From two-time Newbery medalist and living legend Lois Lowry comes a moving account of the lives lost in two of WWII’s most infamous events: Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. With evocative black-and-white illustrations by SCBWI Golden Kite Award winner Kenard Pak.

Lois Lowry looks back at history through a personal lens as she draws from her own memories as a child in Hawaii and Japan, as well as from historical research, in this stunning work in verse for young readers.

On the Horizon tells the story of people whose lives were lost or forever altered by the twin tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. Based on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbor and civilians in Hiroshima, On the Horizon contemplates humanity and war through verse that sings with pain, truth, and the importance of bridging cultural divides. This masterful work emphasizes empathy and understanding in search of commonality and friendship, vital lessons for students as well as citizens of today’s world. Kenard Pak’s stunning illustrations depict real-life people, places, and events, making for an incredibly vivid return to our collective past.

In turns haunting, heartbreaking, and uplifting, On the Horizon will remind readers of the horrors and heroism in our past, as well as offer hope for our future.

Personal WWII History: Author Lois Lowry draws on her own childhood memories of living in Hawaii before the attack and in Japan after the war, connecting readers directly to the past.
Book in Verse: Experience these historical events through lyrical free verse that brings the individual stories of soldiers and civilians to life with poignancy and power.
Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima: Explore the connected stories of the young American sailors aboard the USS Arizona and the Japanese families, including a boy with a red tricycle, devastated by the atomic bomb.
A Call for Empathy: This moving narrative bridges cultural divides, focusing on shared humanity to foster understanding and hope in a new generation of readers.
Powerful Classroom Resource: Featuring stunning black-and-white illustrations, this Newbery medalist's work is an essential, accessible, and unforgettable introduction to WWII history for middle grade students.