Warriors in the Crossfire

"This brief and powerful story will help to keep alive the memory of indigenous families caught in the crossfire between the Japanese and American armies. . . . This volume stand[s] out. (historical note, further reading)" --Kirkus Reviews * "Intense and powerful reading that avoids bleakness by celebrating family, culture, and a longing for peace." --Booklist, starred review "Because this is a topic not often covered in young adult literature, this will be an excellent addition to historical fiction collections." --Library Media Connection "Joseph is an engaging and three-dimensional character. . . . A useful endnote separates fact from fiction. A unique and important addition to World War II fiction." --School Library Journal

This gripping historical novel is set on the tiny island of Saipan, which the Japanese had long governed, near the end of World War II. Thirteen-year-old Joseph, the son of a local village chief, and his half-Japanese best friend, Kento, have their loyalties tested when U.S. troops arrive and one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific war is fought. Caught in the crossfire between the Americans and Japanese, the boys learn what it really means to be a warrior. The novel is based on historical facts, and an afterword describes the real-life account of what happened on Saipan the unimaginable horrors of what is now called Suicide Cliff.