{"product_id":"samurai-shortstop-paperback","title":"Samurai Shortstop - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eAlan M. Gratz\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAN 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. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A memorable chronicle of boys' inhumanity to boys, and a testament to enduring values in a time of social change.\"--\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A full-count, bases loaded baseball book . . . Fast moving, culturally respectful, and flat-out engrossing.\"--\u003ci\u003eThe Bulletin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHigh school can be brutal, even in turn-of-the-century Japan. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs 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?\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlan Gratz\u003c\/b\u003e 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\u0026amp;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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 288\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 x 8.2 x 5.4 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 14, 2008\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuiz Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Samurai Shortstop\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Middle Grades, 4-8\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.9\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n            ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51858681725216,"sku":"9780142410998","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/bMT6yeQKLD9780142410998.webp?v=1781582125","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/samurai-shortstop-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}