the ideas on paper and serve as the skeleton for the project. Then he sets about to revise, revise, revise. THEN he sends it off to his editor and she sends it back for more revisions! He met his editor at a writing conference in Oregon and has continued to work with her to the present. He had a great deal of praise for her expertise in helping "polish" his work and at times even requiring him to begin completely over with a different point of view. The idea of "starting all over" was a tough concept for the students to accept; but, I think that they saw the value of doing just that as Mr. Salisbury described how a change in point of view made an entirely different book. She had told him that the story was there but that the writing was "flat." He took on a different "voice" and Under the Blood Red Sun was re-born in the voice of the Japanese boy, Tomi.
Like many other great writers, Graham Salisbury has had a variety of jobs and training in his life. All of which has give him a perceptive insight into human behavior and that rare touch, the abiltity to share the insight in beautifully written novels populated with believable and enduring characters. He told us that he reads for pleasure and reads as a writer. The books he reads for "work" are studied for the best passages. He observes what works and strives to make that happen in his own writing. I loved it that he said that he collects "action verbs"-"verbs can go along way to describe an action perfectly."
The Eyes of the Emperor is dedicated to the real soldiers that the story is based upon. Graham Salisbury had the opportunity to present a finished copy to the real life soldier who was the inspiration for the main character "The book, the writing was my gift to these courageous people." The degree of dedication with which he approaches his work and the observations he shares are indeed a gift to the rest of us as captivated readers. We will eagerly await The House of the Red Fish, the sequel to Under the Blood Red Sun.
Contributor: Sheilah Egan
To learn more about Graham Salisbury visit www.grahamsalisbury.com
Reviews
Eyes of The Emperor
Graham Salisbury
This title is about a young man who lives in Hawaii and is of Japanese descent, Eddie Okubo. At the beginning of the book, Eddie's father, a boat builder, has probably suffered an act of racial prejudice and Eddie enlists in the Army to help his family and move on with his life. He expects adventure and a chance for a future different than what his father envisioned for him, but instead he meets incredible prejudice. He becomes part of a group of Japanese-American enlisted boys who are used as "bait" to train attack dogs. His father's anger at Eddie's initial betrayal--of leaving him and the family business--turns to shame at being Japanese. Eddie's buddies learn about bitterness and betrayal. In a very convincing way we see the struggle for human dignity on many levels in what was clearly another very dark point in terms of American history. 2005, Random House, $15.95 and $17.99. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Edie Ching (Children's Literature).
Eddy Okubo considers himself American. Even though his father keeps insisting that Eddy go to Japan for college, Eddy has no desire to learn more about Japanese culture. Eddy would rather stay in Hawaii and join the American army like his other friends. Shortly after Eddy lies about his age in order to join, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Overnight, Eddy, his friends, and anyone else of Japanese ancestry are no longer trusted. All soldiers of Japanese decent are assigned special detail such as digging trenches under guard. They even have to turn in their weapons. Then Eddy and his friends are sent to a small island for a secret mission. The army is training guard dogs and, working under the theory that people of Japanese ancestry smell different, need Eddy and others like him to work as bait. This intense story deals with the horrors of both war and prejudice. Stories about the treatment of the Japanese-Americans during World War Two are numerous, but this story shows a very different angle: the treatment of the Japanese-American soldiers. Eddy is a very realistic and sympathetic character and the reader quickly becomes invested in his plight. Salisbury's research helped create a very vivid and chilling setting. Without a single shot being fired, Eyes of the Emperor is one of the most gripping stories ever written about World War Two. 2004, Scholastic, $15.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature).
Once again, talented Graham Salisbury successfully drops the reader into the shoes of the main character, and in effect, allows the reader to see the tale from the inside out. In 1941, Japanese-American Eddy Okubo joins the U.S. Army just after a mysterious sinking of a new boat built by his father. Eddy's enlistment devastates his father, who planned for him to go to college in Japan, and causes an impenetrable tension between the two. Upon the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, being stationed with his buddies and contributing to the American cause appeals to Eddy. The action they see is unexpected. A move to a jungle island offers them training for a secret project. Tragically, the young Japanese-American soldiers fall into little-known chapter of history and are used as bait for training killer attack dogs. A riveting event takes place when Eddy comes face to face with his killer dog while he is bogged down by his water-laden attack suit. During the attack the fates of Eddy and the dog trainer, too, straddle a thin line between life and death. The racial division between the Japanese-American soldiers and Caucasian soldiers is apparent. But in the end, a new respect develops between some of the trainers and trainees. Salisbury's story is power-packed, fast-paced, emotionally-charged and, at times, gut-wrenching. This historic tale must be added to any study of WWII--it is sensitive and needs to be told. Award-winning Salisbury tackles a difficult subject and molds it into an unforgettable read. 2005, Wendy Lamb Books/Random House, $15.95 and $17.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Booklist Book Review Stars , May 15, 2005; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, July 1, 2005; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, September 5, 2005; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-385-72971-5
ISBN: 0-385-90874-1
Island Boyz: Short Stories
Graham Salisbury
