Spare book about Akira and his three younger siblings who are essentially abandoned by their mother in their Tokyo apartment. For almost a year, the book chronicles the children's struggles when money runs out and utilities are cut off. ( )

Very depressing ending, especially given that it is based on a true story. ( )

Eleven-year-old Akira, eight-year-old Shigeru, and four-year-old Yuki must fend for themselves after their mother abandons them to be with a new boyfriend. Initially she is gone for about a month, and then later, after she's been gone many months, it becomes apparent to Akira that she is never coming back. The story was inspired by true events in Tokyo, which made it all the more heart breaking to read. I won't spoil anything for you, but I will tell you that I despised the ending! It left me shaking my head and wondering HOW an author could end a story the way it ended. Now that a bit of time has passed since I finished the book, I realize that the ending might be exactly the way the real events transpired. ( )

A moving story about four abandoned children having to survive on their own. Based on a film I have not seen. ( )

Akira, 12, is left in charge of his three younger siblings when their mother disappears. It's sad, and there's no real ending, leaving the book feeling unfinished. What happens to the kids? Does Mom continue to drift in and out? Do they survive or not? Are they found out by the landlord? And what's Mom's deal, anyway?

Inspired by true events in Tokyo, but no author's note to explain what happened to that family, either. It ends up feeling like this hybrid of Homecoming mixed with Flowers in the Attic, with maybe a splash of Heather Quarles' A Door Near Here. And that's not the best blend. ( )