Pocket Stones: A World War II Childhood is the fascinating, true story of “Pooh”, a young girl growing up with her family in the war-torn Philippines. Although World War II happened a long time ago readers of all ages will identify with Pooh’s struggles between right and wrong, joy and sadness, obedience and rebellion. While caring for her younger siblings and helping her family by scrounging for food, water, and firewood, Pooh also has the freedom for childhood adventure. Join her as she thwarts a chicken thief, crashes her wooden crate “airplane”, and argues her way into a job in a U.S. Army field kitchen. Biracial and unconventional, she returns the taunts and stones of neighborhood bullies with her slingshot, but also plays her violin for a sad Japanese officer. Pooh’s stories are made vivid by the whimsical drawings of illustrator Barbara Pollak.

Barbara-Ann Gamboa Lewis, daughter of a Filipino father and Irish mother, grew up in the Philippines. When she was seven years old Japan bombed Manila, pushing the Philippines into World War II. Pocket Stones is an autobiographical account of her childhood during the years of Japanese occupation and American liberation.