What I love about Sherri Smith is that she meticulously researches and sheds light on different stories. This was no different. I love that it's a World War II book about Japanese characters in Japan.

This blurb from the dust jacket is what drew me to this novel: “Japan 1945. Taro is a talented violinist and a kamikaze pilot in the days before his first and only mission. He believes he is ready to die for his country . . . until he meets Hana. Hana hasn't been the same since the day she was buried alive in a collapsed trench during a bomb raid. She wonders if it would have been better to have died that day . . . until she meets Taro.”

Hana is 15 years old; Taro is 17. The war is starting to wind down with Japan not on the winning side.

Hana is one of the local school girls who work at the airbase. Their job is to support and companionship to the latest batch of kamikaze pilots. The girls cook, wash and mend their clothes, talk with them, and when it’s time to takeoff, the wave goodbye with cherry blossoms.
Hana has watched her heart; she has never even learned any of their names…that is until Taro arrives from training.

Both are musicians, Hana plays the koto while Taro plays the violin. They are instantly drawn to each, which makes both of their jobs very difficult.

I haven’t read any novels before that were from the perspective of Japanese young adults. For me, the plot dragged and there was little tension. Every time I ran across a Japanese word, I was pulled out of the story. Much to my chagrin, when I finished the book, I found a glossary in the back. If I had known it was there, my feelings might be different. Alas, “The Blossom and the Firefly” receives 2 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Beautifully written historical fiction set during WWII. This takes place in Japan and is told from 2 points of view. Hana, who is a young girl doing maid service for young men training to be pilots. Toro, is a young musician who must go to war to honor his country and serve his emperor. His father is a pilot and Toro is training to become a pilot putting his aspirations as a violinist on hold. I have been to Japan 2 times, we have a friend from there and my husband spent 2 years there so I have a small knowledge of the country,it's history, and people. This is told in such a way that it honors the Japanese culture. I don't believe this author has that ethnic background but it shows some of the things the young people were taught to value so that they would be able, and willing, to die for their country as a kamikaze pilot. Even the girls are taught that it is better to take their own life rather than be defeated. Honor is everything! Hana's story begins in the present day while Toro's story begins in his childhood. I listened to the audio version of this book. I wasn't as thrilled with the narrator for Hana at the beginning but it began to grow on me. The narrator for Toro is great! I loved the supporting characters as well as the main characters. I will recommend this to YA readers with an interest in WWII or any who just need a historical fiction. It is great to see a different perspective and begin to understand the cultural differences and motivations.

THE BLOSSOM AND THE FIREFLY is a recent work of historical fiction by Sherri L. Smith (Flygirl). Set in Japan during WWII, the story shifts in perspective between Hana, a young girl helping to do laundry and cheering on the soldiers, and Taro who is training to become a kamikaze pilot. As she shares the feelings and musings of these two young people, Smith's writing is beautiful, almost poetic, deftly describing the hardships of war: "And then we hear the rumble of the truck. And our workday begins. The brakes argue with the road as the truck stops in front of my class." She also emphasizes the joy of music and bittersweet nature of young love: "He drops into a bow. I do the same, my hair brushing the top of his flight cap. I clasp my hands to my stomach to keep from reaching for him. To keep my heart from falling out." The plot itself is a bit slow and melancholy, although Smith includes a brief battle and creatively conveys the need for courage, as with this poem:
See the dragonfly
His wings cannot go backwards
Is this bravery?
Now I am a dragonfly
I will be brave for Japan
Numerous historic details and facts about Japanese culture are woven into the text. In her author's note Smith explains that many of the girls' experiences in the book are inspired by a school diary kept by Maeda Shoko; that made me reflect on the value of our students keeping diaries and recording their feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE BLOSSOM AND THE FIREFLY will appeal to middle school and early high school readers; it received a starred review from School Library Journal.

It's a immersive read, but it's not for me. Don't get me wrong, I know there's a lot of unknown stories that happened in the most unpeaceful event of human story , but story of this book it is like I've read before in another books about WWII.

A great read-shed a light on an aspect of history that is not often covered in historical fiction. Highly recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction and especially World War II books.

