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Under the Broken Sky
A beautifully told middle-grade novel-in-verse about a Japanese orphan’s experience in occupied rural Manchuria during World War II.
Twelve-year-old Natsu and her family live a quiet farm life in Manchuria, near the border of the Soviet Union. But the life they’ve known begins to unravel when her father is recruited to the Japanese army, and Natsu and her little sister, Cricket, are left orphaned and destitute.
In a desperate move to keep her sister alive, Natsu sells Cricket to a Russian family following the 1945 Soviet occupation. The journey to redemption for Natsu's broken family is rife with struggles, but Natsu is tenacious and will stop at nothing to get her little sister back.
Literary and historically insightful, this is one of the great untold stories of WWII. Much like the Newbery Honor book Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, Mariko Nagai's Under the Broken Sky is powerful, poignant, and ultimately hopeful.
Christy Ottaviano Books
Twelve-year-old Natsu and her family live a quiet farm life in Manchuria, near the border of the Soviet Union. But the life they’ve known begins to unravel when her father is recruited to the Japanese army, and Natsu and her little sister, Cricket, are left orphaned and destitute.
In a desperate move to keep her sister alive, Natsu sells Cricket to a Russian family following the 1945 Soviet occupation. The journey to redemption for Natsu's broken family is rife with struggles, but Natsu is tenacious and will stop at nothing to get her little sister back.
Literary and historically insightful, this is one of the great untold stories of WWII. Much like the Newbery Honor book Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, Mariko Nagai's Under the Broken Sky is powerful, poignant, and ultimately hopeful.
Christy Ottaviano Books
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2019
31 people are currently reading
1680 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
April 17, 2018
I am not familiar with this form of writing: a novel in a poetry form.
It's a very fast read, but the experience is really thick and dense. I didn't realize how much one can say with such economical use of language. The book really takes you to Manchuria in 1945 and let you live through the hardships and emotions.
It's a very fast read, but the experience is really thick and dense. I didn't realize how much one can say with such economical use of language. The book really takes you to Manchuria in 1945 and let you live through the hardships and emotions.
March 11, 2024
Wonderful, heartbreaking book-in-verse about a piece of history I knew nothing about.
It’s the end of WWII and the Japanese who have settled in occupied Manchuria are forced to leave their settlements and find their way to safety. Safety that for many of them doesn’t exist. Malnutrition, poverty, starvation, mistreatment, illness, and death stalk them all. We follow a pair of orphaned siblings (Natsu and Asa) as they try to survive these harsh conditions with a neighbor who flees with them.
This one is hard to read, but powerful, and one of those great historical fictions that makes you want to deep-dive into the actual history. ❤️
It’s the end of WWII and the Japanese who have settled in occupied Manchuria are forced to leave their settlements and find their way to safety. Safety that for many of them doesn’t exist. Malnutrition, poverty, starvation, mistreatment, illness, and death stalk them all. We follow a pair of orphaned siblings (Natsu and Asa) as they try to survive these harsh conditions with a neighbor who flees with them.
This one is hard to read, but powerful, and one of those great historical fictions that makes you want to deep-dive into the actual history. ❤️
October 7, 2019
This book was really hard to read due to the severity of their lives, which is one reason why I was so determined to read more. The authors note is something I would want my students to read first to gain background knowledge before they start. This is a historical moment I knew absolutely nothing about going in to this story, but the conditions that they lived through were horrific. It’s definitely a story for upper MG and a book to discuss. I love that it was written in verse.
Read
November 9, 2024A difficult but important read. Just know that the description of the book is not very accurate, as it only describes the very last part of the book. This is really a story about a girl forced to leave her home and become a refugee.
November 6, 2019
I think this book is eye opening and well written, but I have a few major issues;
The Goodreads summary uses the wrong name for Natsu’s sister (which should be Asa) - and then the bigger issue to me is that any write-up about the book I’ve seen - including the book’s jacket - summarizes the book as if the entire premise is something that actually doesn’t happen until 250 pages in (of the 280 pages total!)
Since I had read that blurb, I basically spent the whole book waiting for “that” to happen and “that” situation ended up being over and done with within 30 pages. Not sure if that’s a publisher or editor error, but to me it’s a big thing. I would love for them to fix this because the book itself doesn’t need a misleading blurb to get readers’ attention, and it’s definitely a worthwhile story to add to your pile.
The Goodreads summary uses the wrong name for Natsu’s sister (which should be Asa) - and then the bigger issue to me is that any write-up about the book I’ve seen - including the book’s jacket - summarizes the book as if the entire premise is something that actually doesn’t happen until 250 pages in (of the 280 pages total!)
Since I had read that blurb, I basically spent the whole book waiting for “that” to happen and “that” situation ended up being over and done with within 30 pages. Not sure if that’s a publisher or editor error, but to me it’s a big thing. I would love for them to fix this because the book itself doesn’t need a misleading blurb to get readers’ attention, and it’s definitely a worthwhile story to add to your pile.
October 28, 2019
This starts at the end of the the Pacific side of WW2. Japan is losing and a twelve-year-old Japanese girl must flee her "home" in China.
I think it is advisable to read the afterword before reading the actual book. Japan should never have been in China (settling there, colonizing through force) to begin with...although that doesn't lessen my sympathy for the protagonist who is just a child.
