What might be some arguments in favor of teaching Eyes of the Emperor (a novel by Graham Salisbury) in elementary or secondary school?

Although Eyes of the Emperor, a novel
by Graham Salisbury, might be too intense a book for elementary school readers, one
might argue that it is certainly appropriate to readers in high schools. Arguments in
favor of teaching it there might include the
following:

• The main character, Eddy Okubo, is
  sixteen. High school students might therefore be able to relate to his
  experiences.


• The novel is set during World War II and
  thus would help acquaint adolescent readers with that important period in American
  history.


• The novel is based on real events and would thus
  have added historical value.


• The novel deals with issues
  of racial prejudice and discrimination from which American society is still not entirely
  free.


• The novel highlights the experiences of Japanese
  Americans, a group that is not often featured in
  fiction.


• The novel deals with generational differences –
  a perennially relevant theme.


• The novel deals with
  adolescent friendships – another perennially relevant
  theme.


• At a time when many young men and women are taking
  part in wars, the themes of war and patriotism in this novel seem highly
  relevant.


• At a time when the patriotism of some Americans
  is being questioned because of their ethnic identities, the emphasis on ethnic prejudice
  in this book is highly relevant.


• The novel deals with
  achieving respect despite enormous odds – a theme likely to appeal to many adolescents.
  At the end of the book, Eddy and his friends are commended by a superior
  officer:

readability="6">

"You've proved your worth and your loyalty ten
times over...even in the minds of your most stalwart
critics."

• The
  novel has been recommended by professional reviewers and regular readers, and one  of
  the latter, a teacher, says on Amazon.com that her students reacted to the book with
  enthusiasm:

readability="6">

"Whoa!" "Cool!" "What detail": These are the kind
of comments my 7th grade students made when I read them an excerpt from Chapters 16 and
17 of EYES OF THE EMPEROR.