Resources Unit 9: Surviving the Attack on Pearl Harbor - 1941

I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 By Lauren Tarshis - This is the main book for the unit.  It is required to complete the unit.  

Perspectives - The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Katherine Krieg - This book provides details of the attack from various points of view – a US solider, a Japanese commander and a Hawaiian worker near the attack.  This is an excellent book for a compare/contrast activity and discussion.  Appropriate for 4^th-8^th grades. 

Surviving Pearl Harbor – Real Life Tales of Survival and Resilience by Kira Freed – An excellent book with real, first-hand accounts of the event from people who survived.  This book is thin, but filled with impactful information.  Suggested 4^th-8^th grade.

Attack on Pearl Harbor – The True Story of the Day American Entered World War II by Shelley Tanaka – A very good book that is engaging with both it’s images and text..  Colorful maps and diagrams.  Suggested for 5^th grade and up.

Voices of Pearl Harbor by Sherry Garland – I really like this book.  It is told in a story format – but each short story is like a short poem.  The images are fantastic.  There is a very detailed historical note in the back of the book.  Such a good reminder of how war hurts all those involved.  Suggested for 4^th-8^th grades.

Cornerstones of Freedom - The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Tom McGowen - This is a good book.  It has information that some of the other books mentioned, do not have.  An excellent timeline is in the back of the book.  Suggested for 4^th grade and up.

Behind Barbed Wire The Story of Japanese-American Internment during World War II by Lila Perl – This is a very good book about a subject that is rarely discussed - includes excerpts from diaries, newspaper articles and letters. Suggested for 5^th grade and older. 

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Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas – An excellent story about a Japanese girl born in America suffering under discrimination during a turbulent time.  Suggested for 5^th-8^th grade – but would make a good read aloud for younger students. 

A Diamond in the Desert by Kathryn Fitzmaurice – A very good historical fiction novel about a boy, baseball and time spent in a Japanese internment camp.  Suggested for 5^th grade and older, but would make a great read aloud for younger students.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor – An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur – Everyone likes a “choose your own path” style of book.  Everything in this book happened to real people – only the characters are fictional.  Suggested for 3^rd-5^th grade.

Incommunicado by Randall Platt – A historical fiction novel about life post the attack on Pearl Harbor, as a person with Japanese heritage.  Suggested for 4^th-8^th grade.

Heroes Don’t Run – A Novel of the Pacific War by Harry Mazer – The first in a three book series.  A boy starts his difficult and painful journey during a time of war. He learns what it means to be a Hero.   Suggested for grades 5 and up.

A Boy No More – The Riveting sequel to A Boy at War by Harry Mazer – The engaging historical fiction story continues to take us on a journey following Adam during this time of war. Suggested for grades 5 and up.

A Boy at War – A Novel of Pearl Harbor by Harry Mazer – This is the third and final book in this series – an excellent historical fiction series for grades 5 and older.

Ted and Me – A Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman – A fun historical fiction book.  Will he change history or will history change him?  Suggested for 3^rd-6^th grade.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor – Scholastic by Peter Benoit – I really like this book.  It has a lot of good information about the attack, the people, and post attack.  Diagrams, maps and timelines are clear and easy to read.  Suggested for 3^rd-7^th grades.

It’s My State – Hawaii the Aloha State by Steven Otfinoski, Ann Graham Gains and Jacqueline Laks Gorman – I really like this book!  This book teaches you about the history, people, government, geography, industries and more.  Includes map skills and craft project.  Suggested for 3^rd-6^th grades.

Hawaii Celebrate the States by Jake Goldberg and Joyce Hart – This is a good book with a great deal of information about Hawaii’s past Kings and Queens.  Other topics include geography, people, government, economy, landmarks, and more.  Suggested for 4^th grade and older.

National Geographic Countries of the World – Japan by Charles Phillips – This is a good book, very informative with excellent photos and maps.  A very good book to learn more about Japan.  Topics include – geography, nature, history, people and culture, government and economy.  Suggested for 5^th grade and older. 

Countries and Cultures – Japan by Tracey Boraas – A good book full of information – topics include – Japan facts, land climate and wildlife, history and government, economy, people, culture and daily life.  Maps and recipes are also included.  This book is targeted at a slightly younger audience – suggested for 3^rd-5^th grade.

