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Never Silent: A Hiroshima Survivor's Story
To be published on what will be the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, survivor Setsuko Thurlow shares her memories of that horrific event and her resulting lifelong commitment to activism to ban nuclear arms.
When Setsuko Thurlow was thirteen, she witnessed one of history’s most horrific events. She experienced—and survived—the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to educate people about the catastrophe and to ensure that it never happens again. As a leading member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), she gave the acceptance speech when the organization won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
Never Silent recounts Setsuko’s earliest memories of her happy life in Hiroshima, followed by the devastating firsthand impact she witnesses after the dropping of the atomic bomb, and finally traces the steps she takes to rebuild a life in the aftermath of her experiences. With informational text scattered throughout the book to give historical context for the places and events, readers are given a full and profoundly affecting picture of what it was like after the bomb dropped, the struggle to return to normalcy, and the plea for activism to ban nuclear weapons.
When Setsuko Thurlow was thirteen, she witnessed one of history’s most horrific events. She experienced—and survived—the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to educate people about the catastrophe and to ensure that it never happens again. As a leading member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), she gave the acceptance speech when the organization won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
Never Silent recounts Setsuko’s earliest memories of her happy life in Hiroshima, followed by the devastating firsthand impact she witnesses after the dropping of the atomic bomb, and finally traces the steps she takes to rebuild a life in the aftermath of her experiences. With informational text scattered throughout the book to give historical context for the places and events, readers are given a full and profoundly affecting picture of what it was like after the bomb dropped, the struggle to return to normalcy, and the plea for activism to ban nuclear weapons.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 5, 2025
A great book to read in remembrance of the 80th anniversary!
This is a sobering look at Hiroshima through a 13-year-old’s eyes. Never Silent is an informative book, a mixture of Setsuko’s experience, the background leading up to the catastrophic event and history of Japan, life under occupation and the author’s introduction to activism.
Setsuko Nakamura was 13 years old in Hiroshima when the bomb exploded. She is one of three who survived out of a class of 30. Setsuko explains what happened immediately after the explosion and how her life was altered in the aftermath.
I learned about how numbness saved Setsuko in the days that followed and how it, her samurai background, and her parents’ example prevented bitterness from taking root. I read in awe learning about how the explosion affected survivors’ health and how children who’d been evacuated prior to the catastrophic event returned to devastation and roamed wild. I added a new term to my lexicon - ‘hibakusha’. I felt Setsuko’s anger building and obliged her the time to heed her warning.
I believe the author accomplished her goal; I was emotionally affected and felt encouraged to act.
I was gifted this copy by Annick Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is a sobering look at Hiroshima through a 13-year-old’s eyes. Never Silent is an informative book, a mixture of Setsuko’s experience, the background leading up to the catastrophic event and history of Japan, life under occupation and the author’s introduction to activism.
Setsuko Nakamura was 13 years old in Hiroshima when the bomb exploded. She is one of three who survived out of a class of 30. Setsuko explains what happened immediately after the explosion and how her life was altered in the aftermath.
I learned about how numbness saved Setsuko in the days that followed and how it, her samurai background, and her parents’ example prevented bitterness from taking root. I read in awe learning about how the explosion affected survivors’ health and how children who’d been evacuated prior to the catastrophic event returned to devastation and roamed wild. I added a new term to my lexicon - ‘hibakusha’. I felt Setsuko’s anger building and obliged her the time to heed her warning.
I believe the author accomplished her goal; I was emotionally affected and felt encouraged to act.
I was gifted this copy by Annick Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
November 17, 2025
I recently read Never Silent: A Hiroshima Survivor’s Story and wanted to share my thoughts. While I respect the author’s intent to share the suffering caused by the atomic bombings, I feel that the book presents an incomplete view of Japan’s invasion during World War II. I think the author fails to recognize the devastating impact of Japan’s wartime aggression on other Asian countries and undermines China’s contribution to ending World War II.
As a Chinese reader whose grandmother experienced Japan’s invasion of China, I was shocked and found it painful that the main text of the book does not mention Japan’s aggression in China (page 22 to 23, Japan in World War II), only referencing it in the appendix at the back. The China’s Resistance War Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) regarded as the beginning of World War II in Asia and it was the largest Asian war in the 20th century (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_...). Yet the author completely ignores it. I also noticed that the book (page 20 to 23) lists the Allied Powers as Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, and Canada, but it does not mention China. This omission is historically inaccurate and disappointing. China was one of the four major Allied Powers in World War II, alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_...). Chinese soldiers fought bravely and relentlessly against Japan’s invasion, sacrificing their lives to defend their homeland. They made significant contributions to defeating Japanese militarism and ending World War II. They should not be forgotten.
