Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

2013 Newbery Honor Book

National Book Award Finalist

Ratings Explanation

Language: About 10 swear words (hell, damn, SOB) and 5 religious exclamations.

Violence: A brief description of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is stated that British soldiers were shot by the Gestapo. In an attempt to take out a Norweigen target, 34 British soldiers die. Some of them are captured and shot by Germans. The destruction of Hiroshima is described. It is stated that Nagasaki was bombed.

Adult Themes: War. Treason. The Cold War and arms race. American citizens willingly give secrets to the Russians. Some of the scientists who work on the atomic bomb project are conflicted about the production of a bomb with such terrible capabilities. The introduction of atomic weapons into the world. The last page of the Epilogue discusses the possibility of countries using atomic weapons today and the impact they could have on civilization.

Synopsis

Bomb is the story of the “creation-and theft-of the deadliest weapon ever invented.”

Sheinkin brings history to life with his fast-paced narrative about the atomic bomb. The reader learns about the science and scientists behind the creation of this terrible weapon, and is also introduced to the spies who stole and passed on classified secrets to the Russians. Of great interest is the story of the resistance fighters and British airmen who attempted and eventually succeeded in destroying a Norweigen heavy water factory which significantly slowed the German’s progress toward the creation of their own atomic weapon.

Primary source documents and photos add interest and authenticity to Bomb  and real life characters Harry Truman, Robert Oppenheimer, Paul Tibbets (pilot of the Enola Gay) and many others provide insight into the people behind the events they are famous for influencing. This well written and incredibly interesting non-fiction gem will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

We read this book aloud in our family and we all loved it! Bomb is truly informative but also incredibly interesting and full of intrigue. I am not particularly scientific minded, but the explanation of the science behind the bomb was very accessible and my 11-year-old helped explain all the things I didn’t understand.

For me, the most interesting part of the book is the people involved in making history. Robert Oppenheimer is generally credited with the creation of the atomic bomb, but it was a project that involved literally thousands of scientists. Oppenheimer had serious reservations about creating such a terrible weapon, but was also, understandably, proud of the scientific progress they made in creating it. When the bomb was successfully tested, the scientists “turned to one another and offered congratulations – for the first few minutes. Then there was a chill, which was not the morning cold.”

“It was the chill of knowing they had used something they loved – the study of physics- to build the deadliest weapon in human history.”

“It was extremely solemn,” Oppenheimer recalled. “We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent.” Oppenheimer was reminded of a line from ancient Hindu scripture, “Now I am become death, the destroyer of the world.”

Once the bomb was tested and ready, President Harry Truman had to decide whether it should actually be used or not. “American troops were preparing for an all-out invasion of Japan. The Japanese had an estimated 2.5 million troops ready to defend the islands. Truman asked General George Marshall how many Americans were likely to be killed or wounded.”

It was Marshall’s opinion that “an invasion would cost at a minimum a quarter of a million American casualties.” That settled it for Truman and he later explained, “I couldn’t worry about what history would say about my personal morality. I made the only decision I ever knew how to make. I did what I thought was right.”

I highly recommend this fascinating book for grades 5 and older, especially for read-aloud and discussion.