Customer Reviews

Shipwrecked!: The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rhoda Blumberg does a fantastic job of telling the story of fourteen-year-old Manjiro's life. He was rescued with a bunch of shipwrecked fishermen. In those days Japan did not allow foreigners into Japan. Japanese who had left Japan were not allowed back in.

Manjiro was rescued by an American whaling ship, taken to Hawaii, and then to New England by the ship owner. What happened to him then sounds so fantastic, it is hard to believe it is all true.

The author uses Manjiro's drawings and authentic photographs of the time. It is amazing to think how much difference Commodore Perry's visit to Japan made in the lives of the people.

This book is sure to catch the fancy of the young biography readers.

This is a GREAT story--it would be edge-of-the-seat exciting if it were just that--but being based in fact makes it doubly compelling. Also, a great book for boys who otherwise might not be avid readers. Tell them it's quite an adventure story. That they will learn some history and of differing cultures can remain your own little secret.

My girls, 6 and 8, couldn't wait to continue reading this book each day. It is so much more than a biography and is very readable. Besides an indepth look at the life and times of Manjiro, AKA John Mung, it is a wealth of information about Japan, whaling, and culture (and cultural change) without a textbook feel. I agree that it should be made into a movie (if it hasn't and I just don't know about it). This book is infused with many black and white photographs, paintings, prints, and drawings -- including sketches by John Mung. If using this in a classroom or homeschool environment, this is a great jumping-off point toward such varied subjects as Moby Dick and whaling, samurai, Commodore Perry, ships, Japanese history and culture, Hawaii, and even the California Gold Rush. This was riveting and gives the reader (even young ones!) a deeper understanding of Japan and the times surrounding Manjiro/John Mung's life. Pair this up with How to Be a Samurai Warrior (How to Be); You Wouldn't Want to Sail on a 19th Century Whaling Ship!: Grisly Tasks You'd Rather Not Do (You Wouldn't Want to...);Step Into... Ancient Japan (The Step Into Series);Exploration into Japan (Exploration Into); or Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun

EDIT 1/19/2011 If you want to read more...there is a new (2010) historical fiction book called Heart of a Samurai Heart of a Samurai -- about the adventures of Manjiro Nakahama. It has received favorable reviews and we plan to read it soon!

Shipwrecked (Book Review)

A boy's manhood is at stake. Manjiro gets marooned on an island by a deadly storm. He is saved but by completely different people, Knowing he can never return to his home. He travels to America and learns English. Then one day Manjiro decides to go back and is thrown in prison. Later he gets promoted to samurai and lives happily. Shipwrecked is a fun to read nonfictional book. I would recommend this book for people who like reading stories about the sea and Japan.
Manjiro was always independent and had to be or his family would face the consequences. He started being even more independent when he looked out for his friends on the island by looking for food and scanning the terrain. Manjiro also decided by himself what to do on his own was when he decided to go to school and learn even though he was sixteen. He was the first one to ever think about going back to Japan even when he knew the consequences. So he went to get gold in California To raise money to go back.
Manjiro was unique in many ways. He thought differently than anybody else. He somehow beat the odds when he came back to Japan when he didn't get executed by his government. In that time Japan was an isolated country that killed anyone who entered the country. If you left you would never be able to come back, but in Manjiro's case he was able to. Instead he got promoted to samurai. Manjiro beat the odds in education also. He learned English in a matter of months when he never even went to school before in his own country! If you don't think that's unique you're crazy! He also took care of older people when he was only a young boy. When he took care of his family and took care of his older friends on the island 300 miles away from the Japanese shore are two examples.
Manjiro persevered all throughout his life. Especially through school and his very own survival. The ship that rescued them off the island wouldn't have found them without Manjiro's perseverance because when the ship was turning away he kept waving until he got the ship's attention. That's one of the ways he saved his life. When people weren't giving him enough pay for his work he didn't give up on his family. Instead he ventured off to find a new one and worked harder. Last but not least he persevered all the way through school. Everybody started recognizing his intelligence on the first day of school. Even Manjiro was faced with all those trials when he came back he never quit and so he was the first person to be promoted from peasant to samurai.
The nonfictional book, Shipwrecked, is really fun to read. People who enjoy reading books about Japan and the open sea would surely love reading this book. Manjiro was an independent person from a very young age. He was very unique in many ways. His best trait was perseverance. Manjiro never did deserve all the plight he faced. If I was Manjiro to be honest I would have never gotten off the island and make it through all the events that happened in his life.

D. Bennett

Presenting both historical context and insight into Japanesse society as well as the actual story of Manjiro this is a gripping and short page turner. Acompanied by some beautiful illistrations and pictures, some of which are Manjiro's, the story of Manjiro's abandonment and eventual emmigration to the US is succent and entertaining. While too superficial to be recomended for adults this is an excellent book and deals with pressing themes, such as multiculturalism, isolationism, and the past role of America in foreign affairs.

The illustrations and story are good. However, I was expecting a short novel or at least a "chapter book". This was aimed at young children.

I came across this book while teaching 4th grade history to my son. We borrowed this from the library to help bring our history lesson alive. We loved this book. I wanted my son to finish the book, but not without me. We read the book together and learned a lot as well as stand in awe of what a remarkable man Manjiro was. The story of his life would make a fascinating movie. I highly recommend this book and would love to read it again.

This book is amazing. It is a powerful story told my a magnificent storyteller. Though aimed at ages 9-12, this is a satisfying and fascinating read for all ages. This is one of my favorite books ever. Enjoy!

What a great story which has so much history. I'm recommending this to my daughter's teacher so that they might include this book in their curriculum next year.

This book should be read by every American. It is a tremendous story of hard work and commitment as well as the right person being in the right place at the right time. Interesting and full of adventure, it's a TRUE story that illumines America's history and helps the reader understand the seeds of the global economy we have today. Don't miss this story--you won't find it in many history books or taught in today's classrooms. Educate yourself on true American history while enjoying this intriguing book by Rhoda Blumberg, an engaging author.