While the book mentions Japan’s invasion of Southeast Asia, it only briefly states “Japan invaded French Indochina,” without acknowledging the vast scale of suffering and loss of life during the Asia-Pacific War. Although the author describes the hardships of daily life after Japan’s invasion (pages 24–25), the text gives the impression that life in Japan merely became difficult, whereas in many occupied countries, civilians suffered terribly and many even lost their lives. During that period, Japanese forces killed civilians, raped women, looted property, seized land across Asia, and even committed the Nanjing Massacre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing...# ) and conducted inhumane medical experiments on Chinese people in northeastern China (see https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4876742/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_73... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1odMn... ). Conservative estimates suggest that about 25 million people died because of Japan’s invasion and occupation during the Asia-Pacific War (https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war..., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_W... ). And China had suffered the heaviest casualties in the war against Japan (more than 10 million). Much of this history remains unknown in the Western world because of political bias and lack of coverage.
Another concern is that the map showing Japanese-occupied territories in World War II (pages 20 to 23) is somewhat misleading. The book places China’s map right in the center fold of the pages, which makes it appear as though only a small part of China was invaded. In fact, Japan occupied a vast portion of eastern China, where about 90% of China’s population lived. Western China consists mainly of mountains, deserts, and high plateaus, which is why the invasion of the eastern region caused such devastating loss of life (https://www.pacificatrocities.org/blo... https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war...). I am not sure if this page layout was a coincidence or intentional, but the visual effect downplays the scale of Japan’s invasion and its devastating impact.
I understand that Japanese civilians suffered greatly from the atomic bombings, and they did not deserve such pain. I also respect the many Japanese people who have faced their country’s history and urged their government to acknowledge it. This book is valuable for reminding us why nuclear weapons should never be used again, but it is misleading to discuss Hiroshima without also acknowledging Japan’s wartime aggression and the suffering it caused across Asia!
As a Chinese reader whose grandmother experienced Japan’s invasion of China, I was shocked and found it painful that the main text of the book does not mention Japan’s aggression in China (page 22 to 23, Japan in World War II), only referencing it in the appendix at the back. The China’s Resistance War Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) regarded as the beginning of World War II in Asia and it was the largest Asian war in the 20th century (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_...). Yet the author completely ignores it. I also noticed that the book (page 20 to 23) lists the Allied Powers as Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, and Canada, but it does not mention China. This omission is historically inaccurate and disappointing. China was one of the four major Allied Powers in World War II, alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_...). Chinese soldiers fought bravely and relentlessly against Japan’s invasion, sacrificing their lives to defend their homeland. They made significant contributions to defeating Japanese militarism and ending World War II. They should not be forgotten.
While the book mentions Japan’s invasion of Southeast Asia, it only briefly states “Japan invaded French Indochina,” without acknowledging the vast scale of suffering and loss of life during the Asia-Pacific War. Although the author describes the hardships of daily life after Japan’s invasion (pages 24–25), the text gives the impression that life in Japan merely became difficult, whereas in many occupied countries, civilians suffered terribly and many even lost their lives. During that period, Japanese forces killed civilians, raped women, looted property, seized land across Asia, and even committed the Nanjing Massacre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing...# ) and conducted inhumane medical experiments on Chinese people in northeastern China (see https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4876742/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_73... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1odMn... ). Conservative estimates suggest that about 25 million people died because of Japan’s invasion and occupation during the Asia-Pacific War (https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war..., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_W... ). And China had suffered the heaviest casualties in the war against Japan (more than 10 million). Much of this history remains unknown in the Western world because of political bias and lack of coverage.
Another concern is that the map showing Japanese-occupied territories in World War II (pages 20 to 23) is somewhat misleading. The book places China’s map right in the center fold of the pages, which makes it appear as though only a small part of China was invaded. In fact, Japan occupied a vast portion of eastern China, where about 90% of China’s population lived. Western China consists mainly of mountains, deserts, and high plateaus, which is why the invasion of the eastern region caused such devastating loss of life (https://www.pacificatrocities.org/blo... https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war...). I am not sure if this page layout was a coincidence or intentional, but the visual effect downplays the scale of Japan’s invasion and its devastating impact.
