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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Heart of a Samurai


In 1841 a Japanese fishing vessel sinks. Its crew is forced to swim to a small, unknown island, where they are rescued by a passing American ship. Japan’s borders remain closed to all Western nations, so the crew sets off to America, learning English on the way.
Manjiro, a 14-year-old boy, is curious and eager to learn everything he can about this new culture. Eventually the captain adopts Manjiro and takes him to his home in New England. The boy lives there for some time and then heads to San Francisco to pan for gold. After many years, he makes it back to Japan, only to be imprisoned as an outsider. With his hard-won knowledge of the West, Manjiro is in a unique position to persuade the emperor to ease open the boundaries around Japan; he may even achieve his unlikely dream of becoming a samurai.
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14 comments:

  1. F2CarrOctober 2, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    This book looks incredible, and I am excited to continue reading this book. I think that it is very well written as oppose to others I have read. From only having looked at hte cover this was an amazing idea to read. This proves the old saying wrong.

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  2. F2shumateOctober 2, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    Although I haven't read this book yet,it sounds and looks good and I can't wait to read it!
    I think, from the front and back description,it is about a boy that is caught in a storm and then transforms.......

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  3. F2CarrOctober 2, 2013 at 7:30 PM

    This book was amazing to read. Every word was bringing a great since of excitement, and I had a great time reading. I think that if you are interested in serious biographies this book is for you. I thought that the book told the story of Manjiro''John Mung''Nakahama in a dramatic way that keeps you hooked. It also shows how independent the world was from one another at that time as opposed to our modern society. I learned a lot of things from this book that I won't soon forget.

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  4. c6BoydOctober 4, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    Only on the second page and I am absolutely pulled into the story. Hope the story is amazing!

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    Replies
    1. F2CarrOctober 14, 2013 at 9:44 AM

      It really is an amazing book

      Delete
    2. c6brumfieldOctober 30, 2013 at 1:22 PM

      It is an amazing book you will love it.

      Delete
    3. c6jamesNovember 19, 2013 at 1:19 PM

      You wiil love it!

      Delete
  5. F.6BaderOctober 10, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    I got to page 51, and it's pretty good, but I have a question for someone who has completed this story. Does it get any better? Just don't give any spoilers.

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    Replies
    1. c6brumfieldOctober 24, 2013 at 1:04 PM

      Yes F.6Badder it gets a whole lot better, you'll see.

      Delete
  6. c6brumfieldOctober 24, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    I think it was an amazing book! The begining might be confusing but don' stop. It will be an amazing book.

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  7. F2vissageOctober 25, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    I just started reading this book and I can already tell it is going to be good. The first chapter really makes it start out really good.

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  8. c6jamesNovember 19, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    I loved this book! Ilove how they belive in demons with blue eys. Its very fun to read. I recomend it!

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  9. c6jamesNovember 19, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Oh no barbarions!

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  10. c6youngNovember 19, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    this is a great book it is scary i would hate for my ship to go down in the middle of the deep ocean.

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