by Janice P Nimura
Partial Synopsis from Bas Bleu: In 1871, as part of a grand modernization effort, the newly restored Meiji government in Japan sent five young women to the United States to study Western ways. Three of them remained for ten years, each trading her traditional samurai upbringing to live with a host family as a typical American schoolgirl.
My thoughts: I found this book to be utterly fascinating! When the girls first board the ship bound for America, the youngest one is only 7 years old and none of them can speak English. How overwhelmed they must have felt! Ten year later, when they returned to Japan, they struggled with their native language. With their perseverance, though, girls in Japan were given educational opportunities beyond elementary school moving Japan toward much better conditions for women across their society. I definitely recommend this book!
What have you been reading?
😉 -Marci
