Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki

Nozomi

The main character.

Mr. Yoshioka

The Art teacher.

Satoko

Mr. Yoshioka’s dead fiancé.

Shun

Nozomi’s best friend.

Grandma

Nozomi's MATERNAL grandmother.

Gamma

Nozomi’s PATERNAL grandmother.

Mrs. Sudo

A neighbor of Nozomi’s who lost her son in the flash and her husband in the war.

Kozo

A classmate of Nozomi and Shun who admires Mr. Yoshioka.

Mrs. Hotta

Shinji’s Mother who reached out to Nozomi after Shinji's death.

Shinji

Yuriko’s first love who died before they could marry.

Yuriko

Nozomi’s Mother.

Summary

• Setting: Post-WWII Japan, focusing on the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing.

• Main Character: The story follows a young girl named Nozomi as she reflects on the effects of the atomic bomb on her family and community.

• Plot Overview:

  • Nozomi’s family struggles with the loss of her father, who died from the effects of the bomb years earlier.

  • She discovers her father's involvement in a memorial project for victims, creating soul lanterns to honor those who perished.

  • As Nozomi learns more about the bomb’s impact on her family, she grapples with the trauma and grief left behind.