Japan
The Friends
By Kazumi Yumoto, Cathy Hirano (Translator)
The Friends. Kazumi Yumoto. Translated by Cathy Hirano. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 1996. Originally published as 夏の庭 (Natsu no niwa) in Japanese by Fukutake Publishing Co., Ltd., in 1992. ISBN 9780374324605. 176 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
From the publisher: “In this award-winning book from Japan, three young boys curious about death learn--and teach--some valuable lessons about life and friendship.” Winner of the 1997 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction; ALA Notable Children's Book; 1997 Batchelder Award winner. [all]
How Do You Live?
By Genzaburō Yoshino, Bruno Navasky (Translator)
How Do You Live? Genzaburō Yoshino. Translated by Bruno Navasky. Foreword by Neil Gaiman. Algonquin Young Readers, 2021. This version originally published as 君たちはどう生きるか (Kimitachi wa dō ikiru ka) in Japanese by Iwanami Shoten Publishers, in Tokyo, in 1982; first published in Japan in 1937. ISBN 9781616209773. 288 p. (Ages 10 and up). Fiction.
A story about the complexities of life, history, and humanity, narrated in two voices: 15-year-old Copper describes his daily experiences at school and home, while his loving uncle offers wisdom and advice in the form of a journal. A 2021 Freeman Book Awards Young Adult/Middle School Literature Book of Note. Hayao Miyazaki (of Studio Ghibli) called this a childhood favorite and used it as inspiration for his final Studio Ghibli film. Tips for teaching this book: Middle School Teaching Aid from asianstudies.org. [all]