I think it is advisable to read the afterword before reading the actual book. Japan should never have been in China (settling there, colonizing through force) to begin with...although that doesn't lessen my sympathy for the protagonist who is just a child.
June 28, 2021
// Under the Broken Sky by Mariko Nagai.
I knew very less about Manchuria being occupied by the Japanese back in 1931, later being named as Manchukuo. Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state, enabling many Japanese to settle in amidst the Chinese. The Chinese weren't happy about losing their state to the invaders which ultimately caused a hostile situation between the two groups. Under the Broken Sky is the story of two Japanese sisters growing up in Manchukuo who were later forced out of their homes when Soviet Union entered China. The story is undoubtedly very heartbreaking but also needs to be read to understand the lesser known part of WWII.
Natsu and Asa live with their father in Manchukuo on a farm until their father is drafted to fight for the Japanese empire. The Japanese settlers quickly turned into refugees. Their neighbour who is referred to as 'Auntie', assumes the role of a guardian and looks after the girls as they make their way to Harbin. They walk for days with little or no food, meeting angry Chinese on the way and even escaping bombing planes. Upon reaching Harbin, the Japanese refugees are made to live in an abandoned school with inedible food, and no insulation to get through the winter. This particular part reminded me of the concentration camps where families were dying slowly due to malnutrition or cold. The Chinese and Russian forced or begged the Japanese families to let them adopt their children and most of them had to succumb to it in order to save the kids. Natsu and Asa share an endearing bond and although their story ends on a happy note, not many were met with the same fate. This is undoubtedly the lesser known historical event that happened during the WWII.
Under the Broken Sky is about how innocent people have to pay for the decisions made by the men who wield power. Although this is a middle grade novel, I think it's suitable for a slightly older crowd. I certainly recommend this.
I knew very less about Manchuria being occupied by the Japanese back in 1931, later being named as Manchukuo. Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state, enabling many Japanese to settle in amidst the Chinese. The Chinese weren't happy about losing their state to the invaders which ultimately caused a hostile situation between the two groups. Under the Broken Sky is the story of two Japanese sisters growing up in Manchukuo who were later forced out of their homes when Soviet Union entered China. The story is undoubtedly very heartbreaking but also needs to be read to understand the lesser known part of WWII.
Natsu and Asa live with their father in Manchukuo on a farm until their father is drafted to fight for the Japanese empire. The Japanese settlers quickly turned into refugees. Their neighbour who is referred to as 'Auntie', assumes the role of a guardian and looks after the girls as they make their way to Harbin. They walk for days with little or no food, meeting angry Chinese on the way and even escaping bombing planes. Upon reaching Harbin, the Japanese refugees are made to live in an abandoned school with inedible food, and no insulation to get through the winter. This particular part reminded me of the concentration camps where families were dying slowly due to malnutrition or cold. The Chinese and Russian forced or begged the Japanese families to let them adopt their children and most of them had to succumb to it in order to save the kids. Natsu and Asa share an endearing bond and although their story ends on a happy note, not many were met with the same fate. This is undoubtedly the lesser known historical event that happened during the WWII.
Under the Broken Sky is about how innocent people have to pay for the decisions made by the men who wield power. Although this is a middle grade novel, I think it's suitable for a slightly older crowd. I certainly recommend this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2021
This was an amazing book. It was written in verse, so it's a very quick read, but it really packs an emotional punch. Many of the poems are simple but beautiful. The subject matter is very heavy, following two children's escape from Manchuria to Harbin, China after Japan's loss of WWII. This is a subject I knew next to nothing about, so I really appreciated being able to learn about it by reading this book written from a child's perspective. This book had a great emphasis on the horrible effects that war has on "regular" people who are just trying to live. I really wish more people read this book, it's worth it.
November 24, 2019
Richie’s Picks: UNDER THE BROKEN SKY by Mariko Nagai, Henry Holt/Christy Ottaviano Books, October 2019, 304p., ISBN: 978-1-250-15921-2
“Don’t give up
‘Cause I believe there’s a place
There’s a place where we belong”
-- Peter Gabriel (1986)
Natsu, the elder sister, is now twelve. She was six when her mother died while giving birth to Asa:
“Kachan’s Ghost
Some nights like tonight when I can’t sleep,
I count memories of Kachan like people count
sheep. I remember her singing:
she only sang one song about a girl who went
to America wearing red shoes. I remember
when she used to sit really close by the lamp
to sew or mend, she would always lick the end
of the thread, squinting her eyes, before she put it through
the eye of the needle. It made Tochan laugh every time.
Laughing is something that Tochan doesn’t do now.
He must have buried his laughter inside
Kachan’s coffin with her body. I remember Tochan yelling
at me to keep the water boiling so he could melt
the frozen ground. Only then could he bury Kachan.
I remember Goat living in our hut
that long winter so we could give milk to Asa.
And when Goat died, we were all sad
but thanked her for a good dinner that night.
I remember before Asa came, Tochan,
Kachan, and I slept in the shape of the Chinese
characters for river, three parallel lines, with me in the middle.
And when Asa came, I slept where Kachan once slept,
with Asa in the middle. Tochan calls my mom
Kachan--mother--and that’s why I call her this.