Clandestine longings, temptations, centipedes that lurk in unexpected corners, a land rolling like honey. These are the elements of place in Salisbury's short story collection. Prefaced by lyrical free verse, the stories are set in Hawaii, and more significantly, they are set squarely in the consciousness of teenaged boys. In "Mrs. Noonan," justice and truth are in conflict and in the end, the bullied and belittled protagonist makes a decision that is both deeply flawed and oddly poignant. "Hat of Clouds," despite its low-key ending, contains brilliant prose and in places, tension as taut as a fishing line. A single sentence about the mother's reaction to the news of her son's injury in Vietnam evokes an entire palette of emotions. Salisbury's craft turns each of these stories into a snapshot, the Hawaiian sunlight illuminating both the inner pain and the life-force of his characters. The history and the multiple intertwined cultures of the islands form more than a lush backdrop. It is warp to the weft of story. 2002, Wendy Lamb/Random House, $16.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Booklist Book Review Stars, Apr. 15, 2002; United States
Capitol Choices, 2002; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Choices, 2003; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2002; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, March 15, 2002; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2002; Cahners; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Volunteer State Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Young Adult; Tennessee
ISBN: 0-385-90037-6
ISBN: 0-385-72970-7
Lord of the Deep
Graham Salisbury
Any reader who enjoys edge-of-your-seat suspense and mystery will enjoy this award-winning author's latest book. Mikey is thirteen and thrilled to be a deck hand on his stepdad's charter boat. Mikey really admires his stepdad, Bill, and Bill has faith and confidence in Mikey. It is a big job, but Mikey knows he is lucky to be allowed to fish and work on Bill's boat. He gives little thought to the people who charter the boat, sometimes for days at a time. But Mikey learns there are rougher things to handle in life than his job, and one of these is the truth. The anglers who charter Bill's boat are out to catch the fish of a lifetime--marlin, tuna, dolphin and shark. Some fisherman play by the professional game fish rules while others do not. Mikey learns lessons about people and tough choices. Author Graham Salisbury is the winner of the John Unterecker Award for fiction. This is his fifth book and it is sure to be a big hit with his fans or any reader who likes a good adventure story. 2001, Delacorte Press, $15.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Sue Reichard (Children's Literature).
Adventure also often signals a "boy book," but Graham Salisbury has a talent for satisfying this hard-to-please audience and reaching beyond to a wider readership. Mikey is the main character in Lord of the Deep (unabridged, 3 cassettes, 4 hours). This thirteen-year-old Hawaiian boy knows the depths of the ocean and the habits of marlin and mahi-mahi, and the fishing theme will hook some readers. Mikey's understanding of human relationships is not so clear and this will catch other readers who care more about feelings than fishing. Mikey's values and knowledge come mostly from his loving stepfather, Bill. But when Bill's boat is chartered by two spoiled, wealthy sportsmen, Mikey sees a different side of his stepfather. These men have no respect for either Hawaii's natural beauty or its people, and Mikey, confused by his stepfather's acquiesce, is disgusted when Bill lies to benefit these obnoxious men. Mikey matures as he takes responsibility for his own failings, accepts his stepfather's weakness, and sees that the world is more gray than black-and-white. Robert Ramirez reads in a clipped, slightly-accented voice, giving a sense of the Hawaiian setting, voicing a young boy's questions about life and family, and keeping the story moving briskly along. 2002, Recorded Books on Tape, $28.00. Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Books for Young Adults, 2002; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2001; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Capitol Choices, 2001; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2001; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Fanfare Honor List, 2001; Horn Book; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, August 2001; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 2001; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Boston Globe--Horn Book Awards Winner 2002 Fiction and Poetry United States
Parents' Choice Award Gold 2001 Fiction United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Vermont
Golden Sower Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Young Adult; Nebraska
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Grades 6 - 8; Pennsylvania
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 3-6; Texas
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Indiana
Virginia Young Readers Program, 2003-2004; Nominee; Middle (Grades 6-9); Virginia
ISBN: 0-385-72918-9
ISBN: 0-7887-9361-6
ISBN: 1-40252-316-5
Under the Blood Red Sun
Graham Salisbury
Another family lives under duress in Graham Salisbury's Under the Blood-Red Sun. Tomi is a baseball-loving, Japanese-American boy born in Hawaii, pre- World War II. Tomi has conflicted feelings about his heritage; he is sometimes ashamed of his eccentric grandfather and confused about the subtle prejudices that surround him. All these things intensify with the bombing of Pearl Harbor; Tomi's father's fishing boat is sunk and his grandfather and father are taken away. Tomi, with the support of his friends, finds new courage and strength within himself. He's able to care for his family and understand and take pride in his ancestry. Pearl Harbor comes late in the book, giving readers an opportunity to appreciate Tomi's emerging sense of self and the environment surrounding the event in a way that reveals history in a very personal way. 1994, Delacorte, $15.95, $4.50 and $3.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
Best Books for Young Adults, 1995; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars, October 15, 1994; United States
Books in the Middle: Outstanding Books, 1994; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1994; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, Second Edition, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, 1994; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Books for Children, 1994; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 1998; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
School Library Journal: Best Books for Young Adults, 1994; Cahners; United States
Teachers' Choices, 1995; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
California Young Reader Medal Winner 1999 Middle School California
Nene Award Winner 1998 Hawaii
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner 1995 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
California Young Reader Medal, 1999; Nominee; Middle School; California
California Young Reader Medal, 1999; Nominee; Middle School/Junior High; California
Iowa Children's Choice Award, 1998-1999; Nominee; Iowa
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 1998; Nominee; Illinois
Utah Children's Book Awards, 1998; Nominee; Young Adult; Utah
William Allen White Children's Book Award, 1996-1997; Nominee; Kansas
ISBN: 0-385-32099-X
ISBN: 0-440-41139-4
Added 10/01/05
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.