Nisei Daughter stands as a seminal work within Asian-American literature, offering a poignant coming-of-age narrative intertwined with a vivid depiction of life in Japanese internment camps. This firsthand account is part of a broader tapestry of works that include Joy Kogawa’s Obasan, Toshio Mori’s Yokohama, California, Yoshiko Uchida’s Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese American Family, and Miné Okubo’s Citizen 13660. Collectively, these narratives illuminate the personal upheavals endured by the 110,000 Japanese Americans who faced internment during World War II, among whom 77,000 were U.S. citizens. A tragedy largely unaddressed for four decades by the American government, this dark chapter in history profoundly affected those involved, rendering these literary works essential for understanding the deep personal and communal scars left behind.

In the late 1930s, people like Sone and her peers reached working age, yet found themselves excluded from employment opportunities in predominantly white communities. America, while ostensibly a land of opportunity, often demanded conformity from its immigrants as a ticket to success. Nevertheless, as Miyamoto points out in the introduction of Nisei Daughter, the white majority was reluctant to offer the nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, a genuine chance to assimilate. This systemic discrimination manifested in countless ways, denying many the opportunity to secure their place within the broader society.

These literary accounts serve as crucial educational tools, fostering empathy and understanding among readers. For young adults, delving into these stories cultivates a deeper awareness of the struggles faced by ethnic minorities who have fought to carve out their identities within a predominately white cultural framework. These narratives underscore the universal quest for dignity and equality, transcending boundaries of race, religion, and other defining characteristics that have historically marginalized certain groups. In embracing these stories, readers are invited to reflect on the past and consider its implications in shaping a more inclusive future.