Heart of a Samurai

Brief overview:

The year is 1841. A sea storm strands a Japanese fisherboy named Manjiro and his friends on an island. The group can't return home because of the country's rule that once you leave, you can't come back. Manjiro starts a new life on board a whaling ship, learns more about cultures he once feared, and wonders if one can ever become a samurai.

Recommended age range: 8-12 years old

Strengths:

• Based off the life of Manjiro Nakahama, a Japanese teenager shipwrecked in 1841.
• Includes Manjiro's actual pencil drawings throughout the book.
• An interesting look into how different cultures perceive one another and the importance of overcoming our suspicions to engage on a deeper level.
• A glimpse into life during that time period (1840s/1850s).

Additional Notes:

• With a slower moving pace, reading it aloud can be a good option.
• Not written as a fast-paced adventure, but fine as a historical biography.
• Story covers Manjiro's entire life and can skip over chunks of time making it harder to track.