'A powerful and moving story about one boy caught up in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
'When the tsunami strikes the Japanese seaside town of Omori-wan, the effects are utterly devastating. Three years later, much of what happened on that day is still a mystery. As Hotaka sets about convincing local performers to appear at the town's upcoming Memorial Concert, he finds himself increasingly haunted by memories of best friend, Takeshi, who perished without trace in the tsunami. Then his friend Sakura becomes involved in an anti-seawall movement, and all too quickly the protest gets serious. As the town and its people struggle to rebuild their lives, can Hotaka piece together what happened that day - and let go of the past? ' (Publication summary)
'I’ve been thinking lately about what a good review can offer readers, especially teachers who have so many demands on their time and limited opportunity to read the huge range of new texts available for their students in the classroom. Reviews can give a pointer to teachers about some texts that merit their attention. Obviously, an opinion is called for – what is the appeal of this text and to whom may it appeal? I won’t waste your time on texts if I don’t think they will engage some of your students in the classroom. I can’t recommend texts which haven’t engaged me too, at some level. A brief idea of what happens, the style of writing or designing and the impact of the text written or created and perhaps some ideas on how it might be used in the classroom. With a much greater focus in classrooms today on student choice and voice about what they read and view it’s important to have a range of texts to capture their interests and enthusiasm. Not all these texts will work with all students, but there will be readers, and reluctant and disengaged ones as well, who will find something here that speaks to them.' (Introduction)
'I’ve been thinking lately about what a good review can offer readers, especially teachers who have so many demands on their time and limited opportunity to read the huge range of new texts available for their students in the classroom. Reviews can give a pointer to teachers about some texts that merit their attention. Obviously, an opinion is called for – what is the appeal of this text and to whom may it appeal? I won’t waste your time on texts if I don’t think they will engage some of your students in the classroom. I can’t recommend texts which haven’t engaged me too, at some level. A brief idea of what happens, the style of writing or designing and the impact of the text written or created and perhaps some ideas on how it might be used in the classroom. With a much greater focus in classrooms today on student choice and voice about what they read and view it’s important to have a range of texts to capture their interests and enthusiasm. Not all these texts will work with all students, but there will be readers, and reluctant and disengaged ones as well, who will find something here that speaks to them.' (Introduction)