I also know that every morning,
Tochan talks to Kachan at the altar,
asking her to look after Asa and me.
That makes me real sad, though I don’t tell
Tochan I hear what he says. Sometimes I know why
Kachan died: because I didn’t love her enough.
If I had loved her enough, she would’ve wanted
to stay with us. And sometimes,
I remember that feeling right after she died,
the feeling of my heart breaking
into pieces like an icicle
shattering against the ground in early spring,
and I never want to feel like that, ever again,
That’s why I don’t like to remember Kachan that much--
All I remember is sadness.”
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY is, above all, a breathtaking fictional survival story. Young readers who enjoy such tales will be undeterred by the setting, even if they are not typically fans of historical fiction.
When Natsu and Asa’s father is conscripted; a neighbor assumes informal guardianship of the sisters just in time for them to all face a desperate, forced migration.
The story is based on what took place in Manchuria at the end of WWII. In the face of the Soviet occupation, the Japanese who were living there sought to escape back to Japan. In the Afterword, the author explains how these people came to be living in Manchuria:
“In 1931, the Japanese government overtook the northern part of China and declared it an independent state called Manchukuo with the last emperor of China--Puyi--as the Kangde Emperor of Manchuria. The government of the newly founded Manchuria created a slogan, ‘Five Races Under One Union,’ and indeed, there were many races living in the country: the Mongolians, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Russians (who escaped the Russian Revolution of 1917), and many Europeans…
However, in reality, Manchukuo was a puppet state controlled by the Japanese government.
Japan at that time was suffering from three major issues: overpopulation, bad economy, and lack of natural resources. As a state policy, Japan encouraged its citizens--especially impoverished villages and second and third sons of farmers--to relocate to Manchuria and other occupied territories to provide much needed natural resources for the mainland.
At the time UNDER THE BROKEN SKY takes place, there were two million Japanese living in China and Manchuria. As a result of the conflict, 80,000 of the Manchurian Japanese civilians died.
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY is written as a verse novel, a form that gained a lot of attention when Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST won the Newbery Medal. In that story, the prose poetry format helped convey that Dust Bowl-era survival story by buffering the horror and highlighting the hope.
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY, another piece of historical fiction written in prose poetry, benefits in the same way. This style helps readers digest the horrors and danger surrounding the sisters as we root for them to survive while so many other characters--including their guardian--are perishing.
As an eldest child who was assigned responsibilities that my siblings never experienced, I relate to the seriousness and tenacity with which Natsu accepts and acts upon her father’s instructions that she somehow safely get herself and Asa back to Japan in his absence.
For those of us who are fans of historical fiction and of verse novels, this is a fully satisfying read.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Don’t give up
‘Cause I believe there’s a place
There’s a place where we belong”
-- Peter Gabriel (1986)
Natsu, the elder sister, is now twelve. She was six when her mother died while giving birth to Asa:
“Kachan’s Ghost
Some nights like tonight when I can’t sleep,
I count memories of Kachan like people count
sheep. I remember her singing:
she only sang one song about a girl who went
to America wearing red shoes. I remember
when she used to sit really close by the lamp
to sew or mend, she would always lick the end
of the thread, squinting her eyes, before she put it through
the eye of the needle. It made Tochan laugh every time.
Laughing is something that Tochan doesn’t do now.
He must have buried his laughter inside
Kachan’s coffin with her body. I remember Tochan yelling
at me to keep the water boiling so he could melt
the frozen ground. Only then could he bury Kachan.
I remember Goat living in our hut
that long winter so we could give milk to Asa.
And when Goat died, we were all sad
but thanked her for a good dinner that night.
I remember before Asa came, Tochan,
Kachan, and I slept in the shape of the Chinese
characters for river, three parallel lines, with me in the middle.
And when Asa came, I slept where Kachan once slept,
with Asa in the middle. Tochan calls my mom
Kachan--mother--and that’s why I call her this.
I also know that every morning,
Tochan talks to Kachan at the altar,
asking her to look after Asa and me.
That makes me real sad, though I don’t tell
Tochan I hear what he says. Sometimes I know why
Kachan died: because I didn’t love her enough.
If I had loved her enough, she would’ve wanted
to stay with us. And sometimes,
I remember that feeling right after she died,
the feeling of my heart breaking
into pieces like an icicle
shattering against the ground in early spring,
and I never want to feel like that, ever again,
That’s why I don’t like to remember Kachan that much--
All I remember is sadness.”
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY is, above all, a breathtaking fictional survival story. Young readers who enjoy such tales will be undeterred by the setting, even if they are not typically fans of historical fiction.
When Natsu and Asa’s father is conscripted; a neighbor assumes informal guardianship of the sisters just in time for them to all face a desperate, forced migration.
The story is based on what took place in Manchuria at the end of WWII. In the face of the Soviet occupation, the Japanese who were living there sought to escape back to Japan. In the Afterword, the author explains how these people came to be living in Manchuria:
“In 1931, the Japanese government overtook the northern part of China and declared it an independent state called Manchukuo with the last emperor of China--Puyi--as the Kangde Emperor of Manchuria. The government of the newly founded Manchuria created a slogan, ‘Five Races Under One Union,’ and indeed, there were many races living in the country: the Mongolians, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Russians (who escaped the Russian Revolution of 1917), and many Europeans…
However, in reality, Manchukuo was a puppet state controlled by the Japanese government.
