Play Audiobook Sample
Heart of a Samurai Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.63) - 16 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
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. "Preus mixes fact with fiction in a tale that is at once adventurous, heartwarming, sprawling, and nerve-racking ."-Publishers Weekly
Download and start listening now!
"Newbery honor book this year. Really liked it...spurred me to read more about the real man this book was based on. "
— Ally (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Preus mixes fact with fiction in a tale that is at once adventurous, heartwarming, sprawling, and nerve-racking.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“With superior pacing and crisp pronunciation of Japanese names and words, Yaegashi creates an engaging listening experience. The action-filled scenes aboard whaling ships, as well as the everyday experiences on the farm in America, will hold listeners’ attention.”
— School Library Journal
Awards
-
A 2010 Publishers Weekly Best Book: Children's Fiction
-
A New York Times bestseller
-
Selected for the Autumn 2010 Kids' Indie Next List
-
A 2011 Newbery Honor Book
Heart of a Samurai Listener Reviews
-
" winner of a newbery honor metal - Based on the true story of a Japanese boy. I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't read it again. "
— Kristi, 10/11/2011 -
" Really good middle school book. Boys and girls loved it. "
— Zara, 10/3/2011 -
" As a history major, definitely approve this historical fiction based on true events :-) "
— Suzanne, 9/17/2011 -
" it's okay but kind of boring in the middle-in the end there is not enough information too about the war ... It also didn't tell why they are fighting , who won and what manjiro did during the war -it was just adventurous-that's why I gave 3 stars > < <br/> O "
— Lanny, 8/21/2011 -
" A very good book about an important a man who helped make a difference in Japan. "
— ghostlibrarian, 8/12/2011 -
" 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. "
— Krystal, 7/21/2011 -
" An excellent adventure enhanced by being based on a true story. A wonderful read!! "
— Marsha, 7/21/2011
About Margi Preus
Margi Preus is a children’s book author and playwright. Her first novel for young people, Heart of a Samurai, was named a 2011 Newbery Honor Book, an ALSC Notable Book, and a recipient of the Asian Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, among other honors. Her picture books include Celebritrees; Historic and Famous Trees of the World, winner of the 2013 Flicker Tale Award.
About James Yaegashi
James Yaegashi has appeared in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions, film, and television roles. He was also a popular radio disc jockey in Japan. He is a four-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for audiobook narration, and his voice-over credits include a featured role in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.