A ninth-grader learns about the Hibakusha (Japanese atomic-bomb survivors), their struggles, and his own grandfather's role in them A compelling look at the horror of war through the eyes of those who lived it and those who haven't Story is seen through the eyes of a group of North American teenagers grappling with intense and confusing feelings about the suffering of WWII Author David Poulsen, having researched and written award-winning books about wars in Vietnam and France, creates a well-researched look at the horror of war in Japan and its impact on innocent people Author's previous book, Old Man, was shortlisted for the Forest of Reading White Pine Award and Numbers was awarded the Sakura Medal (Japan), and was a finalist for the R. Ross Annett Award (Alberta) and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award for Young Adult Fiction