Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

The advantage of belonging to a book group is that you read books that you may never have discovered on your own. The advantage of being in two book groups doubles the number of those books.

Heart of a Samurai is based on the true story of a Japanese boy (Manjiro) and his fishing mates who are stranded on an island during a storm in the mid-19th century. They are found and rescued by an American whaling ship.

The rest of the book is the story of Manjiro and his life. He goes back to America with the captain of the ship that rescues him. We learn of his life there. It is thought that Manjiro was the first Japanese person to live in the United States. Some of Manjiro's art is included in the book. I don't want to give away any more of the book.

This is a thought-provoking book, examining how it feels to be a stranger in a strange land. It also explores the thought that we can become what we desire, even if it seems impossible.

I recommend it!

2011 winner of the Newbery honor award.