Pearl Harbor (History Smashers Series)

by Kate Messner, Dylan Meconis (Illustrator)

Overview

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the infamous Pearl Harbor attack with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a completely unpredictable attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Right? Well, that's not quite the real deal. Some military experts had suggested that Pearl Harbor was a likely target. There were other warning signs, too, but nobody paid much attention. From the first wave of the Japanese bombers to the United States' internment of thousands of Japanese Americans, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known truths behind the story of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.

Don't miss History Smashers: The Mayflower and Women's Right to Vote

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593120392
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	01/05/2021
Series:	History Smashers Series , #3
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Lexile:	1000L (what's this?)
File size:	128 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

KATE MESSNER is passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books, like Over and Under the Snow; novels, like Breakout and Chirp; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series, and the popular Ranger in Time chapter books, and works of nonfiction with a focus on nature and history. Before becoming a full time writer, Kate was a TV journalist and National Board certified middle school English teacher. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family and is trying to summit all 46 Adirondack High Peaks in between book deadlines. Visit katemessner.com and Facebook: Kate Messner for more information and follow her on Twitter @katemessner.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the History Smashers series:

"Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The book’s format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers." —The New York Times Book Review 

"Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts." —Booklist

“Messner and Meconis provide a timely perspective on an important part of American history.” —School Library Journal

"A history book for middle-graders that should be on everyone's (child and adult) to-read list." —Shelf Awareness

"Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!" —Candace Fleming, award-wining author

"Informative and fun, eye-opening and entertaining. I wish I could have read History Smashers when I was in elementary school. I would have devoured them and developed a big appetite for even more of this sort of truth-telling." —Chris Barton, award-winning author

From the Publisher

11/01/2020

Gr 4–7—Messner provides another fast-paced "History Smashers" title that recounts the story of Pearl Harbor. She describes the events that led up to the military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, the impact of the attack, and the responses of the United States and the rest of the world. Many people know the U.S. entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor; Messner goes beyond common knowledge. The text details the origins of the dissent between Japan and the U.S. Page-turning prose, helpful sidebars that may serve as launching points for further research, and realistic illustrations of American and Japanese leaders enhance the narrative. Back matter contains resources for additional learning, including websites, museums, books, and a time line. Primary sources are used well to give further context for the time line. VERDICT Messner's latest "History Smashers" title is a helpful resource for young researchers.—Emily Van Weerdhuizen, Sioux Center P.L., IA

School Library Journal

2020-08-28
History is rarely clean cut.

The third book in the History Smashers series offers readers more truths about an important event in history, weeding out tall tales they may inadvertently have absorbed through popular culture. In this installment, Messner challenges the belief that the attack on Pearl Harbor came out of nowhere. The author describes how Japan opened up to the outside world following an 1853 confrontation with Commodore Perry of the U.S. Navy, eventually militarizing and searching for foreign conquests. Next, she shows how, after years of colonialism, the U.S. had become largely isolationist, wary of entanglement in foreign countries and conflicts. Then, the background to the Second World War on both the European and Asian fronts is set, and the story of the attack on Pearl Harbor unfolds, shown to have occurred after a series of miscommunications and mistaken assumptions. The subsequent imprisonment of Japanese Americans is addressed, highlighting injustices perpetrated because of racism and fear. Presenting history through a blend of engaging narrative, graphics, black-and-white illustrations, and photos, Messner explains complex issues in a way that is accessible to young readers. Occasional text boxes provide helpful background information, such as about the history of Hawaii. Wartime contributions by African Americans, Native Americans, and Japanese Americans are described.

An intriguing read that will encourage children to question simplistic historical narratives. (timeline, author’s note, bibliography, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews