One of my most anticipated books of 2020, On The Horizon did not disappoint. Beautiful, poignant, and with the mission to bring humanity to war, Lowry will move you to tears.

For mature young readers, this WW2 historical account covers both the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the atomic bomb at Hiroshima.

Find the complete review on our April 2020 New Releases-Book Buzzed article here: https://theuncorkedlibrarian.com/april-2020-book-releases/.

What another amazing book by Lowry! "Number the Stars" and "The Giver' are always favorites of mine and my students. Her latest will prove no different.
Her account of Pearl Harbor, from someone who was actually there, will resonate with mature young readers. The portrayal of loss, so devastating to that age group, is so sensitively written. She captures the ordinary people that youngsters can relate to and brings the event to life. Her account of the Arizona, with its looming presence in the background, until that fateful day, adds to what occurred.
Her use of verse further enhances the story and the enormity of both events, Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, will open their to further learning.

This is a very quick read with beautiful imagery and historical interest blended with the author's personal experiences. As someone who is very familiar with the Children's Lit world I got excited when Lowry mentioned a boy in Japan who would grow up to change his name to Allen because I thought "I bet that's Allen Say." In the author's note she revealed it was! But you don't need to know that to enjoy the story. I was puzzled that some of the book was in rhyme and some wasn't, but I'm glad she didn't force it through the entire book. Really enjoyed this one.

I was given a free copy of this by @netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was an amazing piece that was a mixture of the author's personal memories and poems about those that were lost in both the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima. It was a powerful presentation showing the faces of those who lost their lives in both of these horrific events. There was a lot of information I had never heard before, I would definitely recommend it when it is released on 7 April!
#NetGalley #OnTheHorizon

Thank you to Netgalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for an ARC of On the Horizon in exchange for an honest review. I was thrilled to see my request for this book in my inbox. As a young teacher starting out long ago, Number the Stars and The Giver made an impact on me. I think this book will do that for others as well. The beauty brought forth through first hand accounts of two major traumatic WWII events, Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima is written masterfully. Lowry, as a child, was in Hawaii and later moved to Japan. Her memories of first hand accounts, personalize this story. She has also done impeccable research. I can't image this book being written in any other style than novel in verse- a perfect choice. The theme of going forth in our humanity through building empathy for one another is striking. Even though the hurt, tragedy and heartbreak of these memorable events are described in few poignant words, this is a powerful uplifting book. I anticipate On the Horizon will join her other long lasting titles on the shelves of many home and school libraries. This could be a Newbury trifecta.

Lowry, people.

An absolutely poignant novel in verse (an exemplar for sure) that includes multiple illustrations (I'm reading a galley copy from Netgalley) incorporated into a story of herself as a child, a Japanese boy, and a third story woven in to connect it all that she shares about in her author's note. It's emotional and informative, sentimental and reverent. She has video of her playing on the beach in Hawaii and in the background, the USS Arizona. Then she meets a boy who was in a town riding a bike as the bomb was being dropped on Hiroshima-- they meet as adults. And then when Lowry brings her grandson to the Pearl Harbor memorial, a note from a grandson having never met his grandfather who died at Pearl Harbor.

The verse is sparing and heartfelt, introducing real people and real events which is why it's a strong nonfiction verse for a middle grade audience and up. (A quick read for older teens) but it's the years that Lowry has lived that lends itself to a reverential book like this. Stories like this won't age. And I'm here for more memoirs and biographies of the authors we love.

Wow. Is there anything she can’t write? This was interesting, informative, and a lovely tribute. Writing this difficult subject in verse makes it approachable and incredibly unique. I slowly savored each section and ruminated over each one. This will be a fantastic tool for teachers as they teach this subject, or for a poetry unit. I absolutely loved this and found it fascinating. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Another beautiful book by Lois Lowry!
'On the Horizon' is a look at the tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, told through the personal lens of Lois Lowry. Through her beautiful verse she puts names and faces to a few of the victims of both of these terrible events. Lowry has such an ability to evoke emotions with simple rhythms and phrases. This is a beautiful book and I can't wait to get a finished copy to see the illustrations. Heartfelt and lovely, Lowry is an excellent author of all times.

Another classic from Lois Lowry This is a personal account of a young person in Hawaii during the Pearl Harbor attack

On the Horizon is a look at the tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima, told through the personal lens of Lois Lowry who was born in Hawaii and lived in Japan as a child. Through verse she puts names and faces to a few of the victims of both terrible events. I am awed by Lowry's ability to evoke such a emotion with simple rhythms and phrases. The poetry is beautiful and I can't wait to get a finished copy to see the illustrations.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read a digital advance copy of this book. This book is a profound look at World War II and a few of the lives lost during Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Lois Lowry had the unique experience of growing up in Hawaii and also living in Japan during her childhood.

