Braver than a Ninja: A Review of Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Mateo says: I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.   This book is about a Japanese fisher boy named Manjiro who is 14 years old.  One day, he goes on a boat with 4 of his friends (Denzo, Jusuke, Goemon, and Toraemon). Suddenly, he and his friends get shipwrecked, landing on a barren rock. The 5 have only raw birds to eat, and no drinking water. After a long time on the island, they get rescued by the blue-eyed Americans. But does this “rescue” mean freedom and glory, or death as the so-called barbarians throw them out to sea? Unlike other books, this book deals with racism in an interesting manner.

Danielle's review:

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

A confession: I do not like books set on boats.  Moby Dick, Lord Jim . . . I have read them, but I won’t be rereading them.  So I approached Heart of a Samurai A Novel Inspired by a True Adventure on the High Seas with trepidation.  It turns out, though, that the part of this historical fiction set on the whaling ship is the best part, as we witness the culture clash between the shipwrecked Japanese fishermen and the American whalers who rescue them.  The novel flags when it arrives on dry land, in New England.  

Margi Preus should be given credit for her extensive research on Manjiro, and the book uses Manjiro’s own delicate illustrations.   I appreciated the historical note, glossary, and bibliography.  Preus does an admirable job of informing her readers on the prejudices, indeed the racism, arising from ignorance, and the abilities of some people, including Manjiro and Captain Whitfield, to overcome then. 

Worth buying? Hmmm.  Borrow from the library!

Awards:  Newbery Runner-up (2011)

Publication Information: Preus, Margi.  Heart of a Samurai: Based on the True Story of Manjiro Nakahama.  New York: Amulet, 2010.