Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

 

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Historical Fiction

Ages 10-12

Grades 5-7

301 pages – hardcover

c. 2010

            Heart of a Samurai is a novel based on the true story of Manjiro, a 14-year-old Japanese fisherman and his four companions whose boat was destroyed in a storm in 1841. They manage to swim to a deserted island and remain there for a long time. At the point of starvation, a whaling ship rescues them and offers to take them to America since Japan is closed to foreigners and natives who have left the islands. Manjiro is curious and eager to learn new things, often asking questions. He quickly learns English and catches the attention of Captain Whitfield, who eventually adopts him and brings him home to Massachusetts. Manjito continues to learn many new things, while also encountering the prejudice of many people. He eventually goes to San Francisco to pan for gold and get enough money to return to Japan. When he does return, he encounters suspicions of being a spy and is imprisoned for quite a while. Eventually he manages to convince the emperor of his innocence and to ease open the boundaries around Japan.

          While there are points of high adventure in the story, especially during the storm that destroys their boat, this is more a novel of historical fiction than an adventure story. The author includes extensive historical notes, a glossary of Japanese words, terms, and places, whaling terms and parts of a ship, and sailor’s lingo. There is also a bibliography and suggested reading as well as illustrations of Manjiro’s pencil drawings.

            The story is told from the perspective of 14-year-old Manjiro, who eventually takes the American name of John Mung. Though only a lowly fisherman Manjiro dreams of one day becoming a samurai, an impossibility in Japan. The five sections of the book begin with a quote from The Book of the Samurai. The quote that best describes Manjiro’s attitude toward life is, "Have your whole heart bent on a single purpose." This is how he approaches surviving life on the island, being a crew member on the whaling ship, dealing with the prejudices and hostility he meets in Massachusetts, the hardships of looking for gold out west and the imprisonments he endures in Japan. In the end Manjiro was united with his family and did achieve the rank of a Samurai. Heart of a Samurai is a 2011 Newbery Honor book.

            

Call of the Wraith by Kevin Sands

Call of the Wraith by Kevin Sands

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure

Age - 11-14

Grade- 6-9

494 pages - hardcover

c. 2018

      

         The Call of the Wraith is the fourth book in the Blackstone Key Adventure Series. The author has indicated that there will be a fifth book and possibly more, but the fifth book is not out yet. In this book Christopher has been shipwrecked and separated from his friends Tom and Sally. He has been taken in by a kindly Devonshire farmer but has lost all his personal memories. He can remember facts but he doesn’t know who he is or anything about his past. He has been seriously ill for thirteen days and the villagers believe he has been possessed by an unseen evil. He regained consciousness only after being visited by the local witch. There are also dark, mysterious things happening in the area. Children have gone missing and the local people believe it is the White Lady, a ghost or wraith from local legend that has returned and is taking the children. A mysterious little girl, who will not speak, has also turned up in the village and is being cared for by the same kind farmer.

            Eventually Christopher is reunited with Tom and Sally, who managed to stay with the ship during the terrible storm which caused Christopher to be thrown overboard. Christopher believes that trying to find the missing children is connected to him receiving his memories. The three friends, together with the mysterious little girl they call Moppet, set out to solve the mystery. They believe that Moppet must have escaped from whoever is taking the children.

            Some dark topics, such as witches and witch trails and missing children, are explored in the book but they are balanced by themes of friendship, loyalty and humor. When Christopher, Tom and Sally are trapped inside an evil tower and Christopher explains his escape plan Tom replies, “The fact that we keep ending up in places where we need gunpowder is not something to be proud of.” There is also a very moving scene where Christopher and Tom are trapped atop a cliff facing an angry and dangerous band of Barbary pirates. Each one knows it is very likely that they will die but neither one is willing to abandon his friend. Moppet and Tom develop a very special friendship. He is the only one she trusts and she literally clings to him for much of the book. Tom, for his part, is extremely loving and gentle with her. He grew up with several little sisters who he loves dearly. Finally, throughout the entire series, there is a continuation of the warm and loving relationship between Master Benedict and Christopher. After Benedict’s death, which happens in the first book, there are times when Christopher is in danger or discouraged and he hears in his mind his master speaking words of guidance or comfort to him.