Japan at that time was suffering from three major issues: overpopulation, bad economy, and lack of natural resources. As a state policy, Japan encouraged its citizens--especially impoverished villages and second and third sons of farmers--to relocate to Manchuria and other occupied territories to provide much needed natural resources for the mainland.
At the time UNDER THE BROKEN SKY takes place, there were two million Japanese living in China and Manchuria. As a result of the conflict, 80,000 of the Manchurian Japanese civilians died.
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY is written as a verse novel, a form that gained a lot of attention when Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST won the Newbery Medal. In that story, the prose poetry format helped convey that Dust Bowl-era survival story by buffering the horror and highlighting the hope.
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY, another piece of historical fiction written in prose poetry, benefits in the same way. This style helps readers digest the horrors and danger surrounding the sisters as we root for them to survive while so many other characters--including their guardian--are perishing.
As an eldest child who was assigned responsibilities that my siblings never experienced, I relate to the seriousness and tenacity with which Natsu accepts and acts upon her father’s instructions that she somehow safely get herself and Asa back to Japan in his absence.
For those of us who are fans of historical fiction and of verse novels, this is a fully satisfying read.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
April 28, 2020
Phenomenal. Absolutely heartbreaking. I am not often a fan of novels written in verse, but this one is a story meant to be told this way.
Follow Natsu and Asa as they flee Manchuria on foot near the end of WWII and live as refugees in Harbin, China. This is a heart wrenching take of a specific forced migration that I’ve not heard before, but it is also the tale of every forced migration.
This book touched my heart. I want to meet Mariko Nagai, bow and say thank you.
Highly recommended for history buffs, fans of novels in verse, people who want to see what it is to be a refugee. This is just an incredible story of endurance, resilience and survival.
Follow Natsu and Asa as they flee Manchuria on foot near the end of WWII and live as refugees in Harbin, China. This is a heart wrenching take of a specific forced migration that I’ve not heard before, but it is also the tale of every forced migration.
This book touched my heart. I want to meet Mariko Nagai, bow and say thank you.
Highly recommended for history buffs, fans of novels in verse, people who want to see what it is to be a refugee. This is just an incredible story of endurance, resilience and survival.
February 23, 2021
Beautifully written. My heart broke in million pieces. I wish all the Natsu n Asa out there managed to find their Tochan...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
March 9, 2023DNF @50 pages. I guess I'm not a fan of novels in verse...
September 5, 2020
Refugees during WW II but in Asia.
January 4, 2020
This was an important and also a quick read. I really enjoy free verse poetry, especially when it’s used for Historical Fiction, so I enjoyed this.
My only real complaint is that the synopsis does not match the book AT ALL. 1.) I don’t know why they call her sister Cricket in the description. Her name is Asa. She is never once referred to as “Cricket”. It’s not even the English translation for the name Asa, which means “Morning” in Japanese apparently. 2.) This book is separated into 6 subsections. The part where Natsu is trying to get her sister back happens in part 6. It lasts about 40 pages. So 80% of the book is before the part that’s in the description.
It’s still a great book I would highly recommend. But it’s more about Natsu and Asa’s journey across Manchuria and their attempts to stay alive than it is Natsu looking for her sister.
My only real complaint is that the synopsis does not match the book AT ALL. 1.) I don’t know why they call her sister Cricket in the description. Her name is Asa. She is never once referred to as “Cricket”. It’s not even the English translation for the name Asa, which means “Morning” in Japanese apparently. 2.) This book is separated into 6 subsections. The part where Natsu is trying to get her sister back happens in part 6. It lasts about 40 pages. So 80% of the book is before the part that’s in the description.
It’s still a great book I would highly recommend. But it’s more about Natsu and Asa’s journey across Manchuria and their attempts to stay alive than it is Natsu looking for her sister.
July 26, 2020
A novel in verse that belongs on the shelf with Out of the Dust and Home of the Brave. Readers learn about a portion of WWII that is left out of the American school curriculum. You'll probably cry! (It would pair nicely with Grenade by Alan Gratz).
January 1, 2022
I knew nothing about Manchuria or why so many Japanese people were living there in 1945, during WWII. But this historical fiction novel, written in poetic form, was extremely informative and kept me thoroughly engaged. It’s an extremely fast read about a twelve-year-old girl named Natsu and her younger sister as they become refugees attempting to get to safety, in Japan. It’s beautifully written, yet also very open about the horrors these refugees experienced. DO NOT forget the back matter where the author provides even more details to help fill in the gaps (and potentially answer the question about what happened to one of the characters).
October 1, 2019
I had no idea about Manchuria during WWII. The author does a great job explaining the plight of refugees. Natsu is a twelve-year-old who is trying to keep a promise and hold her family together while seeking refuge from warn torn cities. This is an emotional novel told in verse. It is appropriate for middle and high school readers.
February 20, 2021
Well, I pretty much just cried through this entire book. Would be a great addition to a middle grades HF lit circle (especially ones focused on WWII), as this Japanese refugee perspective is rarely presented. Just a harrowing reminder that war is brutal, and though most people are raised to see certain groups at their enemies, they are just pawns who suffer at the hands of their government’s choices. As the author states in her afterword, “no one chooses to be a refugee.”
