Noteworthy Press
Kiyo Sato and Dandelion Through the Crack have been making news since day one.
We present some of her many accomplishments that have been recognized in the press. (Note: these were previously posted on the Home page.)
Kiyo "Packs the House" at Torrance Public Library
Kiyo was the guest speaker for Torrance Public Library under their Meet The Author program and enthralled a standing-room-only crowd for over an hour. Kiyo spoke eloquently about the events in Dandelion Through the Crack, the other internment camps, and life in general for Japanese-Americans after Executive Order 9066 was issued.
Kiyo was excited to have her nephew present and was privileged to have people from every camp in attendance. There were even people who had been students at the same Edward Kelley school in Sacramento that Kiyo attended. See photos here...
Kiyo is Guest Speaker at Fort Irwin Event
May 20, 2008
On May 20, Fort Irwin and the National Training Center held their Asian-Pacific Heritage Month celebration with Kiyo as their guest speaker. As the base's newsletter The High Desert Warrior noted, Kiyo "returned to somewhat familiar ground" as the harsh, hot, desert environment at the training ground is exactly like that at Poston, not too far to the southeast.
Kiyo was treated with great respect and had kind words for her escorts, Sergeants Addy and Kalawaia. She and the other guests for the celebration were treated to dinner and were joined by the commanding officer of the 916th Support Brigade, Colonel Gaffney.
Kiyo also was given a brief tour of the training area including a visit to a mock town, Medina Wasl. She said it was fascinating and wished she had more time and energy to explore its alleys.
In her 20 minute presentation, Kiyo painted a picture of the struggles and trials her family and all the other Japanese-Americans suffered during the internment. She related many anecdotes, including the preparations her wise father made for the journey to the camp. Her presentation was extremely well-received by all.
Kiyo a Guest Speaker at Smithsonian Institution
February 19, 2009
Kiyo was one of three distinguished writers who spoke at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC about their recent titles highlighting the Japanese American experience. This was part of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program to mark the 67th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the subsequent imprisonment of 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II.
Kiyo Wins Saroyan Competition!
September 5, 2008
Kiyo received the William Saroyan Prize for International Writing (non-fiction). Stanford University Libraries, in partnership with the William Saroyan Foundation, announced the winners during a ceremony held at Stanford.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/september10/saroyan-091008.html
More Well-deserved Recognition!
April 25, 2008
Dandelion Through the Crack and Kiyo Sato received the highest awards from Northern California Publishers & Authors this past weekend.
The NCPA 2008 Awards (for books published in 2007) were presented in Sacramento, California.
Dandelion Through the Crack received the Gold Award (best overall book).
Kiyo's hard work and excellent writing were further recognized when she was honored with the Best First Book award.
Award of Excellence!
March 25, 2008
Kiyo received the Award of Excellence in Publications from the Sacramento County Historical Society for her inspirational memoir, Dandelion Through the Crack.
Kiyo in the News!
Kiyo and Dandelion Through the Crack have received some terrific exposure recently.
When Kiyo traveled to Poston earlier this year for the premiere showing of Passing Poston (see announcement below), she was accompanied by Sacramento News10's Sharon Ito.
Newsweek also covered the story in a series of videos.
Experience Poston!
Hear first hand accounts from Kiyo and other Poston survivors as they speak openly about their lives at the internment camp and what it felt like to be stripped of American citizenship and treated like an enemy by their own country.
In Dandelion Through the Crack, you will read Kiyo's enthralling and moving memoir of her life before, during, and after Poston. Through this film, Passing Poston, you will hear the experiences of three more internees: Ruth Okimoto, Mary Higashi, and Leon Uyeda.
For an educational experience that will further bring to life both the hardships and the joys related in Dandelion Through the Crack, be sure to see this excellent documentary.
To learn more and to view the trailer, visit www.passingposton.com.