The two narrations of the young Japanese boy and girl who shared a love of music during WWII is a sad, but needed story about WWII. Perhaps it is because I am the child of the "Greatest Generation" and never saw Japanese portrayed as three dimensional people sharing both love and a dedication to their country that this made such an impact on me.

This was a beautiful use of dual narration, as the story comes alive through the eyes of both main characters. I loved Hana's dedication, spirit, and how authentically the author dealt with her trauma. Her recovery was not swift or easy, but it did happen slowly over time. I also enjoyed Taro's perspective, though I found him more difficult to connect with. I think what really hit me about this book is how challenging it is to sympathize or empathize with "the enemy." Clearly, this is a war that ended 70+ years ago and the Japanese people are no longer our enemy in the least, but in terms of historical fiction, it was very jarring. But I'd say it was a welcome jarring--it's an excellent mental exercise to change your point of view. The amount of research that went into this was apparent from page one and I'm in awe of the detail in every aspect of the culture and history she portrays.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a DRC of this title for review. All opinions are my own.

This was a slow start for me, but I ended up being sucked into this atmospheric story of a kamikaze pilot and the girl he meets before he sets off on what should be his last flight. This is a wonderful addition to the WWII literature that is currently available since most of that is saturated with the German and European points of view (the Holocaust, the Americans, D-Day, etc). This story looks at what it was like in Japan during WWII and the cultural norms that led to their style of fighting and the way their country tried to persevere in wartime.

Highly recommend. Appropriate for grades 7 and up.

An intimate look at the lives of two Japanese teens who are drawn together by their duty and love of music as World War II draws to a close.

Another beautifully written book by Sherri L. Smith. I love this time period and to read something from a different point of view written by her was truly remarkable.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Beautiful novel written from the viewpoint of characters in Japan during WWII. The novel is well-written and insightful about the issues the commoners faced during the war. It was a totally different perspective and very helpful in understanding both sides of the conflict.

This tale is the love story between young kamikaze pilot Taro, who would be continuing his studies in music and playing violin instead of preparing himself to die for his country, if it were not for the Emperor's war cry and his father's determination that Taro's duty is to serve, and an introspective young woman named Hana. Hana is the daughter of tailors in Chiran, where she worked in the sweet potato fields until a she encounters war head-on when she is buried alive during a bombing, and she hasn’t been the same since her friends pulled her from that trench afterward. The novel flips from Hana’s viewpoint to Taro’s giving an intriguing and different perspective on World War II that is not often found in Historical fiction for young adults about Japan during the war. Exceptional research, story and character development help the reader dive into a world we never see portrayed, the world of the women who cared for and loved the Japanese pilots as they set off to sacrifice themselves in war. A stunning and consuming read that I found to be truly eye-opening and thought provoking without sacrificing the beauty of a very personal and very human story.

Historical fiction for young adults about Japan during World War 2. Hana is a school girl whose education has been interrupted by war. She and her friends are conscripted to serve as assistants to young soldiers & pilots, doing their laundry, mending their clothes, and cooking & serving their food. Tora is a young pilot destined for a suicide mission. He and Hana share a love of music and a (very chaste) romance/friendship begins.

This is a heartbreaking & gutwrenching look at Japan during the war. Told from the Japanese perspective, this is a different look for most Americans. The characters are sweet and show a wide range of emotions. The plot has so many ups and downs, I found myself in tears several times. Although the narrative drags sometimes and there are a few moments of seemingly random details and musings, this is a wonderful story and certainly belongs in every middle & high school library. Since the story centers around the deaths of many of the soldiers who come through the air base where Hana and her friends are working, this could be a bit intense for younger readers. The descriptions are never graphic and although there is some reference to "comfort women", these passages are more innuendo than graphic detail.

If I was to sum this up in one word, that word would have to be the word stunning. A gloriously atmospheric, melancholic dive into a world we never see portrayed, the world of the women who cared for and loved the Japanese pilots as they set off to sacrifice themselves in war. This is the story of a pilot and a young high school student, their lives disrupted by a war not of their making, and their gradual realisation that small kindnesses have a lasting effect. That their short lives are to be sacrificed for a cause is one thing, but the depravations of war are another, food is short, suspicions run rife in the towns and even though there are small pleasures to be found in simple things, it is difficult.