June 1, 2022
A story told about the refugees/forced migrants just after WWII from the PIV of a 12 yo responsible for her 6 yo sister- told in free verse. Poignant and hopeful, the pain is evident and yet Natsu powerfully is stronger than she knows when she is at her weakest. Just lovely- and a little told “side effect” of war.
April 5, 2025
I feel like I just re-lived The Grave of the Fireflies.
May 3, 2021
This book was super interesting, for two reasons.
1. It's written in free verse, which I noticed with my middle school students was an excellent way to engage reluctant, English as a second language, and not quite up to grade-level readers. The free verse structure -- super short lines, with 8-9 words per line max -- makes for very easy entry into the text and keeps students reading, because of high success and low frustration levels. Students progress quickly through the text, giving them a sense of accomplishment and pride as they read.
2. The POV (point-of-view -- ELA teachers note this) is unique, that I'm aware of, for WWII literature on the market right now. The story is told from the POV of a Japanese girl, whose family worked a farm seized from Chinese farmers in Manchuria, near the U.S.S.R. border.
Twelve-year-old Natsu doesn't necessarily understand that her parents are working fields that were taken from Chinese farmers. She understands the Chinese don't like the Japanese working the farms, but she's not yet politically astute enough to understand why, or what had to happen for her parents to get the farm in the first place.
Her world falls apart with the 1945 invasion by the Soviet Union of China, liberating the Japanese-occupied farms and returning them to their Chinese rightful owners. But what happens to the Japanese children, when their parents are rounded up and taken away?
Desperately sick with dysentery and charged with looking after her little brother by her father, before he's taken away, she gives her little brother to a wealthy Russian woman who promises to take care of him.
But when Natsu decides to head back to Japan and find her parents, she's determined to take her little brother with her. She outstubborns the woman, who finally gives him up, and they start their journey.
This is not a feel-good story. You don't get a clear ending. There is little or no hope that they'll find their parents when they return to Japan, in those final lines of verse, and apparently this mirrors the real life experiences of those who escaped and made it back to Japan. They were not welcomed, they often had no one to greet them, as none of their families survived or would acknowledge them once they returned.
It's a grim period in a history not often examined in US-WWII curriculum, and would make an excellent addition to your ELA poetry offerings. I can't recommend it in Teachers, however, as I could find no free teaching resources to accompany this book.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
1. It's written in free verse, which I noticed with my middle school students was an excellent way to engage reluctant, English as a second language, and not quite up to grade-level readers. The free verse structure -- super short lines, with 8-9 words per line max -- makes for very easy entry into the text and keeps students reading, because of high success and low frustration levels. Students progress quickly through the text, giving them a sense of accomplishment and pride as they read.
2. The POV (point-of-view -- ELA teachers note this) is unique, that I'm aware of, for WWII literature on the market right now. The story is told from the POV of a Japanese girl, whose family worked a farm seized from Chinese farmers in Manchuria, near the U.S.S.R. border.
Twelve-year-old Natsu doesn't necessarily understand that her parents are working fields that were taken from Chinese farmers. She understands the Chinese don't like the Japanese working the farms, but she's not yet politically astute enough to understand why, or what had to happen for her parents to get the farm in the first place.
Her world falls apart with the 1945 invasion by the Soviet Union of China, liberating the Japanese-occupied farms and returning them to their Chinese rightful owners. But what happens to the Japanese children, when their parents are rounded up and taken away?
Desperately sick with dysentery and charged with looking after her little brother by her father, before he's taken away, she gives her little brother to a wealthy Russian woman who promises to take care of him.
But when Natsu decides to head back to Japan and find her parents, she's determined to take her little brother with her. She outstubborns the woman, who finally gives him up, and they start their journey.
This is not a feel-good story. You don't get a clear ending. There is little or no hope that they'll find their parents when they return to Japan, in those final lines of verse, and apparently this mirrors the real life experiences of those who escaped and made it back to Japan. They were not welcomed, they often had no one to greet them, as none of their families survived or would acknowledge them once they returned.
It's a grim period in a history not often examined in US-WWII curriculum, and would make an excellent addition to your ELA poetry offerings. I can't recommend it in Teachers, however, as I could find no free teaching resources to accompany this book.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
March 29, 2024
Although I knew a little bit about Manchuria, having read The Rape of Nanking years ago, I have never encountered a book for middle graders focusing on this particular topic. Natsu Kimura lives a quiet life on a farm in Manchuria with her father and younger sister, Asa, when WWII comes to an end, and Soviet troops invade the area that has been occupied to Japanese. After her father, Tochan, is drafted and leaves home with his beloved Horse, Natsu is expected to keep the home fires burning. As the Soviets draw near, Natsu, Asa, and Auntie and the rest of the villagers are forced to flee. They find little safety or welcome wherever they go, and as the weather worsens, things become so critical that Natsu decides to sell her sister. Later, of course, she realizes what a mistake she's made and hounds the Russian woman with whom Asa is living. As another reviewer noted, this is not an easy book to read. Its novel in verse format makes the story personal and immediate, and readers can feel the cramp in their bellies as Natsu, Asa, and Auntie are starving as well as the extreme cold and loneliness they experience. I was touched by Natsu's constant hope that Tochan and Horse were somehow okay, and that they'd all be united in Japan or back home someday. In some ways, her innocence reminded me of Lakshmi in Sold, another particularly moving story told in verse form. Many of the lines hurt to read since they attested to the cruel carelessness of others: "With the door closed / we live in darkness but this darkness is warmer / than the cold and other people, colder still" (p. 161). The very real awareness that those who died could not be buried due to the cold temperatures and their bodies would need to be heaped somewhere until things warmed up took me aback. Readers won't want to miss the Afterword, and might even want to read it before reading Natsu's story. Emotionally searing yet hopeful, this one will stay on readers' minds long after the final page has been turned--as well it should. Not only is the sky of Natsu's world broken, but so are readers' hearts.
