On the Horizon by Kenard Pak, Lois Lowry
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 0358129400
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
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Be it poetry, historic fiction, or a biography this book is a major contribution to juvenile literature.   Lowry spent part of her childhood in Hawaii and Japan; personal knowledge is added to excellent research in this powerful and moving book.   On the Horizon is enhanced by the inclusion of actual sailors who served on the Arizona at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Told in poetic form this book takes on a personal and dynamic approach to the horror of war.  Admitting that the first chapter (Pearl Harbor) is hard to read it does not hold a candle to the emotional response to the second (bombing of Hiroshima).  Certainly, the text delivers a painful portrayal of the effects of that bomb but it is buffered by compassionate images.  The final section of this short book deals with the aftermath in Japan.

A lovely treatment of war and loss that will be well received by most middle grade students and adults of all ages.  The content may be overwhelming for some young readers but the honest and open approach is appreciated.   Kleenex should be close at hand.  Recommended for parent-child book groups.  Place in middle school media centers and all public libraries.  This retired librarian loved the reveal that Lois Lowry and Allen Say had seen each other as children in Tokyo.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME