Heart of a Samurai : : Based on the True Story of Nakahama Manjiro

Locations
Call Number: R Newbery Honor 2011, Y Fiction / Preus, Margi, Kids Book / Fiction / Action & Adventure / Preus, Margi
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown Kids Reference 0-week checkout	R Newbery Honor 2011	0-week checkout	Library Use Only
Downtown Kids Books 4-week checkout	Y Fiction / Preus, Margi	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Kids Books 4-week checkout	Kids Book / Fiction / Action & Adventure / Preus, Margi	4-week checkout	Due 05-09-2024
Pittsfield Kids Books 4-week checkout	Kids Book / Fiction / Action & Adventure / Preus, Margi	4-week checkout	Due 05-13-2024

In 1841, rescued by an American whaler after a terrible shipwreck leaves him and his four companions castaways on a remote island, fourteen-year-old Manjiro, who dreams of becoming a samurai, learns new laws and customs as he becomes the first Japanese person to set foot in the United States.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

True story submitted by steven123505 on June 18, 2012, 10:00am a nice story, it blows my mind that this book is true

based on a true story submitted by camelsamba on June 24, 2014, 12:40pm Based on a true story; large narrative arc is all based on true events but the day-to-day details and conflict are imagined.

I originally checked this out for my 13yo son, and he really enjoyed it. Then I read it to the 10yo, who also enjoyed it. There is challenge, adventure, exotic locales, but also ordinary life and a bit of drudgery.It started to drag at the end, especially after he left California - or maybe even before he went to California. I did have to explain terms and set some cultural context along the way, which I suspect the 13yo learned in middle school social studies. There is a glossary at the end, and we especially enjoyed the Sailor's Lingo (slang!), but I didn't even bother with the ship terminology - that would have benefitted from drawings.

Possible spoiler: So much of the story seems like foreshadowing for Manjiro's return to Japan, and his desire to build a bridge between cultures, but once he gets there, the book fizzles out. It even feels like the tone or writing style changes there - more a dry recitation than compelling narrative. You have to read the historical note at the end to learn what all Manjiro did in life - and he did accomplish some amazing feats!

Booring submitted by menmen on June 18, 2018, 4:45pm I really feel bored about this book and that's not that interesting as I'd expect.