The Bamboo Sword

Set in 1853 Japan, this captivating novel follows Yoshi, a young boy from the serving class who aspires to become a samurai. His journey intertwines with that of Jack, a cabin boy from Commodore Matthew Perry's ship, who becomes separated from his crew during an explosive period of foreign trade negotiations. As Yoshi and Jack embark on a thrilling adventure to reunite with the American ship, they navigate the complexities of duty, friendship, and cultural conflict.