Setsuko Thurlaw's first-hand account of bombing of Hiroshima is incredible and moving. Her tragic memoir is vivid and unforgettable. The mix of illustrations and photos is evocative. You cannot read this and accept the existence of nuclear weapons.

Beautifully written. As an AP world history teacher in the US I want to incorporate portions of this book into my class, once published of course. I hope that it’ll aid in breaking the narrative of America “had” to drop the bombs. Can’t wait to see the finished product

This is a sobering look at Hiroshima through a 13-year-old’s eyes. Never Silent is an informative book, a mixture of Setsuko’s experience, the background leading up to the catastrophic event, the history of Japan, life under occupation, and the author’s introduction to activism.

Setsuko Nakamura was 13 years old in Hiroshima when the bomb exploded. She is one of three who survived out of a class of 30. Setsuko explains what happened immediately after the explosion and how her life was altered in the aftermath.

I learned about how numbness saved Setsuko in the days that followed and how it, her samurai background, and her parents’ example prevented bitterness from taking root. I read in awe learning about how the explosion affected survivors’ health and how children who’d been evacuated prior to the catastrophic event returned to devastation and roamed wild. I added a new term to my lexicon - ‘hibakusha’. I felt Setsuko’s anger building and obliged her the time to heed her warning.

I believe the author accomplished her goal; I was emotionally affected and felt encouraged to act.

I read this story on my Kindle, but could see the benefit of reading it as a paperback. Keep that in mind when choosing your format.

I was gifted this copy by Annick Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

In Never Silent, Setsuko Thurlow delivers a poignant, deeply human memoir that is as much a personal narrative as it is a historical testimony and moral call to action. Thurlow, one of the few living Hiroshima survivors, offers readers an intimate account of her life before, during, and after the atomic bombing - while also chronicling her decades-long journey as a peace activist and advocate for nuclear disarmament.

Thurlow also confronts the reader with a persistent ethical question: How long can we afford to be silent? The memoir doesn't allow for passive reading-it demands reflection, empathy, and, ultimately, action.

Overall, Never Silent is not just a memoir; it's a manifesto of memory and moral courage. For readers interested in history, human rights, and activism, this book offers a rare and urgent perspective—one that refuses to be silenced.

Never Silent is a first person account of the events leading up to the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima through the sense of a 13 year old girl by the name of Setsuko. The day started off with Setsuko beginning her decoding training with other girls her age during wartime. What happens next in unimaginable. A nuclear bomb is dropped, and she and her fellow decoders are buried in the rubble. What follows is Setsuko's will to survive, help those in need where she can, and get back to her family to see what has become of them. This book is informative and told in a way children can understand what happened and why. I appreciate the news articles and pictures included as they give children an idea of the historical context. I love that this story also includes all of the humanitarian work Setsuko has done since then, as well as the work she has done for the disarmament of nuclear weapons. Absolutely amazing story that is important for our young to know and learn from. Definitely read ahead to determine if this for your child as some might be sensitive to things like war and what that encompasses.

Thank you to Netgalley, Annick Press, Setsuko Thurlow and Kathy Lowinger for this e-ARC to review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very informative book. I like that the author's personal story was woven with the facts and photographs.
It's a heartbreaking story with a call to action.

Thanks #netgalley for the ARC! I think once it is fully edited, this will be a great book to incorporate into classes about WWII and Japanese-American history.

I appreciated the first-hand experience.

A sobering, informative, and powerful telling of one of history's most horrifying atrocities. Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow tells of her relatively carefree life before the bombing, the way that Japan changed in response to WWII, the awful, incomprehensible event itself, and the horrid aftermath of the months and years that came after.

While this is aimed at a younger audience, it does its duty and doesn't shy away from the violence or vivid descriptions (so be considerate of that if your child is of a more sensitive mind.) This is a recount that still, all these years later, needs to be told, remembered, and never repeated. Power to the people like Setsuko who have been advocating since for a better, more peaceful world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Never Silent is an informative new book about the history and impact of the bombing of Hiroshima. Appropriate for children in 4th=6th grade, this is a book that I would have highly enjoyed at that age. With excellent photographs and short sections, this book could be devoured in one sitting or over multiple days. This is a book that I would prefer to have a physical copy of, rather than read on a screen.

Thank you to Annick Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

What an amazing read to introduce students to a different perspective not only to the dropping of the atomic bombs but also WW2 in general. I loved being able to read the first hand account of what it was like to be in Japan before and after the bombs. The honesty with which the authors speaks is moving and opens the reader's eyes to the horrors that have come with the creation of nuclear weapons.

This was a very accessible yet educational read about the atomic bombing of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Even though it’s targeted at kids, I learned several things I didn’t know before. The US’s use of the atomic bomb was horrific and its effects have only grown as time passes. Viewing the tragedy through the lens of a child and also zooming out to show the aftermath for Japan was a great way to personalize the tragedy while still showing its breadth.