Heart of a Samurai

Any actor worth his salt can bring the voices of a whaling crew at sea to a landlocked listener. James Yaegashi sails beyond that by getting inside the heart of Manjiro, a shipwrecked Japanese boy whom Captain Howland rescues and later adopts. Working from a true story, Yaegashi captures the confusion and loneliness of a teen, far from home in America, who is surrounded by strangers who don't speak his language. As Manjiro learns the ways of his adoptive country in the mid-nineteenth century, Yaegashi adds confidence to Manjiro's voice while maintaining the crisp and accurate pronunciation of Japanese words. Listeners will marvel at Manjiro's will to survive, adapt, and return home to become a samurai. An endnote narrated by the author explains what parts of the story are based in fact. M.M.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Starred review from January 1, 2012
Gr 5 Up-Shipwrecked in 1841, 14-year-old Manjiro and his mates are rescued from a small island by an American whaler. Because of their country's strict policy of isolation, the Japanese fishermen are wary of their rescuers, but Manjiro is curious and wants to learn more about their language and customs. Eventually, he accepts the captain's offer to stay on the ship when it returns to America. He experiences prejudice and racism, as well as kindness and friendship in America. While he learns much in his adopted home, he still wishes to return someday to Japan. Based on a true story, Margi Preus's Newbery Honor title (Amulet, 2010) is skillfully narrated by James Yaegashi. With superior pacing and crisp pronunciation of Japanese names and words, Yaegashi creates an engaging listening experience. The action-filled scenes aboard whaling ships, as well as the everyday experiences on the farm in America, will hold listeners' attention. An author's historical note details fact from fiction in this inspirational, remarkable tale.-"Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL"

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 26, 2010
In picture book author (The Peace Bell) Preus’s excellent first novel, based on the true story of Manjiro Nakahama, Manjiro is 14 in 1841 when he is shipwrecked in a storm. An American whaling ship eventually rescues him and his shipmates, and while his fellow fishermen are fearful of the “barbarians,” Manjiro is curious about them and the world. Knowing Japanese law forbids him from returning home because he’s left the country, he learns English and whaling, gets a new name and family with the captain, and eventually seeks his way in America as the first known Japanese to set foot there. He finds innovative ways to challenge both hardships and prejudice, and never loses his curiosity. Preus mixes fact with fiction in a tale that is at once adventurous, heartwarming, sprawling, and nerve-racking in its depictions of early anti-Asian sentiment. She succeeds in making readers feel every bit as “other” as Manjiro, while showing America at its best and worst through his eyes. Period illustrations by Manjiro himself and others, as well as new art from Jillian Tamaki, a glossary, and other background information are included. Ages 10–14.