Vancouver, 1942. When best friends Esther and Michiko spot the beautiful Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret dolls — in vogue at the time — in the local toy store window, they long to get the dolls for their shared birthday. But when Esther receives the doll and Michiko doesn't, their friendship starts to unravel.
The story is set against the backdrop of an atmosphere of increasing hostility and racist attacks upon the Japanese community — culminating in the Internment. During much of the story, restrictions on Japanese Canadians are increasing. Then Michiko and her family are sent away.
With such enormous barriers erected between them, Esther and Michiko are left to their own devices as to how to mend their friendship.
"The Princess Dolls has the feel of a classic book that flawlessly places childhood concerns in a historical context."
— Resource Links
On Resource Links' list of The Year's Best in 2018
Shortlisted for the 2020 Western Canada Jewish Book Awards, Children/Youth category
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