Battle of the Coral Sea

by G.C. Skipper

Details the 1942 battle between the Japanese and the Americans which stopped a major invasion of the Pacific.

45 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 1981

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for children (it's probably about a 2nd or 3rd grade level, I would estimate), but it does have the basic story of the battle of the Coral Sea, which set the stage for Midway and Guadalcanal. It was, to loosely quote Winston Churchill’s comment about the campaign in North Africa which began later that year, “not the end, not the beginning, but it was the end of the beginning” in which the Japanese were dominant in every battle they fought. Although it can be argued that they won the Battle of the Coral Sea, it was the first time they were turned back from their aims – which were the landing on Tulagi and taking Port Moresby.

The reading level is pretty basic, but it was well-told for young people, and I wanted to read something for the 75th anniversary (this month) of the battle. I recommend this for anyone who wants a basic account of the battle.