Chester Nimitz and the Sea

Gr 2–5—Although Nimitz grew up far from the ocean in Fredricksburg, Texas, he heard tales of the sea from his sailor grandfather. Following his 1905 graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, the younger Nimitz rose through the ranks, commanding cruisers and destroyers. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt appointed him commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, charged with stopping enemy attacks. Sutcliffe devotes much of her account to plans for and execution of the pivotal Battle of Midway Island, which seriously weakened the Japanese Navy. Kodera's illustrations of airplanes and naval vessels plus photos of the battle capture the intensity of the engagement. Additional photos document the Japanese surrender to end the war. Although somewhat narrowly focused, the book can serve as a resource for reports on World War II and will appeal to readers interested in military history.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato