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I would use this book with grade levels 7-12. It was not overly difficult to read and I think my students would be able to understand the concepts in the novel.
Before using this novel in the classroom teachers should know in what aspects this novel would be effective. This novel does show some of rural Japan and the corresponding culture. However, this novel's most prominent theme is pacifism. Throughout the novel the author includes many characters that are not only effected by the war, but also express anti-war views prior to the war.
This novel could be used with an East Asia unit, with a WWII unit or even with respect to Pacifism. I think an additional interesting facet is that this is written by a foreign author.
Overall, this was a good book. It was an interesting read regardless of the educational tie in. The fact that you can use this as an educational tool makes the novel better. The time span within the book makes it more interesting.