I understand that Japanese civilians suffered greatly from the atomic bombings, and they did not deserve such pain. I also respect the many Japanese people who have faced their country’s history and urged their government to acknowledge it. This book is valuable for reminding us why nuclear weapons should never be used again, but it is misleading to discuss Hiroshima without also acknowledging Japan’s wartime aggression and the suffering it caused across Asia!
January 30, 2026
Author Setsuko Thurlow gives young readers a picture of life in Japan both before and after the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. Setsuko lived in a comfortable, happy world in the city. With Japan's invasions of China and Korea, and aggressive rumblings leading up to WWII around the world, Japanese children were encouraged to support the Japanese army once war broke out, and prepare for attacks through drills and digging fire lanes in Hiroshima.
Setsuko remembered only a bright light, then being dug out from under debris the morning of the attack. Of course, nothing could have prepared anyone for the incredibly horrifying effects that the nuclear explosion had on the city and its populace. Horrible suffering ensued, with thousands dead immediately, and many more succumbing to radiation sickness, days and even years later.
The book is chock-full of moving illustrations and photos which give one a peak at life in Hiroshima before war, and also before the nuclear bomb drop. The descriptions of survivors in the immediate aftermath are so sad, as well as the painful deaths of some of Setsuko's family members. Incredibly, her father and mother survived, and together, they found a way to rebuild their lives.
It's interesting to learn that post-war, the occupiers confiscated any materials created by survivors describing the bomb and its horrific aftereffects, and which could be interpreted as a criticism of the US (how not surprising). There items were then sent to the US.
After leaving Japan, and establishing her life in Toronto, Setsuko raised a family and eventually became an activist, speaking and organizing against nuclear weapons, their creation, testing and use.
The prose is straightforward and clear, but also very moving.
The book is a good reminder that war is horrible, period, and nuclear weapons should never be used, much less developed.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Annick Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Setsuko remembered only a bright light, then being dug out from under debris the morning of the attack. Of course, nothing could have prepared anyone for the incredibly horrifying effects that the nuclear explosion had on the city and its populace. Horrible suffering ensued, with thousands dead immediately, and many more succumbing to radiation sickness, days and even years later.
The book is chock-full of moving illustrations and photos which give one a peak at life in Hiroshima before war, and also before the nuclear bomb drop. The descriptions of survivors in the immediate aftermath are so sad, as well as the painful deaths of some of Setsuko's family members. Incredibly, her father and mother survived, and together, they found a way to rebuild their lives.
It's interesting to learn that post-war, the occupiers confiscated any materials created by survivors describing the bomb and its horrific aftereffects, and which could be interpreted as a criticism of the US (how not surprising). There items were then sent to the US.
After leaving Japan, and establishing her life in Toronto, Setsuko raised a family and eventually became an activist, speaking and organizing against nuclear weapons, their creation, testing and use.
The prose is straightforward and clear, but also very moving.
The book is a good reminder that war is horrible, period, and nuclear weapons should never be used, much less developed.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Annick Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
February 1, 2026
I really appreciate how honestly Setsuko tells her story of surviving what seems unsurvivable. Her bravery and her honesty to let the reader into that dark day and its aftermath is truly an honor.
I honestly was uninformed about the continued work towards nuclear disarmament. I am so impressed by the global efforts to pursue this cause, even when it seems more impossible than ever in today's global chaos.
I will say, this book has a bit of an impossible task, of delicately trying to explain where the death toll already was prior to the dropping of the nuclear bombs. It's a highly nuanced conversation, and people will always try to justify deadly force by throwing out a number of "lives that this aggressive maneuver would actually save". Those mental gymnastics are well documented over US history. So as much as I appreciate the historical breakdown sections, you can't help but feel like a lot of specifics are being glazed over for the sake of the audience. And I don't know if that's something you can fix in this context. But regardless, Setsuko's story is harrowing, and her continued life's work should be an inspiration to all.
I honestly was uninformed about the continued work towards nuclear disarmament. I am so impressed by the global efforts to pursue this cause, even when it seems more impossible than ever in today's global chaos.
I will say, this book has a bit of an impossible task, of delicately trying to explain where the death toll already was prior to the dropping of the nuclear bombs. It's a highly nuanced conversation, and people will always try to justify deadly force by throwing out a number of "lives that this aggressive maneuver would actually save". Those mental gymnastics are well documented over US history. So as much as I appreciate the historical breakdown sections, you can't help but feel like a lot of specifics are being glazed over for the sake of the audience. And I don't know if that's something you can fix in this context. But regardless, Setsuko's story is harrowing, and her continued life's work should be an inspiration to all.
