Heart of a Samurai in Mock Newbery 2026

Apr 26, 2013 Jan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I’ve been sitting here for almost an hour writing my thoughts about this book, all of which I just erased. None of what I wrote sounded like me. I was trying to write something terribly witty and profound, but that’s not me. So……..here's my not witty or profound thoughts.

Heart of a Samurai is historical fiction, or maybe I should say historical/biographical fiction since the author noted that it is based on the life of a real person, real events, and a real time in history. One of the things tha I’ve been sitting here for almost an hour writing my thoughts about this book, all of which I just erased. None of what I wrote sounded like me. I was trying to write something terribly witty and profound, but that’s not me. So……..here's my not witty or profound thoughts.

Heart of a Samurai is historical fiction, or maybe I should say historical/biographical fiction since the author noted that it is based on the life of a real person, real events, and a real time in history. One of the things that I love so much about historical fiction is that I am finally learning all this history that I previously had no knowledge of and now find so fascinating. I actually hated history when I was in school. All we did was memorize dates and the presidents in order. At least that’s all I remember. I was so bored. If you gave me a history book to read I would find it dry and boring and be asleep after the first page. But now after reading this book I know that for 250 years Japan was a closed society where no foreigners were allowed and that any Japanese citizens who went abroad, or even past a certain distance from Japan could be executed upon returning. Japanese children were taught that Westerners were blue-eyed demons and barbarians. When Manjiro and his friends are rescued by the American whalers they find everything about them strange-their bizarre way of sitting on chairs with their legs swinging under them, eating with a fork instead of chopsticks, and their strange clothing with buttons and pockets. On the flip side the whalers viewed Manjiro and his friends as pagans and cannibals and spies. One of the things that I appreciated most about Heart of a Samurai is that neither side was portrayed as being right or wrong, but showed us that people from both cultures at times need to work at understanding each other's perspectives.

What I loved about Manjiro was that he dared to dream of a life different from the one he was born into. Captain Whitfield explained to Majiro that America is the land of opportunity, where men can fulfill their hopes and dreams. In Japan, Manjiro had never thought about such things; if your father was a fisherman, you too, were a fisherman, and so it went, from generation to generation. Manjiro constantly asked questions and was interested in everything. He wasn’t afraid of new people, new experiences, or even a new way of life. He was the kind of student we all love having in our classrooms. He loved to learn and was like a sponge soaking up every bit of knowledge that he could.

I loved that the author included a very helpful glossary in the back with Japanese words, whaling terms, and sailors' lingo. It really helped me understand many of the book's references. I think anyone who likes historical fiction or is interested in Japanese culture, the history of whaling, or just a good, action-packed, adventure story will find this novel very interesting.
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Jun 04, 2011 Sarah rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-historical, audio

In the year 1841, 14-year-old Manjiro and his fisherman friends are washed ashore on a remote island after a storm destroys their boat. Luckily, an American whaling ship finds and rescues them before they starve to death.

The captain of the whaling ship and Manjiro soon form a bond (which was unusual in that time because the Japanese and the Americans didn't normally like or trust each other) and he offers to take Manjiro back to America with him as his son. This leaves Manjiro to decide whether ...more

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Apr 04, 2017 Anna rated it really liked it

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this historical fiction based on the life of Manjiro, a 14 year old Japanese fisherman, who is shipwrecked with his friends and rescued by an American whaling boat. It provides an interesting perspective on the clash of cultures in the 1840s. I loved the notes from the author at the end, and drawings from the real Manjiro's journals. I felt the author tried to stay very true to his journals, and as a result the main character did not grow and have as much depth as he could h ...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Bekah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: tween-falls-under-children-and-ya

Awesome historical fiction about a Japanese boy. I love the drawings inserted throughout! Great look into racial prejudices occuring between two different cultures and how one person really can make a difference. *Mom, I think Dad would really like this one if he's not too busy with work. ...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Karen Gibson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2011-111-book-project

For someone whose least favorite book of all time is Moby Dick, it came as a surprise to me how much I liked this Newbery Honor book which was also set in great part on a whaling ship. Heart of a Samarai was a great read.

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Jul 21, 2011 Krystal rated it liked it

3.5 stars. Another Newbery Honor this year. Amazing true story of the first Japanese man to see America. I think this would be an awesome book to use in the classroom, and I enjoyed it. It just wasn't my favorite. ...more

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Mar 04, 2011 Holly rated it really liked it

Shelves: 8-10-years, 11-14-years, boys, read-2011

I liked this account of a young Japanese boy who is ship wrecked and later rescued by an American Whaling ship. Based on a true story. Lovely illustrations.

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Mar 29, 2014 Lorna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens, fiction-historical, fiction-adventure-survival, newbery-medal, fiction-multicultural, a-z-challenge-2014

What a great story! This book begs to be read aloud as it reads like poetry. It has a high interest level and is very rich in history (based on a true story). Highly recommended for anyone.

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