            There is plenty of action, plot twists and excitement in this book. There are less codes and puzzles to solve but the mystery of the missing children takes a lot careful thinking to unravel. The historic elements of the witch trials and the Barbary pirates are well done and add realism and interest. The Raven, mentioned in book three, is mentioned briefly in the beginning and at the end of the book, but it looks like we will have to wait until book five to find out more about him. Keep reading.

Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson

Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson

Realistic Fiction

age - 11-13

grade 6-8

300 pages, hardcover

c. 2016

         Ms. Bixby’s Last Day is the kind of book that can make you both laugh and cry, sometimes almost at the same time. It is the story of an extraordinary 6^th grade teacher, described by her students as “one of the good ones," and her relationship with three of her students. These three students, Topher, Brand and Steve, are quite different from each other yet they are close friends. The story is told from each of their perspectives in alternating chapters. In this way you begin to understand what Ms. Bixby means to each of them and what they mean to each other.

            Near the end of the school year Ms. Bixby announces to her class that she will not be able to finish out the school year. She is sick with pancreatic cancer. However, a final class party will be planned for her last day. Unfortunately, she is unable to come back for it. Topher, Steve, and especially Brand are devastated by this news and come up with a daring plan to give her an unforgettable day, complete with all the special things she shared with the class that she would like to have if she knew when her last day on earth would be. This was a writing prompt for the class. Her list included a special and expensive white-chocolate raspberry supreme cheesecake, French fries from McDonald’s, wine, a picnic on a grassy hill with friends and music from Tchaikovsky or Beethoven. Topher also decides they need a copy of The Hobbit so Ms. Bixby can finish reading the book to them.

            The way the three boys manage to acquire almost all these things is like 

 watching a slapstick comedy routine along with several heartbreaking moments. There are the descriptions of the cheesecake after it has spent the day in Steve’s backpack, “now looks like a giant, heaping turd of white and red Play-Doh mixed together. I’m guessing the heat and the running caused it to soften and then be repeatedly smashed into the sides of the box, taking a beating with every step. It’s a deformed monster of a dessert now. The hunchback of cheesecakes.” There are chase scenes, the stand off in the alley with the man who ran off with their money and tense moments between the friends. In the end, however, they band together and support each other and arrive at the hospital to complete their mission.

            How and why Ms. Bixby is so special to each of the boys is slowly revealed. She happened to see Brand one snowy day struggling with bags of groceries to bring home to his disabled father so there would be food in the house. She became his weekly ride to the grocery store. Topher noticed her one afternoon after school retrieving his artwork out of the trash because she appreciated his talent, something his over busy parents failed to notice. Ms. Bixby stands up for Steve during a conference with his over achievement-oriented father. She encourages Steve to be himself, enjoys his nerdiness and celebrates his achievements.

            This is a book about friendship and loyalty, about learning to identify one’s strengths and appreciate the different strengths of others. It is also about the love and gratitude shown to an incredibly special teacher. This book is, in my opinion, “one of the good ones.”

            A few final thoughts. I think the portrayal of the three boys was done exceptionally well. They are well developed with all their strengths and weakness in a realistic way. They can be generous and self -sacrificing and can do incredibly stupid and sometimes dangerous things, typical of middle school students. For this reason, as well as the fact that Topher reveals the Tooth Fairy is a fake, I would not recommend this book for younger students.

           

Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander

 

Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander

Fantasy, Adventure

Ages 9-12

Grades 4-7

          Taran Wanderer is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain series and may be my favorite, though I love the entire series. In this book, more than any other, Taran comes to a much deeper and clearer understanding of himself. Taran has always wanted to be noble, and increasingly so, as his love for Princess Elloway grows. Not knowing his identity, he sets out with faithful Gurgi to find the Mirror of Llunet.

            As Taran wanders through the length of Prydain he meets a wide variety of characters, from local rulers and a king to a wide range of craftsmen, a mad wizard, and a ruthless mercenary. From each one he learns valuable lessons about life and about himself. King Smot offers Taran to be his heir and Taran is tempted to accept the offer at first. Later Taran acquires the jewel that gave the mad wizard Morda his incredible power. Once again Taran is tempted to keep this power for himself, but he realizes that by right it belongs to the fairies and that a thing of such great power is not safe in any humans’ hands. Perhaps the greatest struggle Taran faces is with his encounter with the lame shepherd Craddoc. After Taran has helped him Craddoc tells him that he is his lost son. The tale seems probable, yet Taran is crushed to learn he is of lowly birth. Desperately wanting to leave, Taran stays, even to the point of saving Craddoc’s life after he falls over a cliff. In the end Craddoc admits the truth that he made up the story because he needed Taran’s help. At this point Taran decides not to continue his quest to find his heritage. He realizes it is not by birth that one becomes noble but by what one makes of himself.

