An incredibly emotional book to read. A real event in history turned into fiction to keep the story alive today. The story of a grandfather reliving the day that Hiroshima was hit by an atomic bomb and the horrific aftermath that followed. This is Ichiro's story told through his words, his thoughts, his eyes. Not knowing where his parents are or if they are still alive he has to focus on saving his best friend and his sister. With so many people injured and dying Ichiro lives with the guilt of not doing enough and trying to find the people he left behind. This is told through haikus, story and many paper cranes . The illustrations are wonderful and add so much to an already emotional story.