On the Horizon is a slight novel told in verse. What at first feels like a work of over-simplified nonfiction, evolves beautifully into a memorial and a testament to a shared history between two countries. Lowry's afterward is key to completing the work, and it will reach audience of all ages for a multitude of different reasons.

The book was a wonderful example of finding a story through small memories. Should we need such a title to support our writers' workshop program I will purchase it. For now, our library is saturated with WWII narratives, worthy one though it is. I will include it on lists of recommended books.

The latest offering from two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry is a poignant, personal reflection on the twin tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Written in verse, Lowry begins with her own experience of growing up in Honolulu, with the doomed USS Arizona on the horizon of her childhood memories. She then transitions to the events and lives lost at Pearl Harbor, using short, powerful vignettes to introduce readers to both victims and survivors. Lowry’s meticulously researched poetry allows young readers to connect with and understand the tragedy at a deeply personal level. Years later, Lowry’s family moves to Japan and she uses the same format to describe the bombing of Hiroshima. Lowry’s childhood experiences are intertwined with portraits of the young bombing victims, highlighting the interconnectedness of the human experience. Kenard Pak’s simple yet impactful illustrations elevate this message. On the Horizon offers a unique look at history through the personal lens of one of America’s most prolific children’s writers. It’s haunting imagery and evocative poems make it a must-have for children’s bookshelves.

Read alike suggestions include: The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, and Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story by Caren Stelson.

When I was 9 years old I checked out a book at my school library that would spur a lifelong love of reading and a lifelong devotion to reading about WWII. That book was Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. When I saw that she wrote a new children's book about WWII I was on board immediately. The beginning and end of the book talk about Lowry's own experiences during that time as a child in Hawaii and Japan, and the essays in between are about many of the different men who lost their lives in these battles. I love that Lowry wrote this book for children in a way that they could learn about the war without trying to sugar coat what happened, but without being overly gory. I learned new things as an adult too. I recommend this book to anyone, adult or child alike.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was very interesting to read because I did not know what to expect from Lowry since she has not written a book in a while. I had no idea that this was going to be told through her personal lens of growing up in Hawaii and Japan. I also loved the short format instead of being a long book especially since it is a childrens book. Her book definitely painted the picture for me as I am sure it will to children. Definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for allowing me access to a digital advance review copy of On the Horizon by Lois Lowry.

On the Horizon tells the story of those who lost their lives and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It is based on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbor and the civilians of Hiroshima and offers a unique look on history as Lowry looks at through a personal lens. The novel is written in verse and contemplates humanity, war, pain, truth, and cultural divides.

I found On the Horizon to be incredibly powerful and beautifully written. I was instantly captivated by the novel's verse structure. Lowry expertly weaves together stories of multiple individuals, including her own, and builds a bridge between two devastating events in order to deliver a message about humanity. On the Horizon includes stories that are heartbreaking, uplifting, and haunting. It includes themes of heroism and hope. I also really enjoyed the illustrations that were included throughout the novel and felt they added to overall aesthetic of the book and enhanced the emotions evoked by the poems. Many middle grade readers are interested in WWII, and I believe that this book will instantly capture their attention and offer them a new perspective.

A moving journey from one of my favorite authors. I only wished there was more poetry to this collection and perspectives from her family members as well.

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to read this poignant look back at Lois Lowry’s childhood. Born in Hawaii, she was a 3-year-old living in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed it. Through research, she puts a human face to some of the men who served on the USS Arizona. After the war ends, her father, stationed in Japan, is able to have his family join him. We get snapshots of other young people living in or near Hiroshima as well. Told in verse, this unique experience in her life is capped with an author’s note reflecting on her proximity to these events and her unexpected meeting with a man (Allen Say) who had lived in the adjacent community to hers in Japan when they both received the top awards from ALA in 1994. A book from Lois Lowry is a gift.

On the Horizon is Lois Lowry's autographical novel in verse about the attack on Pearl Harbor and bombing of Hiroshima. The emotional prose is told in three parts - On the Horizon, Another Horizon, and Beyond the Horizon, This is a short, but powerful read. Lowry does an excellent job showing what was like for all involved during this difficult time. Don't miss the author's note. Lois Lowry reflects on her experiences during these historical events. I can't wait to recommend this title to others.

Thank you to Lois Lowry, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.