Remember Pearl Harbor: Japanese And American Survivors Tell Their Stories [Hardcover]

Thomas B. Allen (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Remember

Compelling narrative laced with first-person accounts from both American and Japanese survivors combines with dramatic archival images and a brief overview to paint a vivid portrait of what it was like to have witnessed, participated in, and lived through the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that infamous morning of December 7, 1941. Historical photos set the scene. This landmark volume will provide young readers with valuable insights into both the Japanese and American points of view and demonstrate why people on both sides feel the need to remember Pearl Harbor.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4 Up-In this effective narrative built from first-person oral histories, striking photographs are combined with excellent maps, resulting in a sophisticated design. The arresting visuals are the foil for powerful tales of warfare, destruction, and patriotism. A noteworthy foreword is followed by accounts of American sailors such as Clark Simmons, who was awakened on December 7, 1941, by explosions outside his battleship, and others, including that of Haruo Yoshino, who was among the Japanese pilots dropping the torpedoes. Both sides of this dramatic story are humanized and fairly presented in a sound, historical context. Interesting postscripts follow up on several of the individuals highlighted, and a unique time line integrates a minute-by-minute account of the attack with a more general one of the Pacific and European conflicts. This compelling title will be of interest to general readers and is an ideal resource for units on World War II.

Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-9. Eyewittness testimony of Japanese and American men and women from various backgrounds enriches this balanced treatment of World War II that joins an ever-expanding assortment of books on the subject. The first-person perspectives allow for a more complex view of events as well as individuals involved in a conflict that swept people up--and nearly swept them away. Allen begins his account in Kyushu, Japan, where pilots and submarine crews train for the attack. Subsequent chapters move to Hawaii where survivors describe the bombing from the cockpit, the deck, and the shore, giving readers an emotionally charged view of the devastation. A final chapter on the aftermath of Pearl Harbor briefly notes the unjust internment of Japanese Americans and introduces readers to the USS Arizona memorial, seeing it through the eyes of one of the Japanese sailors. The first-person voices along with dozens of black-and-white photos and several full-color maps make this a draw for both browsers and World War II buffs. A time line and a bibliography are appended. Randy Meyer
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792266900
• ISBN-13: 978-0792266907
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.5 x 10.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #723,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been writing since my teen years, when I covered high school sports for my hometown newspaper, The Herald, in Bridgeport, Conn.
I continued working at the paper while I was in college. In the mid-1950s I began working for The New York Daily News, writing feature stories. In 1963, I left The News, going to Chilton Books in Philadelphia, and then to the National Geographic Book Division. I began freelancing in 1981, but I continued contributing to Geographic publications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Basic Book About the Pearl Harbor Attack, March 12, 2003

By 

Jeffrey T. Munson (Dixon, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remember Pearl Harbor: Japanese And American Survivors Tell Their Stories (Hardcover)

This book has limited information about the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but the information it does have is good. Testimonials are included from both American and Japanese survivors of the attack. Of particular interest to me was the story of Kichiji Dewa, a crew member of the submarine I-16. He describes the launching of a midget submarine that they were carrying on their deck. Pilot Haruo Yoshino's story of his torpedo attack on the USS Oklahoma is informative as well. Also mentioned in the book is Kazuo Sakamaki, a crew member of one of the midget submarines that tried to enter Pearl Harbor. Sakamaki's submarine was damaged and lost its way. After spending many hours trying to enter the harbor, Sakamaki and his other crew member were forced to abandon their submarine. The crewman died, but Sakamaki made it to shore where he was captured by an American soldier. Sakamaki became the first Japanese prisoner of World War II.

This book is very short, but it does contain some good information, and the pictures and maps are very good. This is a good introductory book about Pearl Harbor, but I would recommend something larger for a more complete analysis of the attack.

5.0 out of 5 stars The way it REALLY was, January 9, 2011

By 

charles grinker "proud father" (juno beach, florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Remember Pearl Harbor: Japanese And American Survivors Tell Their Stories (Hardcover)

Pearl Harbor - Young Americans and young Japanese who took part in the battle remembering The Way it REALLY Was. An extraordinary book which we are pleased to have for ourselves and also to have given as a Christmas present to a our 91 year-old father-in-law who took part in the Day That Will Live in Infamy.