Chapter 3, A Different Kind of Sand Summary and Analysis

Jeanne and her family begin their life in Manzanar covered with dust and cold. However, they show a humor that will help them to survive. Laughter at their circumstances enables them to get through some of the hardest situations. The first morning at Manzanar introduces Jeanne and her family to the dust. They wake up covered with a fine, gray dust. Jeanne's brother, Woody, cheerfully calls through the wall, asking if they fell into the same flour barrel. "No." Kiyo yells back. "Ours is full of Japs." (p. 22)

Woody brings tin can lids, a hammer and nails, and a broom to clean up. He directs brothers Ray and Kiyo to cover the knotholes in the walls by breakfast, or they will have to eat the sand with ketchup. When Kiyo asks...