BookDragon Blog

It’s been awhile since I carried a book around all day because I couldn’t put it down, reading even in two-minute snatches while waiting at those loooonnnng red lights! So I’m not at all surprised that Margi Preus‘s debut novel (she already has numerous children’s picture books to her name) was awarded a 2011 Newbery Honor. Well-deserved ‘whoo-hoooo!’ indeed!

Across the top of the cover, you’ll see Samurai is “a novel inspired by a true adventure on the high seas.” Indeed, Manjiro Nakahama was a real-life, mid-19th-century Japanese fisherman (fisherboy, actually) who survived a shipwreck with four others, was rescued by an American whaler ship, was Anglicized as John Mung, traveled the world, lived and went to school in Massachusetts, managed to return to his homeland, and against all odds became a samurai.

But that’s just a skeletal outline. Preus takes those minimal details and convincingly, entertainingly recreates Manjiro’s life from when he was washed away from his country’s shores when Japan was ‘closed’ to all outside contact and influence, and returned home just in time to participate in one of the most important historical periods of modern Japan. Samurai is not only a heart-thumping adventure, but a richly-layered story of a once isolated boy who experiences both the wonder and disappointment of discovering new faces, a new language, a new family, and most definitely a strange new culture in a brave new world.

Much to Preus’s credit, Samurai is historically accurate (her research is meticulous, complete with historical notes, glossary, bibliography, and further reading) and historically sensitive; she is careful to show the glories and challenges of both the American and Japanese cultures with balanced awareness. Plus – a surprisingly wonderful big plus! – her page-turning prose is further illuminated by the interspersed drawings by Manjiro himself, as if he’s adding his own stamp of approval to Preus’ story.

Two details I must add: 1. The book’s cover art (which I rarely point out) is a delight (again, as if Manjiro himself is giving approval – just look at that mischievously inviting expression!), thanks to artist Jillian Tamaki, who co-created the memorable Skim with her cousin Mariko Tamaki; and 2. Preus’ agent (again something I don’t remember publicly noting before) is Stephen Fraser, a great-great-great-grandson of Nathaniel Bowditch (you’ll have to read the book and the acknowledgements to find out why that little fact is such a serendipitous ‘gawh!’-moment!).

So start reading already … you can’t help but approve (cheer, whistle, clap …!), too!

Readers: Middle Grade, Young Adult

Published: 2010