Above the East China Sea

Praise

“A stunning account of wartime Okinawa. . . . Wise and sensitive.” —Anthony Marra, San Francisco Chronicle

“Extraordinary. . . . A major display of literary talent—an absolutely don’t-miss novel.” —The Washington Times

“Richly rewarding. . . . Finely wrought.” —Chicago Tribune (Editor’s Choice)
 
“Bird’s fine novel suggests that . . . ancient beliefs can still provide comfort and connection in a modern world.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Engaging, haunting, and illuminating. . . . A unique tale of friendship that defies time and space. . . . Poignant and deeply memorable.” —The Daily Beast

“Compelling. . . . Bird deftly captures the unique, era-appropriate voice of each girl. . . . Revelations are at once heartbreaking and uplifting, and reinforce an Okinawan expression uttered by many of Birds’ unforgettable characters: ‘Nuchi du takara.’ Life is the treasure.” —The Seattle Times

“A moving dual coming-of-age story.” —Marie Claire

“This is the rare tome that has the goods for both popular and critical acclaim at the highest level. . . . After this book, Bird should be a literary household name.” —The Dallas Morning News

“Revelatory.” —Reader’s Digest

 “Gripping. . . . This tale of how women and girls survive bloody times manages its happy ending without offering easy answers—quite a feat for such an entertaining read.” —The Austin Chronicle

“To my mind, Bird is the finest living Texas novelist, and Above the East China Sea showcases all of her gifts in spades—her unmistakable voice displays warmth, wit, and that rare variety of irreverence that possesses real heart.” —Robert Leleux, The Texas Observer

“[Bird] has penned elegiac novels of tremendous depth and richness. . . . [Her] latest—Above the East China Sea, a return to her military-brat youth in Asia—may be her best.” —San Antonio Express-News

 “Fascinating. . . . Above the East China Sea provides welcome context to the news reports from an island whose pivotal place in global power politics remains mostly unexamined.” —BookPage

“[Has] immense teen appeal. . . Teens will be turning pages quickly.” —School Library Journal
“An extraordinary novel. . . . Intermingles past and present young adult lives, with entertaining banter plus a touch of the supernatural. . . . A gratifying read. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society

“Readers won’t soon forget Tamiko’s searing depiction of her experiences during the Battle of Okinawa. . . . A multilayered and utterly involving work.” —Booklist

“A rich and engrossing achievement. . . . A suspenseful and magical journey.” —Library Journal

“Fascinating. . . . Ambitious and rewarding. . . . [A] powerful sense of history and place.” —Publishers Weekly