About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to bridge the gap between their own grief and the complicated, sometimes uncomfortable history of their family. It is an ideal choice for a teen who is mourning a parent while simultaneously discovering that the person they lost had a hidden past. The story follows Evan, who finds a mysterious World War II diary belonging to a Japanese soldier after his father's sudden death. As he reads about the soldier's survival on a Pacific island alongside an American, he uncovers secrets about his own grandfather that challenge his understanding of right and wrong. This is a sophisticated, haunting work that explores forgiveness and the weight of legacy. It is best suited for older teens due to its mature themes of war, death, and moral ambiguity.
