Heart of a Samurai

By: Margi Preus

Narrated by: James Yaegashi

Praised as “a timeless tale” by Booklist in a starred review, this Newbery Honor book by Margi Preus explores the cultural divide between the East and West circa 1841. When Manjiro, a Japanese teenager, is thrown from his fishing boat during a storm, he’s rescued by an American whaling ship. Befriending the ship’s captain, Manjiro decides to travel with the crew to Massachusetts. But years later, when Manjiro attempts to return to his homeland, he’s imprisoned as an outsider.

©2010 Margi Preus (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Preus mixes fact with fiction in a tale that is at once adventurous, heartwarming, sprawling, and nerve-racking ...." ( Publishers Weekly)

Unique view

What a unique view into Japanese lifestyle & culture & the US through the eyes of an outsider. A remarkable true story about the first Japanese person to interact with the US & influence his people once he returned.

a beautiful story of the first Japanese boy in Ame

Would you consider the audio edition of Heart of a Samurai to be better than the print version?

yes

What other book might you compare Heart of a Samurai to and why?

Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa

Which character – as performed by James Yaegashi – was your favorite?

John

If you could take any character from Heart of a Samurai out to dinner, who would it be and why?

John.it would be interesting to hear how his thoughts progressedfrom childhood to adult

Any additional comments?

the fantastic story about the early history of Japan and America

Beautifully written story of love, courage and tolerance

And adventure! On top of that, it’s based on a true story. Lovely tale for its target age group of 8-12. Can’t wait to read more from Margi Preus!

A beautifully written and inspiring novel that bridges history and fiction.

Heart of a Samurai is a beautifully written and inspiring novel that bridges history and fiction. It offers readers a unique perspective on cultural understanding and personal growth. Manjiro’s story is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, making it a perfect read for those interested in adventure, history, or stories about finding one’s place in the world.

11 year old son loved it

I carpool my 11 year old son and his friend and they both really enjoyed the story. They thought it was really cool that it is based on a true story.