Heart of a Samurai: Newbery Medal-Winning Adventure Novel

Our five kids (ages 2–13) have thoroughly enjoyed this book during our family reading time. The older ones were so captivated that they read ahead on their own because it was hard to put down! Manjiro’s incredible journey is both inspiring and engaging, making this a fantastic read for all ages. We’ve loved following his brave story and highly recommend this book for families looking for an adventurous and meaningful read.

This a book that reads very much like a good classic Tarzan Story The author has done a great job in telling a tale of an curious and resourceful man. It is interesting to be reminded how the USA was connected to Japan even before the Meiji Restoration period. The Story flows easily and should be on any teenagers reading list. I really could have used a follow up book to fill in the rest of the story but others have written extensively about Manjiro's life.In this cancel culture, people should still be able to know what people's lives were like in the whaling days. Every generation has hard working people who did what they could to survive. This book is inspiring to those who want to put in the effort to see their goals realized.

After their fishing boat goes astray due to a storm at sea, Japanese native Manjiro longs for home, but knows he can never return. Set in the year of 1841, during which Japan closed its borders to foreigners and those who have left it’s shores. When Manjiro and his coordinates are finally rescued by an American whaling ship it opens his eyes to a world hidden to him by the Japanese government. Set over a decade,spent in America, Japan and in Margi Preus expresses the feelings of curiosity and eventual world changing decision making, as he pursues his dream of becoming a samurai despite his background. It deals with the topics of race and hereditary status, family and pursuing your dreams in Margi Preus’ brilliant debut novel Heart of a Samurai.

As you will notice my handle name is John Manjiro and this book is about him. I took this handle name because he is the first known Japanese to live in America and eventually he kept his friendship alive with his deeds to foster better relations with the U.S. I had an opportunity to correspond with the author. I think she made the story exciting so kids will be drawn to the story. I have bought the book so that my grandkids appreciate the story. Since it is a true story, any one remotely interested in Japan and America during the 19th Century will find this book fascinating. Japanese people recently bought the house where John Manjiro spent his youth in Fairhaven, Mass in 1840s and donated the house to the city. The schools he went to as well as the church he attended are still in existence. Checkout Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society.

Reading this as an adult, it makes me think of grade school and the isolation exchange students must have felt during that time. I regret not being able to understand and empathize more with those friends. Given that I've now had the chance to live abroad twice, I found Manjiro echoing the sad words and feelings in my heart when I would long to belong or when I missed home. Today's world is smaller than ever, and the importance of empathy and kindness everlasting. I found a friend in Manjiro as someone who understands the pain of being isolated and misunderstood. If someone who has suffered yet gotten back up again. I am so grateful to have found and read this book. Thank you, Margi Preus for capturing this story so well.

The foundation of a historical and unusual protagonist gives this well-written story added significance for me. As an adult, I was a little disappointed that a few made-up incidents and opponents were introduced to make the story more gripping, but the tension is no doubt appreciated by the intended audience. I certainly recommend the book as both informative and enjoyable.

We are reading this together as a family and we are all loving the story.

I liked but it was an ok book I liked the idea that this was a great book hi hi