Dash by Kirby Larson is praised for its heartfelt portrayal of a Japanese American girl's internment camp experience during World War II, highlighting themes of resilience and friendship. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and historical accuracy. Some critics, however, find the pacing slow. Overall, it’s a compelling read for both young and mature audiences.

Readers who enjoy Dash by Kirby Larson are typically young adults interested in historical fiction, especially set during WWII. Fans of Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff or Number the Stars by Lois Lowry will appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and the exploration of themes like friendship, loyalty, and resilience.

In Dash by Kirby Larson, Mitsi Kashino, an 11-year-old Japanese-American girl, navigates the hardships of life following the Pearl Harbor attack, which leads to her family's relocation to an American concentration camp. Mitsi endures severe racial discrimination, the trauma of forced removal, and separation from her beloved dog, Dash, but she finds solace in new friendships, letters from Dash, and her determination. The book features depictions of anti-Japanese racism and the trauma connected to the concentration camps Americans made for Japanese people.

Kirby Larson

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Dash reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Dash | SuperSummary

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content

Overview

Get ready to explore Dash and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Dash Summary and Study Guide

Background

Dash Background

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section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Dash Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-9

Dash Chapters 6-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-13

Dash Chapters 10-13 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 14-Author’s Note

Dash Chapter 14-Author’s Note Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Dash Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Dash Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Dash Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Dash Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Dash Essay Topics

Dash

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Dash?

Reading Age

Book Details