Under the Broken Sky
Under the Broken Sky by Mariko Nagai is a middle-grade novel-in-verse published by Square Fish on February 21, 2023. This 304-page book tells the poignant story of twelve-year-old Natsu, a Japanese orphan navigating the challenges of occupied rural Manchuria during World War II. As her family’s quiet farm life is disrupted by her father’s recruitment into the Japanese army, Natsu and her younger sister, Cricket, face dire circumstances that lead to a heartbreaking decision.
Readers will find a narrative that explores themes of resilience and the impact of war on families. Natsu’s journey to reclaim her sister after selling her to a Russian family highlights the struggles and sacrifices made in desperate times. The book offers a literary and historical perspective on a lesser-known aspect of WWII, making it a significant addition to juvenile fiction that addresses military and wartime experiences in Asia.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Necessary for all of humankind, Under the Broken Sky is a breathtaking work of literature.”—Booklist, starred review
A beautifully told middle-grade novel-in-verse about a Japanese orphan’s experience in occupied rural Manchuria during World War II.
Twelve-year-old Natsu and her family live a quiet farm life in Manchuria, near the border of the Soviet Union. But the life they’ve known begins to unravel when her father is recruited to the Japanese army, and Natsu and her little sister, Cricket, are left orphaned and destitute.
In a desperate move to keep her sister alive, Natsu sells Cricket to a Russian family following the 1945 Soviet occupation. The journey to redemption for Natsu’s broken family is rife with struggles, but Natsu is tenacious and will stop at nothing to get her little sister back.
Literary and historically insightful, this is one of the great untold stories of WWII. Much like the Newbery Honor book Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, Mariko Nagai’s Under the Broken Sky is powerful, poignant, and ultimately hopeful.
Christy Ottaviano Books
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