One of the really great historical novels for young people that I've read in the last few years is The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages. (Which BTW, won the coveted Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction.
This is the story of 10 year old Dewey whose scientist father works at Los Alamos, NM on some highly secret mission.
But when I got to the end, I dissolved.
The following is one quick, but powerful quote from the Swarm of Beasts review of Green Glass Sea.
“And finally, you just have to be floored with fear and trembling at the idea that human beings can obliterate each other on such a massive scale.” (Swarm of Beasts YA Blogger)
And that, folks is precisely how I felt about it too.
And then there is the sequel which I have yet to read. Amanda at A Patchwork of Books says I should. Yes, yes. I want to!
Coming, dear Librarian.
More to read. :) I just went on a re-reading binge of one of my favorite authors when I was young--going through a bunch of Phyllis A. Whitney's teen mysteries, and one of them--Secret of the Samurai Sword--deals with some of the emotional after-effects of this. (Which, of course, I don't remember from my teen reading...narrow-focused, much?!) I'm pretty sure Whitney was born and grew up in Japan, in the early 1900s--and I kept thinking about what it must have been like for her to watch this happen, then write about feelings from it in the 60s.
ReplyDeleteI used to read Whitney too, although the titles escape me. I didn't know this about her (her life in Japan). Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI will do some exploring on the topic. Maybe even reread a book or two. (Secret of the Samurai Sword, perhaps) But then, how will I get around to all the other titles on my list?
It's been a few years since I read this book. It's one of those that should receive more attention. I'm glad you've reminded us.
ReplyDeleteHi Joan, I almost want to read it again myself. And I definitely want to read the sequel. Tried to get it at the library today and they don't have it. I should just buy both of them!
ReplyDeleteGreen Glass Sea is on my "to read" list. So many good books to devour!
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