Hunt for the Bamboo Rat

In 1941, seventeen-year-old Zenji Watanabe is recruited by the U.S. Army as a special undercover intelligence agent working in Manila. He's caught and thrown in a POW camp. When he eventually escapes, he gets lost in the jungle for months. Inspired by the real-life story of Richard Sakakida's service during World War II, it's a fascinating tale of espionage, torture, escape, and survival.

In August 1941, seventeen-year-old Zenji Watanabe is out of high school and ready to make a future for himself. He is Nisei, speaks perfect English and Japanese, and is recruited by the U.S. Army as a special undercover intelligence agent working in Manila, code name: Bamboo Rat. It's a dangerous assignment to be in the Philippines on the eve of Japanese invasion and imminent American involvement. He's American, but looks Japanese, and soon finds himself caught in the middle; indeed, he's thrown in a POW camp, tortured, and forced to be a houseboy and office worker for Colonel Fujimoto in Manila. When he eventually escapes, he gets lost in the jungle for months. Inspired by the real-life story of Hawaii-born Richard Sakakida's service during World War II, it's a tale of espionage, torture, escape, and jungle survival. There's somewhat of a disconnect between the prose style, which is appropriate for younger readers, and the mature content. The minimalist cadence is distancing, making it difficult to engage with the story: "Breathe. Long, slow breath. Think. He's just a guy. Got a little sister. A dog. His mother likes him. Maybe." Still, the history is fascinating, and Zenji is a fictional hero readers will long remember. dean schneider