Samurai Shortstop Audiobook

" I'm not usually into either A) baseball or B) samurai, but my attention was captivated by this dense, thought-provoking novel. Samurai Shortstop sets its major theme, the clash of modern Western values with tradition Japan in the 1890s, with the ritual suicide of Toyo's uncle, one of a dying breed of samurai. Throughout the book, Toyo becomes aware of these values in his elite boarding school, and especially through the baseball games that he believes perfectly encompass many of the traditional samurai concepts of working in harmony. An unusual work of historical fiction that likely will be devoured by those who discover its charms. "

" Interesting historical fiction about turn-of-the-century Japan and the clash between tradition and modernization. "

" In the book Toyo family used to be samurai. Since samurai are not allowed anymore aToyo uncle commited seppeku. Toyo is afraid his father will follow. Meanwhile at Ichiko toyo wants to make the baseball team. He is also learning the ways of Bushido. Then in the end he makes the baseball team, his father didnt commit suppeku, and he learned Bushido. "

" Great Book! Gratz does a great job mixing baseball and the japanese culture all into one book! "

" 3rd to 7th grade appropriate "

" Interesting book about a boy in Japan who loves baseball. He goes to a snobby exclusive boys' school(always interesting), and his father is an old-school samurai who doesn't want to accept the new order of Japan in which all are commoners. "

" Japanese baseball in 1890's. What an original theme. Well written, exciting coming of age story, great read for anyone, particularly for baseball enthusiasts. I learned a lot about Japanese culture too. "

" I would have enjoyed this book much more 5-10 years ago. For its intended audience, it is fast-paced and well developed. Possibly under-researched for historical fiction. "

" I had a hard time identifying with and liking the characters of this book. It is a coming-of-age story about a Japanese boy in Japan during the end of the conflict between the traditional samurai and Westernization. Baseball is beginning to be a large part of Japanese culture in the early 1900s. "

" It took me some time to get into this and I didn't like some of the brutality, especially the bullying. However, I really began to like it about halfway. The connection between Samurai bushido and baseball was pretty cool. i think boys, especially those that like baseball, would like this book. "

" I really loved reading this book.Some of the characters got on my nerve.LOL I choose this book for a book report. I randomly chose this book too. I LOVED IT! Totally recommend it!!!! "

" Well, I had a really hard time actually getting through this book. Some of the stuff the characters did in the book was just disgusting, but the ending tied everything in and made me actually almost like this book. I thought it was a good story about change. "

" I didn't like this book at all. The only reason I finished it is because it was for a book report. I don't recommend it to anyone who likes baseball or historical fiction. You would need to be interested in... I don't know what to like it. Don't read it so you don't die of boredom. "

" I was really surprised by this book. It was an interesting combination of baseball, history, friendship, social class differences, and growing up. "

" Audio. Loved this. Historical fiction with wonderful characters. A great boy book. A very interesting story of baseball. A complicated time in Japans history and the author did a great job explaining it and putting it in context. Loved the audio-great reader. "

" I really liked this book, it was a fast read and really fascinating. I know nothing about the samurai, and it was a great intro to that topic. "