A young girl named Hanako is forced to relocate with her family to Japan after World War II. With the journey through Hiroshima to her father's childhood home, she discovers new family connections, her own personal values, and the horrors of atomic bombs.
AGE RANGE INTERMEDIATE
THEMES
Adventure
World War II
Atomic Bombs
Japanese
Family
OVERALL RATING 6/10
Though this book had a powerful message, I didn't find it very engaging. The majority of the book is very slow-moving, and you can't be sure where the plot is trying to go. There was also a lot of strange dialogue for the children in the book that did not feel realistic. That being said, I really did enjoy some parts of the book! It was lovely to read about Hanako bonding with her grandparents and learning about her culture.
PROS Detailed Some warm & fuzzy parts that are wonderful to read | Violence and Scariness 4/5 Men beaten with baseball bats. Results of atomic bombing; people with scars , missing body parts, faces burnt off, hands looking like claws. Sex and Romance 0/5 Not present |
CONS Children are unrealistic Not very engaging Unsatisfying ending | Emotional Intensity 3/5 Forced to leave home. Mean people. Characters see starving children. Children separated from parents. Drinking and Drugs 1/5 Mentions a man being drunk. Father works for black market and is paid in cigarettes. |
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