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bpad87 's review for:
I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011
by Lauren Tarshis
Realistic Adventure
Grades 2-4.
This book takes place in the town of Shogahama, Japan. The story follows a boy named Ben, who is from California as he is visiting his uncle in Japan along with his younger brother Harry and his mother. Ben had recently lost his father, an Air Force pilot, in a car crash. On the morning of the earthquake we learn that Ben has had a hard time dealing with the death of his father as he wakes up from having a dream about him. At around 2:40PM an earthquake hit which lasted about five minutes. Ben helps his brother and remembers that his father had told him that he had to remember to breathe in order to remain calm. The earthquake caused great damage to their uncles house but that was the least of their problems. Out in the distance they see the tsunami wave forming and they all scurry to the car to try to get away. As the tsunami hits it quickly catches up to Ben and his family who are still in the car. Everyone except him manage get out of the car as he is separated from his family. Still trapped in the car Ben remembers more of his father’s advice about his training under water and remaining calm. This helps him escape from the car as he sees the water has already begun to recede. As Ben makes his way back inland he sees the wreckage left behind by the great tsunami. He then ends up exhausted at an elementary school where he is given water and food by other survivors. While waiting for news of more survivors in the area he is left in charge of taking care of a few younger children who still have not had work of their parents. His brother, mother and uncle find him and they are in one peace. This book has many strengths. The first is Ben’s character development. We get to know how he is feeling about the death of his father and how he tries to be strong in front of his brother. He shows bravery as he remembers to remain calm and think of ways to survive each obstacle he is faced with. During his time alone he realizes the importance of the people that were there for him during hard times, such as when his father passed away. Another strength this book has is the use of some Japanese words such as ojisan (uncle), dishin (earthquake), and arigatou (thank you). Although not part of Ben’s story line, we get a lot of information about the devastation brought on by the damage of the nuclear power plant. At the end of the story the author has included scientific facts on how a tsunami forms and the devastating statistics caused by this earthquake and tsunami. I would recommend this title as complimentary reading when teaching the target audience the science of earthquakes and tsunamis. The illustrations are all in black and white and are very few. These illustrations include scenes of the town before the wreckage, scenes showing Ben and his brother hiding under the bed, the tsunami wave as it rises out of the ocean, as Ben trapped in the car, and as he reunites with his family.
Grades 2-4.
This book takes place in the town of Shogahama, Japan. The story follows a boy named Ben, who is from California as he is visiting his uncle in Japan along with his younger brother Harry and his mother. Ben had recently lost his father, an Air Force pilot, in a car crash. On the morning of the earthquake we learn that Ben has had a hard time dealing with the death of his father as he wakes up from having a dream about him. At around 2:40PM an earthquake hit which lasted about five minutes. Ben helps his brother and remembers that his father had told him that he had to remember to breathe in order to remain calm. The earthquake caused great damage to their uncles house but that was the least of their problems. Out in the distance they see the tsunami wave forming and they all scurry to the car to try to get away. As the tsunami hits it quickly catches up to Ben and his family who are still in the car. Everyone except him manage get out of the car as he is separated from his family. Still trapped in the car Ben remembers more of his father’s advice about his training under water and remaining calm. This helps him escape from the car as he sees the water has already begun to recede. As Ben makes his way back inland he sees the wreckage left behind by the great tsunami. He then ends up exhausted at an elementary school where he is given water and food by other survivors. While waiting for news of more survivors in the area he is left in charge of taking care of a few younger children who still have not had work of their parents. His brother, mother and uncle find him and they are in one peace. This book has many strengths. The first is Ben’s character development. We get to know how he is feeling about the death of his father and how he tries to be strong in front of his brother. He shows bravery as he remembers to remain calm and think of ways to survive each obstacle he is faced with. During his time alone he realizes the importance of the people that were there for him during hard times, such as when his father passed away. Another strength this book has is the use of some Japanese words such as ojisan (uncle), dishin (earthquake), and arigatou (thank you). Although not part of Ben’s story line, we get a lot of information about the devastation brought on by the damage of the nuclear power plant. At the end of the story the author has included scientific facts on how a tsunami forms and the devastating statistics caused by this earthquake and tsunami. I would recommend this title as complimentary reading when teaching the target audience the science of earthquakes and tsunamis. The illustrations are all in black and white and are very few. These illustrations include scenes of the town before the wreckage, scenes showing Ben and his brother hiding under the bed, the tsunami wave as it rises out of the ocean, as Ben trapped in the car, and as he reunites with his family.