Book Review: Hiroshima by Laurence Yep

Bibliography: 
Yep, Laurence. (1995). Hiroshima. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0590208322.

Plot Summary: 
Yep takes the reader inside Hiroshima before, during, and after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city by the United States in attempt to end World War II. A survivor, young girl Sachi, is highlighted along with the one group of "Hiroshima Maidens" who came to the U.S. to receive medical treatments. Hiroshima created hospitals for the survivors to go to as well. Today you may visit a park in Hiroshima to pay your respects. This book tells the reader about the aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.


Critical Analysis: 
This historical fiction novel gives many interesting perspectives from people involved in the bombing of Hiroshima. It is most appropriate for grades 3rd and above. The book is a quick read, only 55 pages long. Yep includes sources and background of characters and facts included in the novel.

The setting is described in detail, down to the melted bottles after the bomb is dropped. The story flows well and includes important information regarding the bombing. Characters in the story are typical of the time period and the event. An interesting aspect of this novel is that Sachi, the main character, is a composite of several children who survived and later came to the United States. Students will be able to identify with the characters, especially Sachi.  Yep does an excellent job of showing the devastation and aftermath of the bombing in Hiroshima to young students.


Awards & Reviews:
No awards were given for this particular novel.
"This powerful chronicle ensures that what was done on that awful day will remain in readers' memories for a very long time." -Publisher's Weekly (http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-590-20832-1)


Connections:
Humanities Connection: Make paper cranes to send to the Hiroshima monument in Japan.
Geography Connection: Before and after reading Hiroshima, study the geographic location of Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Author Study - Laurence Yep: Highlight Yep and other works by him including Dragon Child, The Earth Dragon Awakes, and others.
Topic Study - Hiroshima: Find non-fiction books about Hiroshima along with other historical fiction novels about Hiroshima or the atomic bomb (The Green Glass Sea for example) to read as part of a themed unit.
Poetry Connection: Write a poem about peace and the bombing/recovery of Hiroshima.