In a Flash is a historical fiction novel by Donna Jo Napoli,
for audiences in grades 4-6 and ages 8-12. Simona, an eight-year-old, and her
sister Carolina, a five-year-old, move with their father to Japan, where he
works for the Italian embassy. However, during the start of World War II, the
girls are separated from their dad. Simona must protect Carolina and do all she
can to ensure their safety and survival.
I liked reading from Simona’s perspective, and she felt real
to me. She is kind and caring, and also clever and observant. There were times
where I felt the same emotions she felt. When I first began reading, it felt
almost as if I were reading a diary because the book is in first person and
there are dates at the beginning of each chapter. Sometimes the chapters are
weeks, months, or even years apart. As I read more, it felt less like a diary
to me. Perhaps because the book is in the present tense, and because I became
more involved in the story. Through Simona’s perspective, I could see the
reality and the horrors of war and its negative economic and emotional impact
on adults and children. Shops close, people are forced to go to black markets
for food, and everyone becomes distressed and suspicious of others, and they
turn on one another.
The book offered a different perspective on WWII, and I felt
like I had a better understanding of how some normal civilians might have seen
it. In the book, some Japanese say “Shikata ga nai,” which means life goes on.
People try to go on with their lives despite the war. Kids still go to school,
and people continue working. However, as the war gets worse, so do the
civilians’ living conditions. More shops close, food becomes scarce, children
drop out of school and wander the streets, some gardening to survive. Because
of the war, Simona and Carolina must be aware of their surroundings and other
people at all times. They must be careful of how they act, what they say, and
what they do if they want to live.
There are themes of love vs hatred, freedom vs tyranny,
propaganda vs truth, and war and its effect on people, which I enjoyed. People
distrust and hate others, only focusing on their own survival and not caring
for others like Simona and Carolina. Their love grows cold. People are forced
to give up anything metal, such as pots, for the army to use. Boys as young as
sixteen are forced to join the army. Students in Japanese schools are taught to
hate America and that Japan is winning the war when they aren’t. However, Simona,
Carolina, and others strive against hatred, tyranny, and propaganda. They show
love and kindness to others, strive for their freedom, and try to learn and
share the truth.
There is a real sense of high stakes, and I was always
worried for the characters, wondering if something bad would happen to them and
hoping they would be alright. Because of the events that occur, I wondered if
anything else would change in a flash.
One thing I didn’t really like was that there were times
where I felt the dialogue was a bit of an info dump. It wasn’t bad, and the
information was needed. But when people talked to Simona and Carolina about the
war and what was happening, it felt a bit fake to me at times. I questioned if
it was really something a grownup would say to a child. However, the dialogue
is really good overall, and it makes me empathize with Simona and other
characters in the story. There is a brief mention of a painting with
nearly naked women. Also, a horrible thing happens to Simona. However, she didn’t
react the way I was expecting, and I didn’t really know what she was thinking or
feeling at that moment.
A takeaway for me was to always be aware of your surroundings,
and that you must treat others with love and respect even though it may not be
easy. God says to love your neighbor as yourself, and it is the second of the greatest
commandments. You can’t just love your neighbor as yourself when it is
convenient. You have to do it when it may not be convenient too. In the book,
times are so hard that it would be easier for people to ignore those who needed
their help. However, some characters in the story risk their own safety to help
others in need. I would like to be like that. Sometimes God will tell us to do
things for others that we may not feel like doing because we’re worried about
our own circumstances. But we have to trust God and do what He calls us to do.
If we do that, then we can be more like Jesus.
I would recommend this book to those who aren’t too
sensitive to war and are interested in historical fictional children’s books. I
enjoyed this book, so perhaps I will check out Donna Jo Napoli’s other books.
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