About the Book The authors famous story of a Japanese boy who must face life after escaping the tidal wave destruction of his family and village . . .--Booklist. Illustrated with 18th- and 19th-century Japanese prints. Book Synopsis The powerful novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck, about two friends who must face the pain of losing everything--and how to face their grief with courage. Kino lives on a farm on the side of a mountain in Japan. His friend, Jiya, lives in a fishing village below. Everyone, including Kino and Jiya, has heard of the big wave. No one suspects it will wash over them, until the rushing water sweeps away the whole village--including Jiyas family. As Jiya struggles to overcome his sorrow, with the help of Kino and his father, he comes to understand that it is only in the presence of danger that one learns to be brave, and that even in the face of terrible tragedy, life and love are stronger than death. From the Back Cover Kino lives on a farm on the side of a mountain in Japan. His friend, Jiya, lives in a fishing village below. Everyone, including Kino and Jiya, has heard of the big wave. No one suspects it will wipe out the whole village and Jiyas family, too. As Jiya struggles to overcome his sorrow, he understands it is in the presence of danger that one learns to be brave, and to appreciate how wonderful life can be. The famous story of a Japanese boy who must face life after escaping the tidal wave destruction of his family and village.