Scan barcode
mamatoca's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
Simply and beautifully told.
toloveisdestroy's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful YA novel that highlights the tragedy of Nagasaki one page at a time.
daisey's review against another edition
4.0
Beginning in the summer of 1945, when Sachiko was six years old, this book follows her story through the bombing of Nagasaki and her life afterwards. The details of the day that the bomb was dropped on the city and the months immediately following were heartbreaking. They were described in a way that made the horror of the event incredibly clear, yet without graphic detail. As the story went on, it focused on efforts by the Japanese people and Sachiko, in particular, to work for future peace.
I highly recommend this book for young readers learning about or interested in World War II.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
I highly recommend this book for young readers learning about or interested in World War II.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
skinnygetout's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating biography that details the experience of the Yasui family as they first survive and then try to make sense of the Nagasaki bombing. The story follows the life of Sachiko Yasui from age 6 to her now elderly age. Sachiko had to grapple with a lot of sadness before she ever felt the courage to share her story. And with good reason.
The history of the Atomic bombing in Japan is largely glossed over in United States history books. However, the truth is more horrifying than is hinted at. The Nagasaki bombing destroyed the majority of the city, killing most of its inhabitants. While the bombing and loss of life itself is incredibly gruesome, the more appalling aspect of the bombing is the radiation sickness and the people that died terrible deaths as a result of various cancers, burns, and other illnesses.
All of this was heavily censored by the occupying American government. What Sachiko's story does is illuminate the long lasting horror of war, the physical and the psychological baggage that weigh down hapless victims of history's most disgusting gambit.
A great choice for readers who are interested in war, history, and activism.
The history of the Atomic bombing in Japan is largely glossed over in United States history books. However, the truth is more horrifying than is hinted at. The Nagasaki bombing destroyed the majority of the city, killing most of its inhabitants. While the bombing and loss of life itself is incredibly gruesome, the more appalling aspect of the bombing is the radiation sickness and the people that died terrible deaths as a result of various cancers, burns, and other illnesses.
All of this was heavily censored by the occupying American government. What Sachiko's story does is illuminate the long lasting horror of war, the physical and the psychological baggage that weigh down hapless victims of history's most disgusting gambit.
A great choice for readers who are interested in war, history, and activism.
njmenzel's review against another edition
3.0
Such an important story to tell and a timely message for the state of the world today. The story seemed to be lacking detail and felt rushed... it was very basic. It seems like much of the research the author did didn't make it to the book. I wish there would have been more substance to truly tell Sachiko's heartbreaking, yet hopeful, story.
readinginthe_pnw's review against another edition
5.0
It is scary how good this book is. Biographies are often hard for me to get through, because I don't want to read a list of facts about someone else's life. This book, though, was absolutely amazing, weaving through Sachiko's life with stories, photographs, and background information about the bombing/event.
librariann's review against another edition
4.0
I stood in a signing line at ALA and read almost the whole thing by the time I got to the front. Heartbreaking. Suggested read for anyone interested in World War II and the effects of the atomic bomb.
baronessekat's review against another edition
5.0
A gripping and engrossing biography of a woman who, at the age of 6, survived the bombing of Nagasaki and then had to deal with the horrific medical, mental, financial, environmental and cultural fallout from the experience.
This is a short book but well worth the 3+ hours to listen to it.
This is a short book but well worth the 3+ hours to listen to it.
mellymel35's review against another edition
5.0
This is really good and includes a lot of history told from a point of view many Americans haven't heard yet, myself included. Definitely worth reading!
christinajleaf's review against another edition
5.0
A very sad, but worthwhile book. It follows a woman who was 6 in Nagasaki when the bomb was dropped, and also offers a lot of extra historical information about World War II and beyond.
It is humbling and powerful and heartbreaking to follow a survivor through her life and how the effects of the bomb linger in her body and mind. We need to be reminded of this and keep being reminded of this so that it does not happen again.
It is humbling and powerful and heartbreaking to follow a survivor through her life and how the effects of the bomb linger in her body and mind. We need to be reminded of this and keep being reminded of this so that it does not happen again.