Hiroshima, No Pika by Toshi Maruki

This is a book written for middle-upper elementary readers about the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Some consider this book too controversial for children because of the horrific discriptions and images in the story. Although the story certainly is uncomfortable and disturbing, it is the truth about a real event that happened through the eyes of a young girl. It is not excessively grim, it is simply a story of what this girl saw.
A great thing about this book is that it is incredibly powerful without being overly sentimental. The simple retelling of events and the hauntingly beautiful illustrations are so effective that the reader can not only infer the intense feelings of the characters but actually feel some of them themselves. The story being told through the eyes of a child is especially powerful because of the innocent non-judgemental power of her perspective.
It is very important that students read and discuss this book and other books like it. Although the story is disturbing and may strongly affect readers it is important that students understand that things like this can and do happen. Being able to feel the horrible power of the the consequences of using weapons like the atomic bomb is necessary for people to understand why they must stop this from happening in the future.