Japanese Traditions by Setsu Broderick and Willamarie Moore – This is a very cute book that explains in great, but entertaining detail the different customs and traditions of the Japanese culture.  Suggested for 1^st-4^th grades.

One Thousand Paper Cranes by Takayuki Ishii – An inspirational story about a young girl who died 10 years after the bombing of Atomic Bomb Disease.  Suggested for 7^th grade and older.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr – An astounding book, unforgettable and inspirational.  Suggested for 2^nd-6^th grade.

Hiroshima by Laurence Yep – A short novella that tells of the day the bomb dropped and its aftermath.  Suggested for 3^rd-7^th grade.

Hiroshima The Story of the First Atom Bomb by Clive A. Lawton – An excellent book.  Stunning photos, excellent information and historical accounts.  Suggested for 4^th grade and older.  

Remember Their Stories – Pearl Harbor by Thomas B. Allen – I really like this book.  The stories are actual accounts by various witnesses of the events.  Suggested for 5^th grade and older.

Pearl Harbor – The US Enters World War II by Steve Dougherty – An excellent Scholastic book with great information, captivating photos and excellent maps and diagrams.  Suggested for 4^th-6^th grades.

Exploring Countries – Japan by Colleen Sexton – This is a very good book for 2^nd-4^th grade students.  Easy to read, good information, great pictures and engaging.

Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban – An excellent historical fiction book that pulls at your emotions.  An great read for children in 4^th-7^th grades.

Japan A Benjamin Blog and His Inquisitive Dog Guide by Anita Ganeri – I really like this book for a younger audience.  The pictures are excellent, the type is large.  The book has a lot of good, general information without being overwhelming.  Suggested for 1^st-3^rd grades. 

Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff – From the publisher – “Set in a small Oregon town just after World War II, this is the powerful tale of a community shattered by its reaction to two young newcomers, Aki and Shazam. Told from 21 different points of view, "Bat 6" explores the subject of Japanese-American racial prejudice after the war.”  This is an excellent book for 5^th-7^th graders.

Dust of Eden by Mariko Nagi – This is a beautifully written book – much of it written in various forms of free verse.  Although this is a historical fiction book – I have put it here as it is not a typical historical fiction book.  This is certainly one of my favorites.  Suggested for 4^th-8^th grades.

The Atom Bomb – Creating and Exploding the First Nuclear Weapon by Tamra Orr – This book teaches about history and the first atom bomb – the people, the science – how we got to a place of needing to create such a thing.  A good book for discussion.  Suggested for 4^th grade and older.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki by Lynn Peppas – I really like this book.  It is clear and easy to read, good diagrams and excellent photos.  Topics are well organized and include, World War II, the President’s reaction, the consequences of the bombs – both short and long term.  Suggested for 4^th-8^th grade.

Life in a Japanese American Internment Camp by Diane Yancey – I really like this book!  It is an excellent resource to teach from.  There are many facts, diagrams, charts, an excellent index to look up so much information!  Suggested for 4^th-8^th grades.

Imprisoned in Paradise by Priscilla Wegars – This book is amazing.  It is certainly one to teach from or for a middle schooler or high schooler to use for research purposes.  This book includes notes taken from camp Kooskia and a list of all of the men there, including their names, birthdates, occupations and more.   

Landmark Supreme Court Cases Korematsu vs The United States by Karen Latchana Kenney – I found the book to be very interesting.  The book itself is easy to read, even though it is filled with information.  Additional features include timeline of events and rulings, briefs and source notes.  Suggested for 7^th grade and older.

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki – Such a good book!!  A young boy describes what it was like to move to an internment camp.  He then discovers baseball and uses his anger re the situation his family is in to help him become a better ball player.  Suggested for 1^st-4^th grades.

Life as a Child in a Japanese Internment Camp by Laura L. Sullivan – This book is short and easy to read with large print.  The chapters are short and the photos are taken from a collection of historic images.  Suggested for 2^nd-4^th grades.

Families of Japan – Appropriate for all ages. Runs 30 min.

Coloring Book – I really like the Dover Historical Coloring books – They have a great variety to choose from.

Paper Airplane Kits - 

Model Plane Kits - 

Submarine Model - 

Oragami - 

Submarine Puzzle -