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.

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.

I bought this book for my daughter when I was 5 months pregnant with her and over the years I have read it to her once and awhile, but now she is 6 years old and it has become one of her favorate books and we are always on the look out for more good age approrate Women's History books because the good ones and few and far between and this is one of the good ones.

A woman dressed in ankkle length blomers arrives in Seneca Falls, NY, in 1851. People are shocked. Women have been bound by corsets and floor length dresses "that sweep the floor." The town fathers read a book called, "Ruling a Wife," which praised wives who "submit and obey." Excuse me! Elizabeth Stanton embarrassed her son by wearing bloomers to his school. Amelia Bloomer printed a picture of these liberating and comfortable garments in her newspaper, "The Lily." "Women needed freedom not only from drunken husbands but also from cumbersome, crippling clothes." Women were "not parlor ornaments or mere playthings for man," and that a woman is "man's equal, and not his slave." Allowing women to run for office and to vote was Bloomer's radical thought. Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony traveled the country speaking for woman's rights, wearing bloomers. Before theeir speeches began they were spreading the concept that women be allowed choices and equal rights. I am 50. When I was a child, women were not allowed to wear pants in the workplace. No pantsuits. No kidding. Rhoda Blumberg's book makes this piece of history come alive. Mary Morgan's illustrations are a treat.

We lived in Japan and I homeschooled when I first read this book. Much more interesting way to learn about the opening of Japan than through a text. Another excellent book that is a great companion to this one is "Born in the Year of Courage."

Its a very good book!!!It has alot of detail on the Japanes life in the very old days of the world.Its the best you can get!!!!

"What's the Deal: Jefferson, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase" explains the story behind the greatest land sale in the history of the world from the perspective of both the United States and the French Empire of Napoleon, as well as from that of historical hindsight. Rhoda Blumberg sets the stage for the transaction in the aftermath of the French and Indian War, when France lost part of the vast American wilderness to England and gave the rest away to Spain. After the American Revolution settlers from the former colonies were continuing to move into the region. In the early years of the 19th century American President Thomas Jefferson envisioned the borders of the United States stretching across the continent to the Pacific Ocean, while in France, the rising military hero Napoleon Bonaparte planned nothing less than the conquest of the entire world.

What young readers will get out of this National Geographic Society volume is how relatively little people and events can end up changing the course of history and the importance of context. Blumberg examines the historical record and argues that because of the "Black Napoleon," Toussaint L'Ouverture (the hero of the tiny French colony of St. Domingue, now Haiti), an outbreak of yellow fever, and storms off of the coast of Holland ended up in the Louisiana Purchase. Additionally, we are halfway through the book before the subject of purchasing the Louisiana Territory is even put on the table. The first half of "What's the Deal" looks at the deterioration of Franco-American relations after the American Revolution, and particularly after the French had their own revolution, Reign of Terror, and found Napoleon ruling the country and plunging the European continent into war. The second half details the curious chain of events that led to the clearly unconstitutional purchase

This book is illustrated with historic etchings and paintings, including some marvelous examples of early political cartoons, including one of Napoleon taking a bath and the famous one showing the American Eagle saving the Constitution from being thrown on the flaming "Altar of Gallic Despotism" by Jefferson. The back of "What's the Deal" contains a Time Line and a Map of the present-day boundaries of the 15 states created entirely or in part from the Louisiana Purchase, along with the traditional Notes, Bibliography, and Index. Blumberg was interested in this subject because it represented not only a turning point in American and global history, as well as because it also involved two dynamic and important figures in Jefferson and Napoleon. But in the end she amply demonstrates that big historical events have little causes as well. This book is an excellent choice for any young student required to research the Louisiana Purchase for class.

SEE *Starred Review of "School and Library Journal --- a rave review. eg. quotes: The author makes an exciting and suspenseful tale out of the negotiations" ..."Students of polotical science and American history will welcome this title." Book written by Newbery Honor winner, and recpient of many prestigious awards.

Rhoda Blumberg brings in the many aspects, peoples, andcultures involved in building the transcontinental railroad, andconsiders it from many view points. A wonderful way to learn about this important part of American history.

The first time I read Rhoda Blumberg's First Reference book, "Monsters," in the fourth grade, I was fascinated. This is the book that steered my hobbies to reading, in particularly about unexplained phenomena, whether I believed it or not.
Just like an encyclopedia that misses no details, Blumberg's "Monsters" broadly covers unexplained creatures, sightings, and age-old legends and myths. From the infamous Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster, to more obscure unexplained phenomena like Mothman, the Florida Skunk Ape, and even Minotaurs. The book also explores each creature or legend's first sightings or origins while still interesting the reader.
It is a shame that Rhoda Blumberg's "Monsters" is out of print. I recommend it for young readers interested in the unexplained. Like me, even if they don't believe in it, the book takes an interesting look at the origins of many different legends.