// Read the book first if you want surprises! //
If you’ve never read anything by Margi Preus (or even if you have), I highly recommend you check out her Newbery Honor book HEART OF A SAMURAI. Set during the mid-19th century, the young adult novel is based on the true-life story of Manjiro (pictured above), who many believe was the first Japanese person to set foot on North American soil. As a fisherboy off the coast of Japan, Manjiro becomes stranded on an island with his crew until an American whaling ship passes by and rescues them. After learning about life on a whaling vessel, Manjiro decides to remain on the ship. He and the kind ship captain become friends and in time, Manjiro visits New England. Throughout the story, Manjiro struggles to bridge western and eastern cultures of the time period. Thankfully, his struggle will find a purpose, for Manjiro will play an important role in helping open up Japan to the West.
PS The novel also includes Manjiro’s wonderful drawings.