I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (I Survived Graphic Novel #12)

I Survived Graphix #12

by Lauren Tarshis, Chris Chalik (illustrator)

A beautifully rendered graphic novel adaptation of Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011, with text adapted by Georgia Ball and art by Chris Chalk.The disaster felt around the world...It's hard enough that Ben is visiting his dad's hometown in Japan only four months after his death. But one morning, Ben's grief turns to fear when a massive earthquake rocks the quiet coastal village where he's staying. His family narrowly escapes a collapsing house, only to find that the ocean is rising up. Ben and his family are swept away -- and pulled apart -- by a devastating tsunami.Now Ben is alone, stranded in an unfamiliar country thousands of miles from home. Can Ben find enough courage and strength to survive one of the most epic disasters of all time?Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series is brought to life like never before in this graphic novel edition. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that's sure to keep any reader turning the pages. Includes a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real-life event.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Comics, Survival, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Lauren Tarshis often wonders how she came to spend most of her waking moments thinking about disasters, as the author of the children's historical fiction series "I Survived." Each book takes readers into the heart of history's most thrilling and terrifying events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the San Francisco earthquake, 9/11, and the Battle of Gettysburg. Writing these books often makes her feel very nervous, as though at any moment a volcano could erupt right outside her window. Then again, she has learned a thing or two about avoiding being eaten by a shark.
Lauren is also the author of the the award-winning Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and its sequel, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love.

For more information, go to her website: www.LaurenTarshis.com

And check out the I Survived Website: www.Scholastic.com/ISurvived

Reviews

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok overall. Engaging and informative, but not as memorable as the others in the series that I've read. There were some emotional scenes but none that really made an impact.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find these I Survived graphic novels to be very educational!
I will say this one may have been a bit more traumatic than most, including a claustrophobic vehicle entrapment. 😶
This book accurately portrays what an earthquake and tsunami are like and in the back there are several pages of important information about this particular event in history.

[Shelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart-pounding and tragic.

[Rachel Nazareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well illustrated and really interesting.

I loved that the fathers lessons (he had died recently) were found for his children throughout the book. They faced an earthquake and a tsunami but they stayed calm and made it through, all because of the lessons he taught them about resilience and survival.

The story was so impressive and also really such an informative book for kids and adults alike who face scary circumstances.

Praying for Japan and all the people who face natural disasters often.

[Joseph Cureton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just really liked it

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic novel version of the popular I Survived story on the 2011 Japanese Tsunami.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lucie Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really sad but I still like it.

[Bekka]

Just a casual kid bedtime story 😶‍🌫️ But also I was the kid who lived for this kind of bedtime story.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The picture quality is great and it’s a great book overall. ❤️

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It was less memorable then the other ones in the series i just did not get as attached to the characters as the other ones. But overall it was ok
The genre was historical fiction

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel adaptation of Tarshis’ tale about Ben’s experience surviving the 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Shogahama, Japan. Ben and his family are visiting his uncle in his father’s hometown. It was a trip his father planned but didn’t live to make after a car crash. Ben, his mom, and his little brother have made the trip anyway. But will this further take members of his family away from Ben?

Clearly Tarshis hasn’t watched the Mythbusters episode about escaping a sinking car. Ben could’ve opened the car door as soon as he was fully submerged but the way he gets out works too (just probably harder and therefore a bit less likely). I was actually quite surprised at the survival rate in this I Survived. It’s higher than normal for named characters, but that’s probably good, considering Ben’s family has already lost their father. I’ve read a couple other books set during this event, and I like how reading the multiple perspectives gives a fuller view of the whole event. I recommend reading the Girls Survive graphic novel set during this event too because it focuses on a completely different circumstance, and I recommend reading the nonfiction book Meltdown by Langeland that focuses on the nuclear reactor incident following the tsunami.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: It is clear that many, many people didn’t survive the earthquake or tsunami but no deaths are shown on page. Ben’s father’s car crash isn’t shown on page either. Ben’s father being shot down in Afghanistan while in the military is shown and him parachuting to safety and surviving in a cave until rescue. Ben’s family is swept up in a flood in their car.
Ethnic diversity: Ben and his family are Japanese American. Others are Japanese.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Grief. The need for hope and bravery in tough circumstances is a big theme which Ben needs as he is tempted to give up many times.

[Eden Bryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jr read
Graphic novel
Quick and high interest
Easy win for my grade 4’s

[Amanda Zayas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one to read to my class under the document camera! They feel like they’re watching a cartoon, while I read to them and teach them something new.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such brave, amazing people who go through life or death situations like this. I can't imagine how I would react if I were in an earthquake, a tsunami, and a nuclear power plant explosion, all in a 4 day period. The earthquake and tsunami happen within 30 minutes of each other; the power plant explosion happened around 3 days later. One moment I think people are so bad and then I read books like this and are amazed how people can survive and come together. I loved the story and the illustrations are top notch.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my more favorite books from the graphic novel series. The art style was pleasant to look at. I also really liked that there was a cat in the book who became more of a companion to the main character.

[Harlyn Rengel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. My favorite was when Harry fell out of the cherry blossom tree I mean it wasn’t funny or anything but the part about him finally agreeing to get stitches because he wanted a scar like darth Vader was really cute🥹🥹🥹🥹overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it for people who like water🤪

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. It’s not as emotionally nuanced as the original, but it does a great job with flash back and silent panels to show the kid’s emotional journey, and the tsunami pictures are exciting and vivid.

[Kharis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so much emotion sadness,happiness,and bravery I would reccomend

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In general, I prefer the actual chapter books in the I Survived series, but this one is good as a graphic as well. Shows how one kid can survive against a tsunami.

[The Loco Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story of a boy who survived the tsunami by resembling his dad’s advice and resiliency.

[Bonnie Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art style once again is beautiful

[David Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

2011 Japanese Tsunami

A compelling recount of survival in the midst of an earth quake, tsunami and Fukushima’s Nuclear Explosion was amazing and extraordinary!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family story set in major historical disaster.
These stories, with family focus in the midst of disasters, always make me cry, because THIS family makes it through the disaster.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good graphic novel.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Actual rating: 3.5 stars)
One of several graphic novels I read in December to help meet my yearly page goal.

[Landon Hair · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jgramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I for one could totally use more gaman in my life.

[Micah · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

[Icazia]

This book was thrilling to read. I like the I Survived storys because they are about big things that happen in the past.