Blue Skies, Troubled Waters

Blue Skies, Troubled Waters, tells the remarkable true story of twin sisters Ath and Kath, born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1933, whose family is uprooted and deported to the jungles of Indonesia due to their father’s undocumented status. Their new life is quickly shattered when, in 1942, Japan invades, and the family is imprisoned as civilian prisoners of war.

Through the eyes of these young girls, we witness a tale of resilience, hope, and the strength of family amidst the chaos of World War II. The twins’ journey mirrors the courage of a village united against unimaginable hardship, revealing how bonds of love and community can endure even the most harrowing of times.

Co-authored by her grandson, this memoir blends personal narrative with newly uncovered historical records, maps, and photographs, bringing to life a forgotten chapter of history and the enduring spirit of survival.

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Courage battles despair in this story as seen through the eyes of an American twin girl deported to Indonesia with her family at the start of WWII. Not long after settling in their new home, Japan’s forces invade, and the family is imprisoned as civilian prisoners of war.