The Battle of Iwo Jima: Guerilla Warfare in the Pacific (Graphic Battles of World War II) [Library Binding]

Larry Hama (Author), Anthony Williams (Illustrator)

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*Starred Review* It's often hard to interest students in long-ago events, but using a graphic novel to introduce the battle for Iwo Jima makes it very accessible. Before the graphic-novel section of the book begins, Hama provides a short, informative background piece describing the run-up to World War II, the significance of the Japanese war machine, and the importance of the tiny island of Iwo Jima. Then the graphic novel, illustrated by Williams in camouflage colors, does a terrific job of examining the ups and downs of the battle as well as the horror of so many losses--on both sides. That is one of the book's real strengths. Hama makes readers see the Japanese as real people and not just as the enemy. For instance, he introduces three young botany students who somehow arrived on Iwo Jima as the battle was beginning; and some readers may be surprised by the fact that the Japanese generals had spent time in the United States. This captivating book in the Graphic Battles of World War II series will encourage kids to read more. A glossary, short bibliography, and contact information for two relevant museums are appended. REVWR
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Rosen Publishing Group (January 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1404207813
• ISBN-13: 978-1404207813
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,701,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good way to learn an important bit of history, November 21, 2010

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Battle of Iwo Jima: Guerilla Warfare in the Pacific (Graphic Battles of World War II) (Paperback)

When I was young, there was a line of comics that presented famous stories from literature. To many, the idea of taking a classic work of literature and putting it in a comic book was objectionable. I take a different view, in my opinion; any form that gets a young mind interested in great things is a worthy endeavor.
This book is a cartoon depiction of the battle for Iwo Jima in the Second World War. While necessarily brief in both setting the context and describing the battle, it contains no hype and is very factual. If it plants the seed of interest in history and what the level of heroism was in the Second World War then it has been a success. History is an oft-neglected area of study; this is one small step on the road to correcting that.