Bento Box in the Heartland My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America

Food is often that which makes sense of the seemingly senseless. InBento Box in the Heartland,Linda Furiya proves just that by describing what it was like growing up as the only Asian family in rural Indiana. She tells a uniquely American story about girlhood, racism, assimilation, and the love of homemade food. It chronicles the bittersweet journey of Linda's Japanese-American attempts to blend into the culture of the small farm community of Versailles, Indiana. While Linda struggles, her experiences are put into perspective by her parent's personal stories of inspiration and courage. Linda paints an endearing portrait of her parents. They consider a twelve-hour trip to Chicago just to replenish the pantry with Japanese items as the perfect Saturday outing, driving to Florida to cure their hankering for fresh fish as the perfect summer vacation, and maintaining their Japanese diets with gusto as the perfect anecdote for any challenge. While her parents appear oblivious to any racial reactions, Linda is completely aware. Concluding every chapter with an appropriate Japanese recipe,Bento Box in the Heartlandoffers an insightful tale of a young Japanese-American being different, and gaining strength through childhood experience and the food of her homeland.Furiya, Linda is the author of 'Bento Box in the Heartland My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America', published 2006 under ISBN 9781580051910 and ISBN 158005191X.