April 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very informative book. I like that the author's personal story was woven with the facts and photographs.
It's a heartbreaking story with a call to action.
This is a very informative book. I like that the author's personal story was woven with the facts and photographs.
It's a heartbreaking story with a call to action.
July 14, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for the ARC of this one - I felt this was written very age appropriate to explain this very important piece of history to children.
October 14, 2025
Perfect slim book that’s part historical information and part memoir. The details are terrifying but brief, and focuses a lot on how the author went from bomb victim to anti-nuclear-weapon activist. A storing line of hope tours this harrowing tale.
October 17, 2025
Setsuko was only thirteen when an atomic bomb fell on her home city of Hiroshima, Japan. Against all odds, she survived (and is still alive at the time of this review). As an adult, her lived experiences from the war drove her to become an activist, advocating for global nuclear disarmament. She is even one of the founders of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a group that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. Never Silent starts with Japan entering WWII and includes how organizations like ICAN have been pushing back against nuclear weapons to this day. Setsuko ends with a question for readers: “what can you do?” Included are four action items to show how each one of us can help to get legislation passed to ban nuclear weapons.
At under 100 pages, Setsuko’s story is both accessible and impactful as she tells readers her experiences right before and after the bombing while also including some important pieces of Japan history and what Hiroshima looks like today. Theodore’s illustrations convey the absolute devastation post-bomb while still being appropriate for a younger audience. This book will hopefully encourage readers to learn more about the immediate and long term effects of nuclear weapons. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
At under 100 pages, Setsuko’s story is both accessible and impactful as she tells readers her experiences right before and after the bombing while also including some important pieces of Japan history and what Hiroshima looks like today. Theodore’s illustrations convey the absolute devastation post-bomb while still being appropriate for a younger audience. This book will hopefully encourage readers to learn more about the immediate and long term effects of nuclear weapons. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
April 15, 2025
A sobering, informative, and powerful telling of one of history's most horrifying atrocities. Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow tells of her relatively carefree life before the bombing, the way that Japan changed in response to WWII, the awful, incomprehensible event itself, and the horrid aftermath of the months and years that came after.
While this is aimed at a younger audience, it does its duty and doesn't shy away from the violence or vivid descriptions (so be considerate of that if your child is of a more sensitive mind.) This is a recount that still, all these years later, needs to be told, remembered, and never repeated. Power to the people like Setsuko who have been advocating since for a better, more peaceful world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
While this is aimed at a younger audience, it does its duty and doesn't shy away from the violence or vivid descriptions (so be considerate of that if your child is of a more sensitive mind.) This is a recount that still, all these years later, needs to be told, remembered, and never repeated. Power to the people like Setsuko who have been advocating since for a better, more peaceful world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2025
I was humbled to be able to visit Hiroshima in July, about a month ahead of the 80th anniversary that this book was being published on to recognize the horrors of the atomic bomb and what it unleashed on the people of Hiroshima (and Nagasaki) as Thurlow details her outspokenness about nuclear bombs after surviving it and sharing about its impact and destruction. A mix of narrative nonfiction, images, and illustrations, it tells the story for a younger audience and brought me back to the emotional walk through the museum and the Peace Memorial Park itself which started with the A-dome and leaving a crane.
It's an important book that delivers a strong message and details a piece of history that can never be undone.
It's an important book that delivers a strong message and details a piece of history that can never be undone.
April 12, 2025
This was a very accessible yet educational read about the atomic bombing of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Even though it’s targeted at kids, I learned several things I didn’t know before. The US’s use of the atomic bomb was horrific and its effects have only grown as time passes. Viewing the tragedy through the lens of a child and also zooming out to show the aftermath for Japan was a great way to personalize the tragedy while still showing its breadth.
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the eARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the eARC!
April 12, 2025
Never Silent is an informative new book about the history and impact of the bombing of Hiroshima. Appropriate for children in 4th=6th grade, this is a book that I would have highly enjoyed at that age. With excellent photographs and short sections, this book could be devoured in one sitting or over multiple days. This is a book that I would prefer to have a physical copy of, rather than read on a screen.
Thank you to Annick Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy. Opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to Annick Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy. Opinions expressed are my own.
January 16, 2026
This one got me extremely choked up but it was incredibly informative, and I feel also relates to many of the topics currently happening regarding war that a lot of kids have questions about. I will say that because this is a first hand account, it is incredibly sad.
