FICTION

Hotaka

by John HEFFERNAN
224p. Allen & Unwin. Sept. 2017. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781760113766.
COPY ISBN
Gr 5–7—In this riveting historical fiction novel, Heffernan offers insight into the devastating tsunami that occurred in Japan in March 2011 and forever altered the people of the coastal town Omori-Wan. The story is told through the eyes of Hotaka, who is in the auditorium of his school when the earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit. He and his best friend, Takeshi, try to swim to safety, but only Hotaka survives. He must now rebuild his life after living through a horrible, traumatic event. Three years later, Hotaka is still grieving the loss of his friend. His trauma is compounded by the fact that thousands of Japanese survivors are still not living in adequate housing. His friend Sakura enlightens him that the Japanese government is spending money on a seawall instead of housing for the people.
VERDICT A well-written book that will educate middle school readers about this catastrophic natural disaster and its long-term consequences.
Reviewed by Margaret Capobianco, Seaford Library, NY , Sep 01, 2017

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