So Far from the Bamboo Grove

Blurb

So Far from the Bamboo Grove is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Yoko Kawashima Watkins, a Japanese American writer. It was originally published by Beech Tree in April 1986.
Watkins was awarded the Literary Lights for Children Award by Associates of the Boston Public Library in 1998 and the Courage of Conscience Award by the Peace Abbey.
Watkins's book takes place in the last days of World War II. An eleven-year-old Japanese girl, Yoko Kawashima must leave her home in Nanam, part of northern Korea with her family to escape south to Seoul, then to Pusan to return to Japan.
A Korean version of this book titled Yoko Story was published in 2005 and sold 4,000 copies of the first printing. However, it was banned soon after.
A Japanese version of this book will be available in June 2013. As of June 7, 2013, this book is at No. 1 on the Amazon Best Sellers in Books in Japan.