Orchards by Holly Thompson

Orchards by Holly Thompson
  1. Bibliography
Thompson, Holly. Orchards. Ember, 2012. ISBN 0385739788.
  1. Plot Summary
The story begins with the narrator talking about a suicide that has shaken her
world. As the story continues, the reader finds out more about Ruth’s death. Kana
is speaking to Ruth through her poetic lines. As quickly as the story opens, we see
the narrator being sent to Japan to live with relatives for a while. It is easy to see
that Kana is angry about this move. Through hard work, Kana begins to make a life
for herself in Japan. She grows comfortable with her family, and befriends her
cousin. Just as quickly as Kana grows comfortable, her whole world shifts again.
Kana recieves word that another classmate has committed suicide. Kana is confused
and does not understand why she chose to end her life. As this news makes its way
to Kana, her time in Japan has neared the end. When she arrives home, Kana
reunites with friends and family alike, to create a memory walk in memorial of the
two girls who passed away. 
  1. Critical Analysis
Orchards is written in lyric form, without punctuation, except for the occasional
comma.  Holly Thompson created a story with an unusual point of view. The main
character, Kana, is speaking to her dead friend, who has recently committed suicide.
I can’t help but think that by speaking to her friend through verse, Kana is creating
a sort-of therapy for herself, helping understand her emotions and get through
tough times. 
Kana is half Jewish and half Japanese, which plays a part in how she feels. Kana
doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere. “...they seem to think I can just switch one
half of me on and leave the other half of me off…” (Pg.35)
Another interesting point of view in this story is how, while in Japan her aunt tells
Kana she”...needs to eat less American and more Japanese…” (Pg. 143) Kana then
retorts by saying,”...We eat Russian, Jewish, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese,
Koean, Middle Eastern, Greek, even Ethiiopian…” (Pg. 143) By listing different
nationalities, Kana is stating how there is a melting pot in America of all different
ethnicities.   
  1. Review Excerpts
  • APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature Winner
  • ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book
  • "This lyrical look at bullying and the afterschocks of suicide may be gut-wrenching,
but Orchards is crafted with a sensitive beauty."- Review, The Winston-Salem Journal
  • “A fast-paced page-turner that explores the rippling effects of suicide.”
- Review, Kirkus Reviews
  1. Connections
  • Suggestion to read 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher with this story; another novel that
deals with the topic of teen suicide
  • You could even watch the Netflix series of 13 Reasons Why paired with this topic
  • Be aware, when suggesting this read that it deals with more mature content and might
need parent permission to allow to read 

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