Thirty Minutes Over Oregon book review by Virgil

Title of the Book: Thirty Minutes Over Oregon 

Author Name: Marc Tyler Nobleman 

Reviewer's Name: Virgil 

Publisher: Clarion Books 

Date of Publication: 2018 

Rating: 1-5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

I would rate this book a ⅘. I love its deeper meaning and it is also a picture book.  I didn't realize picture books could be so informative. A picture book about a Japanese Bomber from World War Two? Yes you read that correctly, the book “Thirty Minutes Over Oregon” takes place near the end of World War 2, and after America bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese decided to bomb the US mainland in a top-secret mission, something no one even to this day has ever done except Nobuo Fujita. This is so important because the pilot Nobuo Fujita was the first and only person to ever bomb American soil. The main character the pilot Nobuo is tasked with bombing Oregon to cause forest fires, however, it doesn't work. Years later the people of the town he bombed honored him and he soon becomes an honorary member of the town before his death in 1997. 

My favorite part is how he still is honored even after attacking their town, and how people eventually warm up to him and forgive him for what would have possibly sparked even further worse conflict between America and Japan. Another thing that's important about this book is how it's a children's book yet discusses themes like suicide, death, and racism. It's interesting to see so many people including children reading books about something that is/would be seen as offensive or inappropriate for the time. I think that this book is great for all ages age, I think it's great for teaching young people and a nice short read for others. I believe that if we were to make more books like this they would be very interesting, and not only is the plot good the illustrations are amazing, and it's very interesting how only two people were able to make, draw, and write this beautiful book, however, the only problem I have for it is the fact that it's just so short, however, they were able to combine all that's needed to know in such a short picture book.