January 27, 2020
The setting for this book was the most interesting part - Manchuria/Manchukuo in WWII, told from the perspective of a Japanese girl whose family is settling the area as a part of Japan's colonial reach. I didn't know much about Manchuria before the book, and it inspired me to do some research while I was reading.
There were a few things that irritated me while reading though:
1) The description on the book jacket is completely misleading.
2) As I learned a little more outside of the book about the occupation of Manchuria and Japan's human rights violations in that occupation, the book felt a little off to me in terms of its framing of what was essentially colonization by force. This might be totally off because I still know very little about this region's history, but it seems that with settler colonialism it's important to portray how those who were displaced/colonized experienced the same events (in this case, different Chinese ethnic groups). The book felt like it was pitting the Japanese settlers as the victims without also recognizing how their settlements were victimizing others.
There were a few things that irritated me while reading though:
1) The description on the book jacket is completely misleading.
2) As I learned a little more outside of the book about the occupation of Manchuria and Japan's human rights violations in that occupation, the book felt a little off to me in terms of its framing of what was essentially colonization by force. This might be totally off because I still know very little about this region's history, but it seems that with settler colonialism it's important to portray how those who were displaced/colonized experienced the same events (in this case, different Chinese ethnic groups). The book felt like it was pitting the Japanese settlers as the victims without also recognizing how their settlements were victimizing others.
June 12, 2022
Always amazed at novels written in verse - so much packed into so few words.
October 20, 2019
Review Copy: Digital ARC via Netgalley.
This is a wonderfully told story of survival during a very difficult time. Like many people growing up in the U.S., history has been very internally focused. WWII information for me was usually very focused on how the U.S. or Europe was involved.
Japan had colonized many places including Manchuria. This story brings that time period to life. It also lets us see that people have been fleeing for their lives from many places for a very long time.
Natsu is persistent and smart. She learns a lot about herself and what she is capable of during this challenging time.
I'm partial to novels in verse and this is another one I really enjoyed. It's not an easy story to read. It's difficult to witness the suffering, but it's also a story of love and strength. I think it will be a way to open up peoples' ideas of the scope of the war. We call it a World War for a reason and so many more people and places were involved that I would have believed given what I learned in school.
I'd recommend this for use in classrooms, but also as reading for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, novels in verse, or survival stories.
This is a wonderfully told story of survival during a very difficult time. Like many people growing up in the U.S., history has been very internally focused. WWII information for me was usually very focused on how the U.S. or Europe was involved.
Japan had colonized many places including Manchuria. This story brings that time period to life. It also lets us see that people have been fleeing for their lives from many places for a very long time.
Natsu is persistent and smart. She learns a lot about herself and what she is capable of during this challenging time.
I'm partial to novels in verse and this is another one I really enjoyed. It's not an easy story to read. It's difficult to witness the suffering, but it's also a story of love and strength. I think it will be a way to open up peoples' ideas of the scope of the war. We call it a World War for a reason and so many more people and places were involved that I would have believed given what I learned in school.
I'd recommend this for use in classrooms, but also as reading for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, novels in verse, or survival stories.
December 12, 2019
Heartbreaking story, lovely verse.
