Born in the Year of Courage [Library Binding]

Emily Crofford (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

In 1841, having been shipwrecked and picked up by an American whaling ship outside Japanese territorial waters, fifteen-year-old Manjiro decides to go live in America and work towards opening trade between his country and the West.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- The hero of this historical novel is a Japanese fisherman who figured prominently in early U. S.-Japanese relations. Commencing with Manjiro's 13th year, when a disastrous fishing expedition left him stranded on an uninhabited island, readers follow the young man's life from his rescue by an American whaling ship, subsequent education in the U. S., pursuit of a seafaring career, adventures in the California Gold Rush, and triumphal (if at first precarious) return to his native land. An introduction skillfully details Japan's historical isolation, placing the novel in context, and an epilogue briefly describes Manjiro's role in Commodore Perry's negotiations. This is a great story, and Crofford brings out all its drama, realistically depicting the anxieties of the marooned fishermen, exciting storms at sea, grizzly whale hunting, and the character of Manjiro himself. His intelligence and curiosity, his ever-changing relationships with the Americans in his life, and, above all, his courage are all carefully and excitingly depicted. A vivid adjunct to social studies, and pleasure reading at its best, this is a riveting slice of history. --John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 160 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books; 1st edition (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876146795
• ISBN-13: 978-0876146798
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,295,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Loved This Book!, November 23, 2007

By 

40winkzzz "Home Educator" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born in the Year of Courage (Paperback)

I read historical fiction to my husband & pre-teen kids nearly every evening, and this book is one of our recent favorites. Based on the life of a real person, Born in the Year of Courage chronicles the adventures of a young Japanese man who is marooned on an island and later rescued by an American ship. As exciting as that is, what happens after his rescue is every bit as intriguing. Yes, we gained some valuable insight into the mindset of early-19th-century Isolationist Japan, but what kept us coming back night after night was the story. Manjiro's gripping narrative of survival and self-discovery had not only my kids, but my husband as well, repeatedly begging for "just one more chapter" before bed. It was, as they say, a "very good read".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, September 20, 2010

By 

Rebecca J. Rivera - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born in the Year of Courage (Library Binding)

This book is in additional reading in my son's history (Story of the World book 4.) As part of his langauge arts (we homeschool) I am having him read at least one additional book with each history chapter. He chose this book this week and is really enjoying it. He read 7 chapters today and didn't want to put this book down.

I read it before he did and was impressed with the strength of the main character (not physical strength, but character.)

My son is 12 years old and in 7th grade.