Our reviewer practically dares you to read one of this year’s Newbery Honor winners: “What’s the title? It’s Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus, but seriously, you wouldn’t like it. I mean, why would you want to read about a kid thrust into a situation that would scare the pants off of most people, when you won’t even try peas?”
It’s a true story based on the life of Manjiro, a Japanese fishing boy, and we loved talking with Preus at ALA 2011 about why she chose this true story to become her first YA book:
What is your favorite novel based on a true story?
Heart of a Samurai came out a year ago, but it’s still one of our favorite middle grade novels. Have you read it? Will you?
For more author interviews from ALA 2011, visit our YouTube channel.