I would definitely recommend this to kids who like Alan Gantz novels, and the I Survived series, especially if they're really interested in history.
I ended up crying in public after reading this. It was very awkward, but this book is a fantastic and impactful resource.
Highly recommend.
I would definitely recommend this to kids who like Alan Gantz novels, and the I Survived series, especially if they're really interested in history.
I ended up crying in public after reading this. It was very awkward, but this book is a fantastic and impactful resource.
Highly recommend.
November 21, 2025
Nonagenarian/Nobel Peace Prize winner Thurlow survived the US bombing of Hiroshima and has spent her life working to ban nuclear weapons. This gripping book includes photographs and illustrations which adds to the horror of her story. Thurlow was with a group of 30 girls when the bomb struck and was 1 of only 3 survivors. Includes information about her life’s work with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
June 18, 2025
Never Silent is an informative and touching book about the devastation fall out of nuclear war.
I loved how this book was a swirl of historic fact and the personal story of Setsuko Thurlow. I felt the mixture of drawn art and historical pictures with captions added to Thurlow’s story. This book would be a great supplement to middle and high school curriculum.
I loved how this book was a swirl of historic fact and the personal story of Setsuko Thurlow. I felt the mixture of drawn art and historical pictures with captions added to Thurlow’s story. This book would be a great supplement to middle and high school curriculum.
July 1, 2025
Thank you to Annick Press and NetGalley for the arc.
The author uses her childhood experience as a youngster in Hiroshima, and as a survivor of the atomic bomb which obliterated her city, to become an advocate against nuclear weapons. Photographs of Hiroshima before and after the attack, a brief summary of the the culture of the town, the education system and the military's use of school children in the war effort, provide a unique look the consequences of nuclear weapons. Back matter includes a detailed chronology of Japan's involvement in the war. This book will serve as an example of how an individual can use their experiences to advocate for a better world.
The author uses her childhood experience as a youngster in Hiroshima, and as a survivor of the atomic bomb which obliterated her city, to become an advocate against nuclear weapons. Photographs of Hiroshima before and after the attack, a brief summary of the the culture of the town, the education system and the military's use of school children in the war effort, provide a unique look the consequences of nuclear weapons. Back matter includes a detailed chronology of Japan's involvement in the war. This book will serve as an example of how an individual can use their experiences to advocate for a better world.
October 13, 2025
Setsuko's story is a timely one in a world that's full of the violence of mankind in the quest to be the ruler. Given what she lived through, it's no wonder she became an activist and heavily involved with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
My one complaint is that the maps included span both pages and a lot of information gets lost in the gutter so it's illegible.
My one complaint is that the maps included span both pages and a lot of information gets lost in the gutter so it's illegible.
November 6, 2025
So often in World War 2, Japan's involvement is summed up by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hiroshima is often only viewed as how the war ended in the American classroom. After reading this book, it turns out that was on purpose-- the Japanese government instructed their people not to make the US look bad for dropping the bomb. Although this is a children's book, I truly learned a lot.
June 27, 2025
so incredibly sad but I learned several things.
July 12, 2025
In Never Silent, Setsuko Thurlow gives us an emotional, profoundly human memoir as personal history as historical record and moral imperative. Thurlow, a surviving Hiroshima survivor alive today, offers readers a personal history of her life before, during, and after the atomic bombing and also documenting her decades of activism as a peace activist and nuclear disarmament activist.
Thurlow also leaves the reader with the haunting ethical question: How long can we be silent? The memoir is not passive-it demands thinking, it demands compassion, and ultimately, action.
Never Silent is a call to remembrance and moral courage.
Thurlow also leaves the reader with the haunting ethical question: How long can we be silent? The memoir is not passive-it demands thinking, it demands compassion, and ultimately, action.
Never Silent is a call to remembrance and moral courage.
December 20, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy
What an amazing read to introduce students to a different perspective not only to the dropping of the atomic bombs but also WW2 in general. I loved being able to read the first hand account of what it was like to be in Japan before and after the bombs. The honesty with which the authors speaks is moving and opens the reader's eyes to the horrors that have come with the creation of nuclear weapons.
What an amazing read to introduce students to a different perspective not only to the dropping of the atomic bombs but also WW2 in general. I loved being able to read the first hand account of what it was like to be in Japan before and after the bombs. The honesty with which the authors speaks is moving and opens the reader's eyes to the horrors that have come with the creation of nuclear weapons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews