Born in the Year of Courage

by Emily Crofford

In 1841, having been shipwrecked and picked up by an American whaling ship outside Japanese territorial waters, fifteen-year-old Manjiro decides to go live in America and work towards opening trade between his country and the West.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, School, Childrens, Japan, Asia, Geography

160 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Emily Crofford (born 1927) is an author of books for children. She is best known for her 1991 book "Born in the Year of Courage."

Reviews

[Cherisa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little middle school level bio of a Japanese village boy marooned with fishing companions for about 6 months on a deserted island. Rescued by an American whaler, Manjiro integrates into the crew, learns English, learns to read and write, and is then adopted by the captain. The arc of Manjiro’s story is interesting and the author has done a nice job keeping it understandable and believable for 5th or 6th graders who might be interested in Japan, whaling or any boy adventure tales. Based on a true story.

[Joanna Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud for Japan study, kids really enjoyed it. Fairly historically accurate (based on other 3 other sources we consulted on Nakahama Manjiro), although it does add a lot of fictional dialogue.

[Louis Z c1]

I honestly really liked this book, I was never really interested during the isolation of Japan but this book has made me more curious and I've begin reading more books and artiles about this topic

[Gloria Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating and exciting tale of a Japanese boy in the late 1800’s who finds himself in adventure after adventure which lead him around the world. What’s so winning is that he is clever, observant, and respectful. Those traits serve him well in all his adventures.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A biography for young children about Nakahama Manjiro, a poor fisherman of Japan's "commoner" class who, after being shipwrecked on the island of Torishima in 1841 during Japan's period of isolation, was rescued by the American whaler ship John Howland and brought to Honolulu. Manjiro then went to live in Massachusetts, learned English, and ten years later returned to Japan and worked as a translator and interpreter to help open up trade between Japan and the United States in 1853.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the true story of a 15 year old Japanese fisherman who survives after a shipwreck on an island off the coast of Japan. He is rescued by American and returned home enabling Commodore Perry to gain access to Japan (which had been closed off to most of the world for years).

A glimpse at Japanese fishing customs in the mid-1800s as well as Japanese coastal life. Could be used to study. other cultures from a historical perspective. Classroom library 4th through 6th grade.

[Kathi Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical novel is very impressive. We start with a 15 year old Japanese fisherman and see how he and some friends survive a shipwreck. They landed on a rock with few resources. They did find the skeleton graves of previous people who got stranded there. Manjiro helps with their survival and ends up being the person who helped end the isolationist and feudal systems that lasted for centuries.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. ⭐️
I enjoyed this book a lot. I was somewhat near crying at one point, and I liked the fact that it was historically accurate. (As far as I can tell😄)
My favorite character was probably Mr. Whitefield. (I think that was his name, idk, but it started with White😅) p.s. I this was my brother's school book, but I went ahead and picked it up so I would suggest this book for anywhere between 9-13.

[Robin Rhine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children and I love this book!!! The true story adventure of Manjiro was captivating and very informative. A look into Japan in the mid-1800s and the seclusion edicts that isolated the country. My reading was interrupted multiple times with "Wait.... this actually happened??". My children are left in complete awe of Manjiro's remarkable life.

[Emily]

My 12 year old son read this for school and he actually put aside all other homework/responsibilities to finish this book early. That is saying a lot for him (he reads a lot for school, but not necessarily out of desire to do so.) He told me so much about it afterward that I figured I should probably read it myself. Another great book curated by Sonlight!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. My boys (ages 9 and 7) and I enjoyed this based-on-a-true-story book. It correlated well with our history study and kept our interest.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book and described the life of manjerro well and who he went on great adventures and helped change japan

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely unaware of Manjiro's existence until I read this book. I learned so much without realizing it. This will be very enjoyable for you if you love history!

[Sarah Kochert · Rating 3 out of 5]

read to children for eastern hemisphere studies. great for studies like this.

[Crystal Harbuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational book. Thank you to Sonlight for having it in the curriculum. I wouldn't have known about it otherwise.

[Katie Brohard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great story and well written. I read the whole book in two days. It has a few more typos than I'd like to see in a published work but otherwise, avery good book.

[Hazel]

Read for school.

[Alexis Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts slow, but it’s an important story. I had forgotten just how recent feudal Japan had ended. It was still going strong in the 1800’s.

[Samantha Zurbrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for Croz’s BookShark. It was meh, a little boring.
Quote I loved:
“The nightmares are the most strange. I am making mistakes. I cannot do anything right. And all are going to die because of me. But when the storm was actually happening, I didn’t not have such thoughts.” The captain glanced over at him “They were there” he said “You were just too busy to notice them. That’s why they come out later in the form of nightmares. “

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born in the Year of Courage was a great book. It was about a group of Japanese men who went sailing and got shipwrecked on an island. They had to find food. They also found albatross, a turtle and seagrass. When finally, a group of Americans came to save them. The Japanese thought they were barbarians. They were actually nice and they brought them to where they needed to go. This book was a great read. It was as though I was in their adventure, their shipwreck, and cave. Once you start this book you can't stop.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the life of a real person, Born in the Year of Courage is the story of a poor, fifteen-year-old fisherman named Manjiro who, in 1841, was marooned on an island with his crewmates and later rescued by an American whaling ship. Since the American ship was not allowed to enter Japanese territorial waters, Manjiro and the others knew the only thing they could do was stay aboard the whaler.

When the whaler leaves Hawaii, the other fishermen choose to stay in that tropical paradise, but Manjiro follows Captain Whitfield. Manjiro is raised by the Whitfields as a son. He learns English, attends school, and signs on as second mate and navigator on board another American ship. Extremely hard-working and loyal, Manjiro remains true to both his Japanese and his American families, and as an adult works tirelessly to open Japan to contact with the rest of the world.

This book, geared towards pre-teens, is just as interesting to read for adults. Crofford shares much information into the lives of the Japanese in the first half of the nineteenth century as well as what life aboard a whaling ship was like. The chapters concerning the shipwreck and being marooned on a rather barren island are gripping.

Manjiro, a simple man whose culture didn't allow him to have a surname, is a truly inspiring person who believed that oceans link countries, not separate them, and he spent his life working for what he believed in. I am a long way from being a pre-teen, but I was very impressed with the power and insight of this book.

[Michelle Albanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! I read this book aloud to my 12-year old daughter as part of her history studies this year. It is based on a real person and events. That always makes it more interesting to me. Manjiro was a fifteen-year-old Japanese boy who, in 1841, was marooned on an island with his crewmates of a whaling boat. After being rescued by an American whaling ship, Manjiro and the others are taken to America because American ships are not allowed in Japanese waters so they can't return them to their home.

While the other fishermen chose to stay in Hawaii, Manjiro follows Captain Whitfield to his home and is raised by the Whitfields as a son. He gets an education and decides to sign onto another whaling ship. He is extremely smart and hard-working. Manjiro is also resourceful and always comes out on top of his many adventures. What he truly wants is to open up Japan for trade with the rest of the world. But if he returns, he may be killed or thrown into prison.

This book is intended for preteens, but I really enjoyed it too. We also read "Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun" and Manjiro is mentioned in it as well.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, along with my youngest, just finished reading this excellent story based on a true account of Japanese fishermen who were shipwrecked in the mid 1800's, rescued by an American whaling ship and tried to get back to Japan. However, because Japan at the time was entirely closed to the outside world, anyone who ever left the country for any reason, was never allowed to return, on penalty of death. This remarkable story of "Manjiro" is fascinating in its scope. Read in conjunction with Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun brings multiple dimensions to the story and the history of Japan. This is a book specifically written for children, junior high level, but definitely worth a quick read for adults interested in the story. Highly recommended.

[Carol E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a kid's book about a young teen boy from Japan who gets ship wrecked and then, after rescue, experiences many other adventures. It's based on a true story of a man who lived with courage and humility.

The book gave me an interesting thumbnail history of Japan, and the main character was an impressive person. This book would surely be a good historical/creative fiction book for a younger person.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true account of a lesser know historical figure - I had never heard of him before - this was a quick account of his experiences. It seemed a little rushed at times, but I think that was because of it's intended audience (juvenile). I loved having the details of his story so that when he is referenced in other works we are reading, we know something about this man that helped Japan open its ports and proverbial door to foreigners in the second half of the 19th century.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into the life of a shipwrecked fisherman from Japan and how he strives to return to his homeland with the knowledge of the outside world and how he impacts Japan's forthcoming trade relations with other countries.

[Leichty Library]

Copies: 1

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Moved kinda slow.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Kids level, but gives good info in an easy to read way.