Under the Broken Sky

Under the Broken Sky follows 12-year-old Natsu and her younger sister during World War II as they struggle to survive after their father is drafted into the Japanese Imperial Army. The sisters must leave their home in Japanese-occupied Manchuria as the war intensifies. The novel, written in verse, chronicles their journey through harsh winter conditions and dangerous territory as they search for safety. Their path leads them through refugee camps and unfamiliar landscapes while they attempt to stay together and find enough food to survive. Through spare, direct language, this middle-grade historical novel explores themes of family bonds, resilience, and the impact of war on civilians. The story illuminates a lesser-known aspect of World War II history while examining universal experiences of displacement and loss.

Readers appreciate the verse novel format for making a complex historical event accessible to middle-grade audiences. Many note the book provides a child's perspective of Japanese civilian refugees in Manchuria during WWII - a viewpoint rarely covered in children's literature. Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of survival, hunger, and family bonds. Parents and teachers mention using it to teach about lesser-known WWII experiences. Some readers found the verse style created emotional distance rather than connection. A few noted the pacing felt uneven, particularly in the middle sections. Several reviews mention the book can be challenging for younger readers due to themes of death and wartime hardship. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (30+ ratings) School Library Journal: Starred review Kirkus Reviews: Starred review "Heartbreaking but hopeful" appears frequently in user reviews across platforms.

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🌟 The book is written in verse form, telling its powerful story through free-verse poetry rather than traditional prose narrative. 🌟 The historical events depicted in the story are based on the real experiences of Japanese civilians who fled Manchuria at the end of World War II, including approximately 1.7 million refugees. 🌟 Author Mariko Nagai was inspired to write this book after hearing stories from her father, who lived in Manchuria during the time period portrayed in the novel. 🌟 The main character's journey reflects the experiences of many Japanese families who were encouraged to settle in Manchuria during Japan's colonial expansion, only to become refugees when the Soviet Army invaded in 1945. 🌟 The book sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of World War II history, specifically the fate of Japanese civilians who were stranded in Manchuria after Japan's surrender.