November 6, 2024
"Under the Broken Sky" by Mariko Nagai is a poignant exploration of resilience, loss, and the enduring bonds of family set against the backdrop of a tumultuous world. Rated 4 out of 5, this novel captivates readers with its evocative prose and compelling narrative, drawing them into the life of a young girl named Yuki as she navigates the complexities of her existence following a catastrophic event. At the heart of Nagai's story is Yuki, whose journey symbolizes the struggles many face in the wake of disaster. The author masterfully depicts Yuki's emotional landscape—her fears, hopes, and the profound sense of longing for the stability of her past. As Yuki grapples with the changes in her life, Nagai illustrates the universal theme of loss, emphasizing how it shapes our identities and relationships. The nuanced portrayal of Yuki's character allows readers to connect deeply with her, fostering empathy and understanding for those who endure similar hardships in reality. One of the most compelling aspects of "Under the Broken Sky" is its ability to convey a sense of place and atmosphere. Nagai paints a vivid picture of the world Yuki inhabits, characterized by both beauty and devastation. The imagery within the narrative serves not only to enhance the reader’s experience but also to symbolize the duality of hope and despair. The titular "broken sky" becomes a powerful metaphor for the fractured lives of the characters, reflecting their inner turmoil while reminding the audience of the possibility of healing and renewal. Moreover, the strength of familial bonds is a recurring motif throughout the novel. Yuki's relationships with her family members—especially her younger sister—are central to her journey. The love, support, and sacrifices made within their family create a poignant counterpoint to the chaos surrounding them. Through these connections, Nagai reinforces the idea that while circumstances may be beyond our control, the relationships we nurture can provide comfort and strength in trying times. Nagai's writing style is both lyrical and accessible, allowing readers of all ages to engage with the narrative. The balance between evocative language and straightforward storytelling ensures that the emotional weight of Yuki's experience resonates without becoming overwhelming. This accessibility enhances the novel's impact, making it a suitable read for those looking to explore complex themes of resilience and recovery through a young protagonist's eyes. In conclusion, "Under the Broken Sky" by Mariko Nagai is a beautifully crafted tale that merits a 4 out of 5 rating. Through Yuki's journey of navigating loss, embracing hope, and cherishing familial bonds, Nagai invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with adversity and the strength that can be drawn from love and connection. This novel not only entertains but also serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty that can emerge even under the most fractured skies. Whether for its rich character development, thematic depth, or evocative prose, "Under the Broken Sky" stands as a significant contribution to contemporary literature, deserving of a place on every reader’s bookshelf.
March 18, 2023
🌥️🚞🏙️Under the Broken Sky🏙️🚞🌥️
3.25 Stars
Natsu's life was peaceful until her world was upended when her father was sent to war. Left alone with her sister Asa and her aunt, she is forced to flee their home as many soldiers from opposing sides of the war take her home. Japan is losing, and Natsu's joy is fading. Then begins a long journey to find a safe place. Only for Natsu to discover that during war... there is no safety as children and women are being sold to the Chinese, while others are dying alone. Natsu is desperate to keep her and her sister together, and her growing affection for her aunt might rebound and hurt her more than heal her. As she loses much that she loves and her life hangs precariously in the balance, Natsu questions whether she will be able to protect Asa in a home overridden by war.
Under the Broken Sky was a lovely and heartfelt tale written in verse by Mariko Nagai. It was emotional. It was profound. It was moving. In all honesty, I didn't find myself emotionally moved or affected. I could totally see how others might really be moved by this. It could have been the time I was reading this or just my opinions and perspective. I couldn't find myself getting completely invested in the story. The historical aspect was atmospheric, the writing was lyrical, and the storyline was well-done. I just couldn't find myself completely invested in the story.
The writing was sometimes submerged in emotions, captivating me, only to distance itself in the story, suspending me as a viewer watching the story rather than a shadow experiencing it. I feel as though the time skips might have played a part in this. The time skips were a bit jarring, particularly how they happened five times. I'm the sort of person who loves to know what's happening. For example, when I'm watching a K-drama and the screen fades to black and transitions to another scene, I'm like, "Well, what happened there?" I focused too much on what happened between the time skip and what was really happening.
The time skips did help to show Natsu's progression. Natsu goes through a lot, slowly changing. Something about her POV felt distant... almost distant to herself. I would say this was intentionally done in order to portray how the trauma was starting to desensitise her to her own emotions. There was one instance at the end of the story where Natsu ended up going back on a decision she made. While it totally made sense (her decision), the way she screamed and insulted the other woman felt... immature and unneeded. This story did focus on the tension between the Japanese and Chinese people. There was one scene where I felt as though Natsu had heavy prejudices about a boy because he was Chinese that left me feeling perturbed.
In conclusion, this was a nice story written in verse that was a quick read.
☑️PLOT
🆗CHARACTERS
3.25 Stars
Natsu's life was peaceful until her world was upended when her father was sent to war. Left alone with her sister Asa and her aunt, she is forced to flee their home as many soldiers from opposing sides of the war take her home. Japan is losing, and Natsu's joy is fading. Then begins a long journey to find a safe place. Only for Natsu to discover that during war... there is no safety as children and women are being sold to the Chinese, while others are dying alone. Natsu is desperate to keep her and her sister together, and her growing affection for her aunt might rebound and hurt her more than heal her. As she loses much that she loves and her life hangs precariously in the balance, Natsu questions whether she will be able to protect Asa in a home overridden by war.
Under the Broken Sky was a lovely and heartfelt tale written in verse by Mariko Nagai. It was emotional. It was profound. It was moving. In all honesty, I didn't find myself emotionally moved or affected. I could totally see how others might really be moved by this. It could have been the time I was reading this or just my opinions and perspective. I couldn't find myself getting completely invested in the story. The historical aspect was atmospheric, the writing was lyrical, and the storyline was well-done. I just couldn't find myself completely invested in the story.
The writing was sometimes submerged in emotions, captivating me, only to distance itself in the story, suspending me as a viewer watching the story rather than a shadow experiencing it. I feel as though the time skips might have played a part in this. The time skips were a bit jarring, particularly how they happened five times. I'm the sort of person who loves to know what's happening. For example, when I'm watching a K-drama and the screen fades to black and transitions to another scene, I'm like, "Well, what happened there?" I focused too much on what happened between the time skip and what was really happening.
