Attacked!: Pearl Harbor and the Day War Came to America

by Marc Favreau

The true story of Pearl Harbor as you’ve never read it before—action-packed, informative, and told through the eyes of a diverse group of people who experienced the terror of the unprecedented attack firsthand.

A single day changed the course of December 7, 1941. Nobody in America knew Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was coming. Nobody was prepared for the aftermath. It became a defining moment from which the country never truly recovered.

Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Heiligman, this unflinching narrative puts readers on the ground in Pearl Harbor through the stories of real people who experienced the attack and its aftereffects. It alternates between the sweeping views and fateful decisions of leaders such as FDR and on-the-ground accounts from soldiers and sailors of all backgrounds as well as an array of other unique participants and observers.  Attacked!  sheds new, compelling light onto a history we think we know, what it means to be American, and the enduring lessons from an event we never saw coming.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Middle Grade, American History, Historical

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[SaraKat]

A wonderful take on Pearl Harbor for middle grade readers. It puts forth everything that led up to the attack and the aftermath in simple, exciting, easy-to-understand chapters. The author doesn't pull punches and the grisly effects on civilians and sailors is mentioned, but readers should expect that as it was a very bloody attack. I like how the book includes points-of-view from Japanese soldiers and civilians around the island as well as the men on the ships. I learned a lot that I didn't know and would recommend this to people of any age who want to know about Pearl Harbor.

[Anne]

Favreau looks at the day that will live in infamy with this book. He tackles it from several angles - from a Japanese spy, sub driver, and fighter pilot, to a number of different people living in or near the Pearl Harbor Naval Base on Oahu from a newly arrived nurse (1 of just 6!), to a daughter of a naval captain, to a young boy whose farm was right next to the base, to a Black serviceman who was relegated to serving in the mess hall because of segregation laws, to a 15 year old boy who lied about his age in order to sign up, etc. I don't know that there was anything *new* in the information in this book but it was an engaging read for those looking for books about this topic. CW: blood, violence, racism/prejudice

[Ellie]

It seemed to soften what the Japanese did to Pearl Harbor. Not one mention of the Kamikaze pilots and what they did, which I thought was strange. I also didn't really understand why the author added the Doolittle raid at the end, almost like an afterthought. Also promotes CRT. Yes, I'm aware people are racist, thank you very much.

[Ron Baumer]

A quick easy to understand and follow summary of the attack on Pearl harbor. The firsthand accounts by participants in the battle add to the realism of the story. A well told account. A good read. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jacob]

if you like world war 2 books you will like this book.good book i could not put it down.i will buy this book if this come out.

[Maria MINORI]

Great book. Totally interesting and informative. I enjoyed it.

[Katie Lawrence]

Paused on page 82 because I gave my copy to a teen haha. Hopefully will get back to it, I'm enjoying it so far!

[Lea Ann]

Exactly as advertised.

[StarszBooks]

4.5⭐️ A surprisingly fantastic read! I learned so much! I love how it was told in narrative format. This one will stick with me for a while.