The Battle of Iwo Jima: Turning the Tide of War in the Pacific

by Steven Otfinoski

Overview

Vivid storytelling brings World War II history to life and place readers in the shoes of the people who experienced one of the most pivotal battles in the Pacific War. On February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of tiny Iwo Jima. Facing rugged terrain and a deeply entrenched enemy, they embarked on a fierce, five-week battle to take the island and its airfields from the Imperial Japanese Army. Suspenseful, dramatic events unfold in chronological, interwoven stories from the different perspectives of people who experienced the battle while it was happening. Narratives intertwine to create a breathless, "What's Next?" kind of read. Students gain a new perspective on historical figures as they learn about real people struggling to decide how best to act in a given moment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781543572582
Publisher:	Capstone Press
Publication date:	08/01/2019
Series:	Tangled History Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Steven Otfinoski has written more than 150 books for young readers. Three of his nonfiction books have been chosen Books for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library. Steve is also a playwright and has his own theater company that brings one-person plays about American history to schools. Steve lives in Connecticut with his wife, who is a teacher. They have two children, two dogs, and a cat.

Table of Contents

Foreword 4

1 "I Pray for a Heroic Fight" 8

2 "Be Ready to Go in Five Minutes" 18

3 "I Will Try as Hard as I Can to Live" 34

4 "The Flag's Up!" 44

5 "I'm Not Going Back" 68

6 "Even the Gods Would Weep" 80

Epilogue 98

Timeline 106

Glossary 108

Critical Thinking Questions 109

Internet Sites 110

Further Reading 110

Selected Bibliography 111

Index 112

About the Author 112

Interviews

1. Readers gain an intimate portrait of many of the U.S. and Japanese soldiers who fought in one of bloodiest battles of World War II’s Pacific War. 2. Students who are interested in history will be mesmerized by little known details leading up to, during, and after the battle. 3. A focus on soldiers on both sides of the conflict gives students different perspectives on the war and the battlefield experience. 4. The large cast of characters helps students see historical figures as real people struggling to survive during fierce combat.