"Deportation, occupation, war-each driven by a singular idea: survival against all odds. Blue Skies, Troubled Waters traces the footsteps of Ath, her twin sister Kath, and their family as they experience deportation from New Jersey to the Minahasa Peninsula in North Sulawesi, just before Indonesia's transition from Dutch to Japanese occupation. Yet, their story only begins there. Amid horrors and separation, an arrow of resilience pierces through, revealing the enduring strength of community, and the comfort of songs. Ath and her family's story remain relevant to our times, demonstrating how our stories intertwine across the world, and how the tremors of history continue to shape lives today. This memoir bears witness to our shared history and humanity, ensuring that they are not forgotten." -Jeddie Sophronius, author of Interrogation Records

"An Unforgettable Journey of Resilience, Family, and Survival

Blue Skies, Troubled Waters" is a memoir unlike any other-a rare and moving account of twin sisters Ath and Kath, whose family is uprooted from New Jersey and deported to the remote jungles of Indonesia, only to be caught in the crossfire of World War II. Through their young eyes, readers are plunged into the heart of a civilian prison camp under Japanese occupation, witnessing firsthand the horrors and hopes that define survival.

This book is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. The twins' journey, co-authored by Ath's grandson, brings to life the power of family and community in the face of unimaginable hardship. Every chapter is rich with emotion and historical insight, supported by newly revealed maps, personal photos, and documents that deepen the reader's understanding of this forgotten chapter of history.

The authors capture both the innocence and resilience of childhood in wartime, showing us how courage can blossom in even the darkest circumstances. It's not just a war story-it's a story of love, unity, and hope. This story will stay with you long after you turn the last page, a haunting reminder of the strength that can be found when we stand together.

In today's climate, where refugees and immigrants around the world are once again facing persecution and displacement, this story feels more relevant than ever. "Blue Skies, Troubled Waters" is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the resilience of the human spirit-and the price that is often paid by those caught in the tides of history." -Ellen Laura, author

"Sparkling with energetic, visual prose, this page-turner invites us into a child's direct experience of World War II in what is now Indonesia (then a Dutch colony)...Today's readers will benefit from this history as we face into our own generation's world-wide struggles with immigration, deportation, violent warfare, racial hatred, oppressive governments, and changing weather patterns. There is much for us to learn from this touching and remarkable gift from the heart." -Louise Dunlap, elder, teacher, and author of Inherited Silence: Listening to the Land, Healing the Colonizer Mind.

"If I had to use one word to describe Blue Skies, Troubled Waters, it would be Love." -Martha Cinader for Listen & Be Heard

Publisher: Together Mapalus Press

Pub date: 2025-04-29

Length: 294 pages