Under the Broken Sky [Paperback]

Necessary for all of humankind,Under the Broken Skyis a breathtaking work of literature. Booklist,starred review

A beautifully told middle-grade novel-in-verse about a Japanese orphans experience in occupied rural Manchuria during World War II.

Twelve-year-old Natsu and her family live a quiet farm life in Manchuria, near the border of the Soviet Union. But the life theyve known begins to unravel when her father is recruited to the Japanese army, and Natsu and her little sister, Cricket, are left orphaned and destitute.

In a desperate move to keep her sister alive, Natsu sells Cricket to a Russian family following the 1945 Soviet occupation. The journey to redemption for Natsu's broken family is rife with struggles, but Natsu is tenacious and will stop at nothing to get her little sister back.

Literary and historically insightful, this is one of the great untold stories of WWII. Much like the Newbery Honor bookInside Out and Back Againby Thanhha Lai, Mariko Nagai'sUnder the Broken Skyis powerful, poignant, and ultimately hopeful.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Mariko Nagaiis the author ofUnder the Broken SkyandDust of Edenas well as several books of poetry and fiction for adults. She has received the Pushcart Prize in both poetry and fiction, as well as many other accolades. She is an associate professor of creative writing and Japanese literature at Temple University, Japan Campus, in Tokyo, where she is also the director of research.

A NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
An ILA Notable Book for a Global Society
A Junior Library Guild Selection
An NCTE Notable Verse Novel
A Maine Student Book Award Nominee

Under the Broken Skyis a story of hope and resilience during one of history's tragic forced migrations. Mariko's beautiful free verse reveals the emotional impact on a child and her family.  Mal#k