Pearl Harbor

School Library Journal

Gr 7-9 This book is divided into two sectionsone that describes the events of December 7, 1941, and one that places the attack on Pearl Harbor in historical perspective. The first part is clear and well written. With the help of maps and charts, Harris describes the planning and execution of the Japanese attack on our bases. Most readers will be caught up in the fear and surprise Americans felt at the attack and get a strong sense of the destruction caused by the attack. Black-and-white photos taken at the time of the attack add to readers' understanding. Unfortunately, the second part of the book does not match the quality of the first because of the brevity of the explanations provided. It is virtually impossible to explain Japan's historical need for territory, chronicle the rise of fascism, and describe the events of the war in the Pacific in 25 pages, most of which contain photos. Harris has condensed and simplified information to the point that it will be confusing to those who don't have background knowledge of the era. Many students will be lost in a sea of names and faces that appear briefly and are never heard from again. A better choice is Shapiro's Pearl Harbor (Watts, 1984), which is longer and more detailed, providing more information for students. Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, Mo.