Up from the Sea

December 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-A thoughtful exploration of the March 2011 tsunami in Japan and its aftermath. The tsunami destroyed more than just buildings during its rampage of the coastal cities of Japan; it destroyed the lives of many in the process. Although a work of fiction, this well-researched novel will place readers within the turmoil of that event and make them think about the people and families who experience the devastation of natural and man-made disasters every day. With an accurate background and written entirely in free verse, Lowitz's work offers a short but poignant view into the life of Kai, a biracial Japanese teen who loses everything and everyone in the storm. While his village struggles to rebuild, Kai receives the opportunity to visit New York to meet other kids who experienced similar life-changing pain in the September 11 tragedy. It is there that Kai finally learns the importance of trying hard and growing up despite overwhelming grief. The fast-paced writing progresses the plot perfectly to fit with the subject. The narration exudes emotion, and teens will connect with Kai as he faces the usual trials of growing up while living through such a difficult time. The open and honest talk about death may spark conversation among readers. Fans of Ellen Hopkins's work will enjoy the immediacy of this novel-in-verse. VERDICT A well-written first purchase for teen collections.-DeHanza Kwong, Central Piedmont Community College, NC

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2015
Grades 6-9 The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami hit the Tohoku region in March 2011, disrupting life for 17-year-old Kai and his community. The child of an American father long departed and a Japanese mother and grandparents, all lost in the tsunami, biracial Kai is left to both grieve and persevere. Lowitz bases her novel in verse on true events, including a soccer ball washing up from a Hawaiian beach and the teen who rallies a soccer team to boost his town's spirit. The ravaging storm is emphasized by Lowitz's use of concrete poetry with first lines serving as passage titles. Told in the four seasons of a year, the story follows as Kai makes a transformative trip to New York in September, sharing experiences of the tsunami with survivors of 9/11 on the occasion of its 10-year anniversary. Back matter includes Lowitz's description of living through the tsunami and the aftermath. Readers who appreciate the power of sports, friendship, and family to heal and to restore will engage with this well-paced emotional journey.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)