There's an enemy sub in Potter's Pond by George D Durrant

by George D. Durrant

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jake learns the meaning of friendship, courage, and loyalty when public opinion threatens his friendship with a young Japanese.

Genres: Religion, Young Adult

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.S. Lewis once said something like the mark of a good children's book is that adults enjoy it as well.

This book, written by a present member of the Utah Supreme Court, is one of the best children's books ever written. I highly recommend it to anyone. It deals with a lot of complex issues during times of war (particularly WWII and our conflict with Japan). You can read it in about 3 hours, and it is worth every minute.

[Andee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad wrote most of this book! I might have it as a book of the month because it really is so good. It's written from the point of view of a young boy who lived during World War II. He has a friend who is Japanese and treated badly. Themes of courage, love, and acceptance ensue.

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently re-read this book out of sheer nostalgia. My mother bought this book for me when I was about eleven or twelve years old, and my wife recently came across a used copy and bought it to replace my old, tattered copy.

The book is written in a style reminiscent of Twain's classics, and the story is about Jake, a young boy in a small rural town called Rooster Creek, whose life of interminable school days and adventures at the nearby creek are thrown into turmoil with the news of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Jake's older brother immediately joins the Marines and goes to war, and Jake's father, and much of the town, turn against the Tanakas, a Japanese immigrant family.

Jake's best friend is Sam Tanaka, and Jake's father and all of his friends tell him that Sam and his family are the enemy, and under pressure, Jake turns against his best friend. Yet Jake's mother continues to bring meals for Mrs. Tanaka, who is battling cancer.

After Jake sees a note from his mother saying that she is going to Mrs. Tanaka's funeral, Jake runs to get there as well, to support his best friend, who he now realizes is not the enemy.

The story is a story of friendship, loyalty, and courage in the face of enormous public pressure for a young boy to abandon his friend.

[Kay Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read in years. Reminds me of Huckleberry Finn!

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great kids book about WWII and friendship!!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, with good reminders. The grammar is a little much for me though.

[Jason Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this great short book at the DI for $0.50. I appreciate a children’s books that can teach important lessons, capture a child's attention and still be interesting enough for adults to enjoy reading as well. This story does all three. The story takes place in the fictional town of Rooster Creek; however one gets the impression that this town is located somewhere in Utah because of other familiar landmarks that are mentioned including Saratoga Springs and Timpanogos. The story begins a few months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Jack is regular boy who enjoys using his imagination while playing with his friends. After the Japanese attack the U.S. he begins to question whether he should continue being friends with his best friend Sam whose parents are 1st generation immigrants from Japan. What makes his decision even more challenging is that Jack's father, his friends, and most of the town begins to shun and question the loyalty of Sam's family's as Americans. I think the lessons taught in this book are even more relevant today as we see people ostracizing Latinos, Muslims, and other groups based on their place of origin. The story is written in the informal casual style where words are written as the boys would have pronounced them instead of the correct spelling in much the way Tom Sawyer was written. This style surprisingly adds some humor to the story instead of detracting as I might have originally expected. I read this to my boys ages 10 & 12 and they both enjoyed it very much.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom read this book to me when I was really young. I still think about it all the time. It is one of my all time favorite books.

UPDATE July 2024:

I read this book when I was a small child. I loved it then, and loved it again. I had to buy it off Amazon as it is no longer in print and I couldn’t find it anywhere. I read it in one day, and then started reading it to my boys at night. It has started a lot of conversations about World War 2, maniacs, and atomic bombs. We aren’t through yet, but I hope it also helps them become more aware of friendships and kindness. Love this book and it remains on my top 10 list.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother read this to us when we were kids and last summer I returned the favor and read it to my children. They loved it. Written in first person about a boy living in a semi-rural community during the time of Pearl Harbor. It hits some pretty deep subjects in a very straightforward but accessible way for children, especially dealing with prejudice.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a teen I found this book very interesting and it caused me to think about how I viewed and treated other people and about prejudice. I was also interested in the era in which hte story is set, and lived near the geographic setting.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about two young boys, one American, and one American Japanese, at the time of WWII. It's heart-warming as the American boy has to decide what principles and values to stick to. I love this book.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book that provides a lot of opportunities to talk about prejudice with kids. The setting is WWII and two best friends (one Japanese American) who struggle through their relationship after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. A short but fun book to read with the family.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I remember reading on my own.