Life of Heritage
  • The Home Page
  • The Writer
  • The Books
  • The Blog
  • The Subscription
  • The Archives
  • The Order Form
  • The Privacy Policy
  • The Updates

Book Review || The Last Cherry Blossom

7/20/2020

 
Hello everyone! I finally have a book review for you! And it’s from my summer reading list! Unfortunately, this will not be a recommendation. Read on to find out why…
Picture
The Last Cherry Blossom
by Kathleen Burkinshaw
(2019)
1 Star

About the Book||

Yuriko was happy growing up in Hiroshima when it was just her and Papa. But her aunt Kimiko and her cousin Genji are living with them now, and the family is only getting bigger with talk of a double marriage! And while things are changing at home, the world beyond their doors is even more unpredictable. World War II is coming to an end, and since the Japanese newspapers don’t report lost battles, the Japanese people are not entirely certain of where Japan stands. Yuriko is used to the sirens and the air-raid drills, but things start to feel more real when the neighbors who have left to fight stop coming home. When the bombs hit Hiroshima, it’s through Yuriko’s twelve-year-old eyes that we witness the devastation and horror.

This is a story that offers young readers insight into how children lived during the war, while also introducing them to Japanese culture. Based loosely on author Kathleen Burkinshaw’s mother’s firsthand experience surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, The Last Cherry Blossom hopes to warn readers of the immense damage nuclear war can bring, while reminding them that the “enemy” in any war is often not so different from ourselves.

My Review ||

We all know bad things happen in life. It’s a sad reality. Not everyone grows up in a good family or lives under the same circumstances. It’s important that we understand that and give sympathy and help when we can.

But we also shouldn’t discuss such situations with middle-grade readers. Do most middle graders out in the world know about such things or experience them? Yes, many do. But should they have to read about it too? Absolutely not. This book is based on the true story of the author’s mother. Her birth situation was immoral, and that’s not her fault. But she didn’t have to share those details with 8-14-year-olds. I was shocked and appalled! Call me what you like, but I believe children should be given as much morally innocent reading material as we can provide them! Yes, many know about such things, but that doesn’t mean they have to read about it! I know about a lot of sin that the world has to offer, but I don’t want to read about it!

If this book had been written as a biography or for an older audience in a more “This is wrong, don’t make this mistake” way, I would have finished the book. But it wasn’t. It was an entertaining read for children.

The main character’s attitude was annoying through the majority of the book so that rather than feeling sorry for her, I wanted her to suck it up and get on with her life. I don’t think that’s what the author was going for. And it condoned keeping secrets from parents, disobeying them and having crushes way too young.

And while I loved learning more about Japanese culture, she littered the story with a plethora of  facts about pagan religion and didn’t even attempt to say it was wrong. In short, she was saying devil worship was okay. Maybe a little scary at times, but okay and right to do. Disgusting!

The only thing that I liked about this book was the fact that even though it was WWII Japan, there was no question that the allies were right. Doubt in the emperor was discussed, and while they follow the rules, it vividly showed the plight of the Japanese people and the cruelty of their government. That is what garnered it 1 star.

In short, don’t waste your time. This book isn’t worth it.

Hope to have a more positive review for you next time!
Have a Blessed Week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Ryana Lynn

    Christian. American. Southern. Author.

    Subscribe for Blog Updates and a Free Short Story!

    Click Here!
    Picture


    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All
    9/11 War On Terror
    America
    A Song Of Home
    Battle
    Behind The Scenes
    Book Release
    Book Review
    Books
    Characters
    Christmas
    Civil War
    Civil War/ Revolution
    Coffee Shop Christmas
    Confederacy
    Cover Reveal
    Devotion
    Fact Or Fiction?
    FBN Radio
    First Responders
    For Young Ladies
    Fun Facts
    Game Review
    Guest Post
    Heritage
    Heroes
    Homeschool!
    Lifestyle
    Military
    Missions Spotlight
    Music
    Myths
    Natty's Warriors
    Nicknames
    Our Heritage To Save
    Plot
    Pro Life
    Reading List
    Revolution
    Robert E Lee
    Secession
    Short Story
    Soldier Life
    Stonewall Jackson
    Story Excerpt
    Story Prompt
    Tags
    The Battle For Heritage Series
    The Land Of Cotton
    The-land-of-cotton
    The Mason Family
    Themes
    The Rivers Of Sorrow
    Title Reveal
    To Save A Life
    Union
    Unsung Heroes
    Work In Progress
    Wrap Up
    Writing
    Writing Update
    Wwii

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • The Home Page
  • The Writer
  • The Books
  • The Blog
  • The Subscription
  • The Archives
  • The Order Form
  • The Privacy Policy
  • The Updates