            The last part of the book involves Taran’s journey through the Free Commons, a land of craftsmen who live independent of any lord. Here Taran learns the skills of a blacksmith, a weaver, and a potter. He also continues to learn many life lessons, the joys of humble labor, the patience of learning a craft, and the realization that none of these crafts bring him the fulfillment he is seeking.

            There is so much wisdom interwoven in this story combined with humor and great characterization. So many of the people Taran meets on this journey are well developed and we see Taran gradually leaving behind his self-preoccupation to develop into a mature man, with skills of true leadership. Without being didactic, this is a great story for young people learning to journey into a more mature understanding of themselves.

            There are fewer major battles in this book, as the major battle is the one going on inside Taran. Still, there are plenty of adventures and Taran is forced to defend himself against several enemies. When he finally does gaze into the Mirror of Llunet he sees himself, with the good and the bad that is within him. This helps him accept his orphan status and ignoble birth. He is no longer ashamed of himself and ready to accept his station in life. He remarks, “the folk of the Free Commons taught me well that manhood is not given but earned.” With that understanding he decides to return home to Caer Dallben.

 

The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz

                                            The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz

Sports Fiction, Historical Fiction

Ages 9-12

Grades 4-7

299 pages - paperback

c. 2009

     The Brooklyn Nine is a story about a German, Jewish immigrant family and their love of baseball that covers nine generations. The story begins when Felix Schneider arrives in Brooklyn, New York in 1845 and end with Snider Flint, the nephew of the owner of a memorabilia shop in 2002. The book is arranged by nine innings or chapters, corresponding to each generation. Within each chapter there are three sections or outs.

Love of baseball, Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Doger’s are in the blood of the Schneider family. Each chapter features a particular family member, often boys but sometimes girls as well. Along with the history of baseball current events are also brought into the story along with real historical figures. Through the years the Schneider family dodges bullets on a Civil War battlefield, witness the establishment of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, pitch a perfect game and deal with the devastating loss of family and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Through it all, one thing remains true: the bonds of family are as strong as a love of the game.

Along with the family story of each chapter the current issues and concerns of the times are presented. The struggles of immigrants are highlighted in the opening chapter. Felix also meets Andrew Cartwright, who helped found the Knickerbocker Baseball Club. In helping the Knickerbocker Volunteer Fire Department fight a major fire in Manhattan Felix injures his legs and can no longer run or play baseball. He then decides to make a baseball with a wine cork as center and twine and thread wrapped around it and the leather from his shoes damaged in the fire. He scratched a small S for Schneider on the baseball.

Stuart Schneider inherits his father’s homemade baseball and gets to play a game of baseball in Spotsylvania, Virginia during a lull in the fighting during the Civil War. Mike “King” Kelly was one of the first baseball stars and a hero to Arnold Schneider, but sadly when Arnold finally gets to meet him in 1894, he finds out that Kelly has become a drunk and has also run off with the special baseball bat that Arnold’s father had given him. Religious and racial discrimination is explored in the story of Walter Schneider in 1908. His family is barred from a hotel while they are on vacation because they look Jewish and Black Americans are barred from playing major league baseball. Walter meets Cyclone Joe Williams who was perhaps the greatest pitcher of that time. Because of his race he never played in the majors. Francis Schneider loves the Brooklyn Doger’s, and she is also a wiz at math. In 1926 she meets John Kieran, journalist for the New York Times sport section. In 1945 Kate Schneider plays for the Grand rapid Chicks in the All-American Girls Baseball League.  In 1957 Jimmy Flint, her son, faces his fears of the bully in his classroom and the threat of the Cold War. Michael Flint, in 1981, find himself pitching a perfect game during the Little League season at Prospect Park. Finally, in 2002 Snider Flint is having to deal with a lot of disappointments and a bad attitude. The old family house was destroyed by fire, and they are forced to share a small apartment with his uncle Dave. Snider broke his leg escaping the fire. His Uncle Dave finally insists he help in his antique shop by finding out the story behind several baseball items. This assignment changes a lot of things for Snider and at the end he gets to keep the baseball his ancestor Felix made in 1845 although he does not know that.