The time skips did help to show Natsu's progression. Natsu goes through a lot, slowly changing. Something about her POV felt distant... almost distant to herself. I would say this was intentionally done in order to portray how the trauma was starting to desensitise her to her own emotions. There was one instance at the end of the story where Natsu ended up going back on a decision she made. While it totally made sense (her decision), the way she screamed and insulted the other woman felt... immature and unneeded. This story did focus on the tension between the Japanese and Chinese people. There was one scene where I felt as though Natsu had heavy prejudices about a boy because he was Chinese that left me feeling perturbed.
In conclusion, this was a nice story written in verse that was a quick read.
☑️PLOT
🆗CHARACTERS
February 13, 2025
A really tragic and insightful look into the lives of civilians during World War II! I was not aware of this part of history before reading this book and I feel like I learned a lot from it and broadened my perspective of these events. I appreciate how much care and nuance went into this story - I think it really shows, and definitely strengthened its core message of empathy towards refugees.
In huge conflicts like the world wars I feel that we often forget to think of individual civilians and how they are impacted by these events, so I'm glad this book highlighted that. Refugees are also often dehumanized and/or made into a scapegoat by Western countries, so their sympathetic portrayal here also felt rather timely, for better or for worse.
In terms of the story itself, I appreciate how the author didn't gloss over some of the more violent and gritty aspects of this experience, even for her middle-grade audience. The suffering Natsu and Asa were forced to endure emphasized their bond in the face of adversity as well as the reality of the conditions people at this time went through. The extent to which their worldview was shaped by the propaganda they grew up with was also a really interesting and effective detail. Their open hatred towards others and acceptance of violence at such a young age was uncomfortable to watch but still understandable, given their circumstances.
I also wasn't expecting this novel to be written in verse, but I found I really enjoyed that aspect as well. It was a really refreshing way to present the story and made it stand out to me more.
My one critique of this book would have to be the misleading synopsis, which seems to indicate that the central conflict of the story is supposed to be Natsu giving up Asa and trying to get her back. However, in the actual novel, this doesn't happen until the last fifty pages or so, and is introduced and then resolved quickly after. I was just a little disappointed in that regard because I found that plotline really compelling with a lot of potential for character development for both Natsu and Asa. I wish this had been made the actual focus of the story instead, or at least was introduced a lot sooner, since in my understanding Asa wasn't separated from Natsu very long either.
I still enjoyed this book, though, and appreciate it a lot for what it set out to do. I found it very powerful and effective in its messaging and definitely think it deserves more readers, now more than ever.
In huge conflicts like the world wars I feel that we often forget to think of individual civilians and how they are impacted by these events, so I'm glad this book highlighted that. Refugees are also often dehumanized and/or made into a scapegoat by Western countries, so their sympathetic portrayal here also felt rather timely, for better or for worse.
In terms of the story itself, I appreciate how the author didn't gloss over some of the more violent and gritty aspects of this experience, even for her middle-grade audience. The suffering Natsu and Asa were forced to endure emphasized their bond in the face of adversity as well as the reality of the conditions people at this time went through. The extent to which their worldview was shaped by the propaganda they grew up with was also a really interesting and effective detail. Their open hatred towards others and acceptance of violence at such a young age was uncomfortable to watch but still understandable, given their circumstances.
I also wasn't expecting this novel to be written in verse, but I found I really enjoyed that aspect as well. It was a really refreshing way to present the story and made it stand out to me more.
My one critique of this book would have to be the misleading synopsis, which seems to indicate that the central conflict of the story is supposed to be Natsu giving up Asa and trying to get her back. However, in the actual novel, this doesn't happen until the last fifty pages or so, and is introduced and then resolved quickly after. I was just a little disappointed in that regard because I found that plotline really compelling with a lot of potential for character development for both Natsu and Asa. I wish this had been made the actual focus of the story instead, or at least was introduced a lot sooner, since in my understanding Asa wasn't separated from Natsu very long either.
I still enjoyed this book, though, and appreciate it a lot for what it set out to do. I found it very powerful and effective in its messaging and definitely think it deserves more readers, now more than ever.
October 2, 2019
Under the Broken Sky
by Mariko Nagai
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Children's Fiction
Pub Date 15 Oct 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Under the Broken Sky through Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. (BYR):
This beautifully told novel in verse tells us of twelve year old Natsu and the quiet farm life of her family in Manchuria near the Soviet Border, but when her parents are recruited into the Japanese Army Natsu and her little sister Cricket are left Orphaned and destitute.
In an act of desperation and in hopes of keeping Cricket Alive Natsu sells her sister to a Soviet Family but following the 1945 Soviet Occupation Natsu will do whatever she can to get her little sister back.
Natsu’s Story is one of unthinkable, hunger, of starvation, of impossible decisions, of loosing everything to war, to loss, to their enemies.
This story deals with loss, it deals with death, and children forced to grow up long before they should. It speaks of kids having to carry guns to school, simply to keep themselves safe, and it speaks of having to function on little or nothing to eat. It speaks of dead children, and having to take clothes off the bodies, growing numb to it all.
Natsu is forced to watch helpless as her Auntie, the one adult taking care of her, grows sick and dies.
I would recommend Under the Broken Sky to anyone who wants a realistic portrayal of what a Japanese child went through during World War 2!
I give Under the Broken Sky five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
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