What Was Pearl Harbor - What Was...? Author:Patricia Brennan Demuth, John Mantha (Illustrator) A terrifying attack! — On December 7, 1941, Japanese war planes appeared out of nowhere to bomb the American base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. It was a highly secretive and devastating attack: four battleships sunk, more than two thousand servicemen died, and the United States was propelled into World War II. In a compelling, easy-to-read nar... more »rative, children will learn all about a pivotal moment in American history.« less