Samurai Shortstop
Alan M. Gratz
Feb 2008 · Sold by Penguin
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About this ebook
AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS • In the competitive world of a Tokyo boarding school in 1890, young Toyo searches for his place among ancient traditions and the burgeoning modernization of Japan.
“A memorable chronicle of boys’ inhumanity to boys, and a testament to enduring values in a time of social change.”—Booklist, starred review
“A full-count, bases loaded baseball book . . . Fast moving, culturally respectful, and flat-out engrossing.”—The Bulletin
High school can be brutal, even in turn-of-the-century Japan.
From his first day at boarding school, Toyo Shimada sees how upperclassmen make a sport out of terrorizing the first-years. Still, he’s taken aback when the seniors keep him from trying out for their baseball team—especially after he sees their current shortstop. Toyo isn’t afraid to prove himself; he’s more troubled by his uncle’s recent suicide. Although Uncle Koji’s defiant death was supposedly heroic, it has made Toyo question many things about his family’s samurai background. And worse, Toyo fears that his father may be next. It all has something to do with bushido—the way of the warrior—but Toyo doesn’t understand even after his father agrees to teach it to him.
As the gulf between them grows wider, Toyo searches desperately for a way to prove there is a place for his family’s samurai values in modern Japan. Baseball might just be the answer, but will his father ever accept a “Western” game that stand for everything he despises?
“A memorable chronicle of boys’ inhumanity to boys, and a testament to enduring values in a time of social change.”—Booklist, starred review
“A full-count, bases loaded baseball book . . . Fast moving, culturally respectful, and flat-out engrossing.”—The Bulletin
High school can be brutal, even in turn-of-the-century Japan.
From his first day at boarding school, Toyo Shimada sees how upperclassmen make a sport out of terrorizing the first-years. Still, he’s taken aback when the seniors keep him from trying out for their baseball team—especially after he sees their current shortstop. Toyo isn’t afraid to prove himself; he’s more troubled by his uncle’s recent suicide. Although Uncle Koji’s defiant death was supposedly heroic, it has made Toyo question many things about his family’s samurai background. And worse, Toyo fears that his father may be next. It all has something to do with bushido—the way of the warrior—but Toyo doesn’t understand even after his father agrees to teach it to him.
As the gulf between them grows wider, Toyo searches desperately for a way to prove there is a place for his family’s samurai values in modern Japan. Baseball might just be the answer, but will his father ever accept a “Western” game that stand for everything he despises?
AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS • In the competitive world of a Tokyo boarding school in 1890, young Toyo searches for his place among ancient traditions and the burgeoning modernization of Japan.
“A memorable chronicle of boys’ inhumanity to boys, and a testament to enduring values in a time ...
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Ratings and reviews
12 reviews
Brendan Owens
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April 23, 2013
I do not like to read, but this book was less of a pain to read than most I'm forced to read for my honors English class. It was actually half decent.
Seth Mangroo
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June 11, 2016
The front cover doesn't look that appealing but when you start reading it you'll never be able to put it down it's so good!👍
About the author
Alan Gratz was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. After a carefree but humid childhood, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing and later a Master's degree in English education. In addition to writing plays, magazine articles, and a few episodes of A&E's City Confidential, Alan has taught catapult building to middle schoolers, written more than 6,000 radio commercials, and lectured as a Czech university. Currently, Alan lives with his wife Wendi and daughter Jo in the high country of western North Carolina, where he enjoys reading, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, watching baseball.
Alan Gratz was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. After a carefree but humid childhood, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing and later a Master's degree in English education. In addition to writing plays...
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