A poignant and beautifully written book that explores the devastating impact of World War II through the lens of two pivotal events: the bombings of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. This book captures the human experiences of loss, resilience, and hope, making it a compelling read for students interested in historical fiction and poetry.

Perfect for poetry month, this short but powerful book is an autobiographical tale of Lowry’s youngest years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii right before the bombing. Intense, yet sensitive prose describing both the US and Japanese points of view

I love a good Lois Lowry book and especially WWII historical fiction - this checked both boxes! I'm not always a fan of novels in verse but I thought that this was still easy to follow and made it a quicker read than if it had been a full novel. I'm excited for my students to get to experience this story!

Lois Lowry never disappoints and this more personal story is no exception. This would make a great selection for a student school project.

Written as a novel in verse the book goes back and forth between view points of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the atomic bombs being dropped in Japan and the aftermath of both. For such a quick read one could dwell on each poem in the book. I thought it was interesting how she tied in her life with real lives of others who lived during and through this time. How each of our histories overlaps and who knows where it will happen. This would be an interesting book to tie into the social studies curriculum even at a middle school or high school level.
Great read.

Maybe I don't give fifth through seventh graders enough credit but I can't see most of them liking this book, and they are the age it is aimed at, according to Amazon. The reading level is right, for the most part, but I don't see the interest being there.

The book starts in Hawaii with a young Lois Lowry at the beach with her nanny, and seeing the Arizona in the distance. It then gives some personal details about the men who lost their lives that day, and some who survived. It has photos of some artifacts like a survivor's watch.

It then moves to Japan, to Hiroshima as the bomb was dropped. Again, it profiles the ordinary people like a four year old boy who died on his red tricycle.

The prose in haunting, almost poetic at times, but I personally don't see it holding kids' interest.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available. Grade B.

Everyone should read this book by Lois Lowry! This was such an incredible story written with the author's personal experiences as part of her fictional poetic narrative. It won't take much time, but the words are so moving. The big events of Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima are front and center, giving so much to younger (and older) readers to learn and think about.

Lois Lowry has written a masterful book that weaves her childhood memory of playing on the beach of Waikiki with the horror of the bombings of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. The stories of survivors and victims are shared using free verse, haiku, triolet and bits of prose that all convey the great depths of emotion surrounding both loss and eventual healing. Lowry’s book fits perfectly in the hands of my 4th and 5th grade library patrons, but adults would also do well to read this one.

What a beautiful selection of poetry!
Excellent. Great titles, great imagery.
Thank you for the early copy!

I loved all of the ties in this collection. It was interesting to hear from the authors perspective but also find out some interesting facts about Pearl Harbor and Japan during World War II.

What an awesome book! I really love when authors write historical fiction in verse. It's so powerful, and it doesn't overwhelm the kids as they are reading. This would be a great book for teachers to use to teach history and poetry. It will also get you in the feels. Wonderful book! I will be recommending it to all of my library patrons...not just the kids.

This is one of the most beautiful books that I have ever read. I love the beauty and imagery of the poetry. My favorite part is the end when you discover the connection between Lois Lowry and Allen Say.

What an amazing book of poetry. From the entry of the US into World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, to the atomic bomb dropping on Hiroshima Lois Lowry gives us insight into the lives that we lost, and the lives that were forever changed. Her personal connection to being a child living in Hawaii on that day that lives in infamy to years spent living on an army base in Tokyo years later. She challenges us to look at history so that we can change the future. TEACHER USE: This is a must read for any World War II unit. Use it as a literature study, a read aloud, or writing prompt.

I was unconvinced by this book at first, as Lowry described the events of December 7, 1941 and humanized its victims. But as the parallels were drawn between Pearl Harbor and the atomic bombs in Hiroshima, the book won me over. I do think young readers will be very touched by the descriptions of these historical events, which present the death and violence in ways that remain kid-friendly while acknowledging their weight. As an adult reader, I'm less convinced by Lowry's role in the story-- I found her experiences in Japan interesting but her life in Hawaii less relevant. Still, I think the book effectively tells the story of two pivotal events in World War II that have had long-lasting repercussions on history.

Wow what a read! As always Lowry hits a home run, but this one really packs a punch. Coincidences abound and real life really is stranger than fiction! Truly an amazing story and, of course, Lowry's writing does it such justice.

This is a tale for upper elementary students who want to dive into a more historical read. I love the culture and detailed memories from a child’s viewpoint through these important and historical events. These collections of stories will leave you wanting to know more!

Lois Lowry shares the imagery, pain, loss, and hope of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, in this new novel in verse.

This is an incredible memoir that is definitely not just for kids. Addressing the losses of both Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, Japan, Lowry humanizes both sides of these tragic wartime events, from her unique viewpoint as a child who spent formative years in both Hawaii and Japan, Lowry tells one story after another of the people who lived and died in these events. I look forward to seeing final artwork and a printed copy. This book would be perfect for upper elementary Social Studies classes all the way through veterans of this war, and especially their children.

I just didn't love this book like everyone else. It felt like too disjointed with the biographies of different soldiers and her own story. It didn't resonate at all and I didn't care for the writing.

I like how Lowry weaves together her experiences in Japan and Hawaii with research to tell the stories of these two places through poetry. There were some descriptions that were hard to read and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with putting into the hands of younger readers. There are some interesting connections and discoveries made over the course of her life.