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Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story

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Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story
By Caren Barzelay Stelson
Carolrhoda Books, 2016. Biography, 144 p.

Sachiko Yasui was six years old when her hometown of Nagasaki, Japan, was hit by an atomic bomb. The bombing ended World War II. But unspeakable horror continued to affect hundreds of thousands of people for a lifetime. Sachiko not only experienced the immediate death of loved ones and the destruction of her home, but also the later onset of radiation poisoning and cancers that eventually killed most of her family. Furthermore, there was prejudice against those who had been affected by the bombing, and General MacArthur's occupation of Japan and the censorship that he initiated prevented the Japanese from speaking about what had occurred. Sachiko herself did not choose to speak out about her experiences until fairly recently. Her story is one of destruction and horror, but also one of peace, hope, and resilience.

This is a thorough, harrowing account of a devastating historical event and its long, complicated aftermath. The book itself is beautifully paced, interspersed with two-page essays giving context to the political and social issues surrounding this moment. Sachiko would be a valuable biography for older classrooms.
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