Hana our heroine is a lovely sensitive young woman, dutiful and dedicated. Juro our hero is a gifted musician and his violin plays a pivotal role in this story. These two characters come from very different lives but they meet due to the war and through tragedy blooms something beautiful.

I've always loved books set in Japan. This is due to the fact that I've lived there twice in my life when I was young and loved it. I was totally engrossed in this novel and shed a tear in the end. I love the fact that it is different to anything else out there for young adults at the moment. I've ordered copies for our library because I'm sure there is an audience for those who want to read something different, something based on real historical events.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to this glorious book.

“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” -Pablo Casals
The Blossom and the Firefly is a poignant story about two young lives that are swept up in the turmoil of WWII in Japan. Sherri L. Smith creates such a beautiful tale, both elegantly written and executed, it will no doubt become a timeless classic for any age.

I was swept away by Sherri L. Smith. The Blossom and the Firefly gives a voice to two young adults on the other side of the ocean during the lead-up and throughout WWII in Japan. I am familiar with literature written about Europe during this same time frame, but reading about the lives of the children and wives that were left behind to help support the soldiers of the Emperor’s war effort was truly eye-opening.

Hana and Taro’s life begin much like others in Japan before start the start of WWII. Like many other nations, Japan also suffered from their own Great Depression, which in turn led their leader, the Emperor, to start campaigns to regain the honor and glory of Japan. Taro and Hana have mirrored journeys. When one path in life must be abandoned for duty to their nation, and honor to their families, both Taro and Hana are warned that attachments in the War are often fruitless, and must not formed. Watching how they grapple with wanting to listen to the music that lives in their hearts, or to set it aside for duty to country is heart-wrenching.

The beautiful way The Blossom and the Firefly is crafted by Sherri L. Smith effortlessly mimics the rise and fall of a poem set to music. With how integral music is woven into the story, it creates a symmetry that highlighted the plot so effortlessly.

Sherri L. Smith has herself one more dedicated reader to her fan base. After reading The Blossom and the Firefly, I will be reading every single book in her catalogue. Friends, Bees, and Bookworms: do not let this book get away from you! It is out for release on February 18th, and should be a must-read for readers of every age.

An interesting and different perspective on World War II. Told from the Japanese point of view, two teenagers deal with the disruption in their lives. Smith has done a large amount of research to come up with the story. Hana, a school girl, is pulled out of school to go work on a sweet potato farm, where she survives a bomb attack. She moves from there to become a maid at a military base serving the pilots being trained to become body crashers or kamikaze pilots. Taro is a talented violinist, but his father believes Taro needs to join the military and train to be a body-crash pilot. They find each other at the military base. Both are reluctant to open up to each other as they both believe they are meant to die. We rarely hear about how the lives of the Japanese were impacted by the war, and this is a compelling read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the advance Kindle copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this 2.18.20 release. It is a devastatingly beautiful, sad, and lyrical story of love found during war. Tato has given his life as a tokku- Samurai pilot. His last stop before he “body crashes” is where he comes across Hana, schoolgirl whose class helps care for the pilots during their last days. Music unites them, and as his days grow numbered, the two find a connection they never expected. The story starts slow, but it is worth sticking with in the end. I would recommend it for grades 7+, particularly for diehard historical fiction fans, as it shows a different side of WWII in Japan.

It's one of those books you don't want to keep reading because you're afraid for the characters.
I've read dozens of WWII novels set in Europe and Sibera; it's great to see a well-written book set in Japan.

The war is almost over for Japan, but in 1945 young pilots were still expected to sacrifice their lives by flying planes with bombs into American ships. To send off the young men with honor, teenage girls were called on the make their departure a celebration of their sacrifice, knowing full well that there would be no return for them. This touching novel follows the individual stories of Hana and Taro and their commitment to give their all for the sake of Japan's victory. When their lives intersect, Hana hears Taro playing his violin prior to his ultimate flight, and the two of them recognize kindred spirits in their appreciation of music. The ultimate power of honor and sacrifice in Japanese culture is made very real, if unimaginable, for Western readers.. The resolution of the story is perhaps not believable, but very satisfying. The authors notes and bibliography at the end of the book will lead interested readers to more of the background.