Empire of the Sun
#1 in Empire of the Sun Series
on Goodreads (21,748)
What’s inside...
One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools, this novel won the 'Guardian' Fiction Prize and was runner-up for the Booker Prize. Seen through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy stranded in Shanghai in World War II, it is a portrayal of the chaos, confusion and terror of a world torn apart. The classic, award-winning novel, made famous by Steven Spielberg's film, tells of a young boy's struggle to survive World War II in China. Jim is separated from his parents in a world at war. To survive, he must find a strength greater than all the events that surround him. Shanghai, 1941—a city aflame from the fateful torch of Pearl Harbor. In streets full of chaos and corpses, a young British boy searches in vain for his parents. Imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp, he witnesses the fierce white flash of Nagasaki, as the bomb bellows the end of the war and the dawn of a blighted world. Ballard's enduring novel of war and deprivation, internment camps and death marches, and starvation and survival is an honest coming-of-age tale set in a world thrown utterly out of joint.
Character compass
Jim Graham
Mr. Maxted
Basie
Dr. Ransome
Sergeant Nagata
Discussion points
How do you think Jim felt when he was separated from his parents? What would you do in his situation?
Why is friendship important during difficult times? How did Jim’s friendships influence his journey?
What role do hope and resilience play in Jim’s story?
How do the different settings in the book affect Jim's experiences and feelings?
What did you learn about history and other cultures from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Jim’s shoes, which helps in understanding his emotions and decisions. Use follow-up questions to dig deeper into your child's thoughts and feelings about the book’s events. Discuss the historical context of the story, providing a brief background to enhance understanding and appreciation. Highlight the moral lessons about courage and hope, asking your child how they can apply these in their own life. Share your own insights and reflections to model thoughtful engagement with the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'Empire of the Sun' demonstrate remarkable resilience in surviving the hardships of war.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to maintain hope and strength during difficult times, understanding that perseverance can lead to overcoming challenges.
Example Lesson: The importance of adaptability
Explanation: The protagonist adapts to drastically changed circumstances, learning to navigate a new world.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of flexibility and adapting to new environments or situations, a skill useful at school and in social settings.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Throughout the story, the protagonist encounters various people from different backgrounds, learning to understand and empathize with their struggles.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing understanding and compassion towards peers and others who might seem different from them.