A good read and not just for baseball fans. There is humor, heartbreak, and action and a cast of very real and diverse characters. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age – 10-13

Grade – 5-8

336 pages, hardcover

c. 2015

           A Night Divided, set in Berlin in 1961, is the story of then 8 year- old Gerta and her family waking up to find a barbed wired wall dividing their city. Her father and older brother Dominic are on the other side of the wall and cannot come back. Most of the story occurs four years later when Gerta, now 12, notices her father on the viewing platform of the wall making motions from an old song he used to sing to her involving digging. She concludes that he is asking her and her brother Fritz to tunnel under the wall.

            Attempting to escape Soviet controlled East Germany is extremely dangerous. Her best friend’s brother had tried to escape in the trunk of a car but was found and killed at the border. Now the whole family was under suspicion and being closely watched. Gerta’s mother has not the courage to do this and even her brother Fritz thinks her idea is crazy. However, Gerta is more like her father, who was involved in the resistance, and is determined to try. Eventually her brother joins her in this nearly impossible effort.  

            Nielsen does an excellent job of portraying the fear and resignation of many of the East Germans. Anyone could be a spy and trusting the wrong person could have disastrous results. Gerta and Fritz realize after a while that their apartment is bugged. Because of their father’s past political activity their family is being watched. To make matters worse it is almost time for Fritz to report for mandatory military duty. Tension continues to build throughout the story and since Gerta is the narrator the reader is drawn right into the action.

            This is a story about courage, perseverance, and the will to survive but it also a story of strong family dynamics. Even when they disagree about things, they are fiercely loyal to one another. Their mother is very against any attempt to try and escape to the west but when she realizes what Gerta and Fritz have accomplished she joins wholeheartedly in the effort. When Gerta or Fritz are exhausted, discouraged, or fearful the other one is there to support, encourage or do some of their work. Their love for one another is evident throughout the story and so is their desire to help their friends. In the end their hope, courage, and determination inspire others. In detailing a lesser known period of history, A Night Divided is also a story of true friendship, kindness, generosity, sacrifice, and regrets

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

 

 

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

Fantasy, Adventure

ages - 9-12

grades -4-7

206 pages, paperback

c. 1966

              The Castle of Llyr is a change of pace from the dramatic tension that ended The Black Cauldron. It deals with Princess Eilonwy’s background, introduces some new characters, and continues to show Taran’s growing maturity and self-awareness.  

            The story begins as Eilonwy is reluctantly preparing to travel to the Island of Mona to be trained as a proper princess by the king and queen there. Unbeknown to Eilonwy they also expect her to marry their son, prince Rhun. Taran is unhappy about her departure as he begins to realize how much he cares for her. Shortly after her arrival she is kidnapped with the help of the evil Chief Steward Magg and delivered into the hands of the evil enchantress Achren. Eilonwy is from the ancient and powerful house of Llyr whose women were powerful sorceresses. Achren hopes to use her powers to restore herself to a position of power.

            Much of the book describes the attempts of Taran, Gurgi, Fflewddur, Gwydion, and Prince Rhun to rescue Eilonwy. Prince Rhun is an interesting combination of a cheerful, good natured person and clumsy and naïve bungler who is often the cause of more problems. Taran’s relationship with him is further complicated by the fact that he is jealous of his potential relationship with Eilonwy and has promised his father, the king, to look after him and bring him back safely.  During their adventures the companions, except Gwydion, are trapped in a hut by a gigantic cat, Llyan, who has a great liking for Fflewddur’s harp playing and in a cave occupied by a depressed giant named Glew. When they finally reach Eilonwy they discover she is under an enchantment and does not recognize any of them.

            Though there is plenty of adventure I feel the real focus of the book is the growth of the characters Rhun, Taran and Eilonwy. Through his adventures, failures, and successes Rhun grows in self awareness and in the end is capable of great love and self - sacrifice. As Taran sees this he can put aside his jealousy and impatience with Rhun and accept him as a friend and companion. Perhaps the greatest change occurs in Eilonwy. At the start of the story she is the same strong willed, opinionated girl who likes getting her own way. At the end she is still strong willed but is using her will to save herself, her friends, and all Prydain at great personal cost. Again, without being didactic, Lloyd Alexander shows the superiority of humble self-sacrifice over the quest for power and glory.