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Description
In 1841, rescued by an American whaler after a shipwreck leaves him and his four companions castaways on a remote island, fourteen-year-old Manjiro learns new laws and customs as he becomes the first Japanese person to set foot in the United States.
Quick Summary
Shipwrecked on a remote island in 1841, a 14-year-old Japanese boy becomes the first person from his country to step foot in America, and his journey from castaway to cultural ambassador is absolutely unforgettable. Readers will gasp at the whale hunt scenes, cheer as Manjiro masters English and earns the captain's respect, and feel their hearts break when he must choose between his new American family and returning home to Japan. If your kid likes Hatchet or other survival stories with incredible true histories behind them, they'll be obsessed with this. Perfect for kids in grades 5-7 who love historical fiction about brave outsiders changing the world.