Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun
Rhoda Blumberg
HarperCollins
From School Library Journal  Grade 5 Up Blumberg's book succeeds on two levels. First it is a well-written story of Matthew Perry's expedition to open Japan to American trade and whaling ports. The account is sensitive to the extreme cultural differences that both the Japanese and Americans had to overcome. Especially good are the chapters and paragraphs explaining Japanese feudal society and culture. The text is marvelously complemented by the illustrations, almost all reproductions of contemporary Japanese art, underscoring the unbiased approach of the book. On the second level, the book is a well-researched chronicle of the events of the trip. Blumberg has gone to the original sources to capture the sights, emotions, reactions and even tastes of both the Japanese and Americans. Yet she has not neglected the political and economic importance or mission of Perry's trip. The notes, appendixes and bibliography show a carefully thought out book which holds valuable information for sophisticated readers. There is no better book for students on this historical event. John Buschman, Solanco Senior High School Library, Quarryville, Pa.   Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.    About the Author  Rhoda Blumberg has written about the opening of Japan (1853-1854) in Commodore Perry in the *Land of the Shogun,* a Newbery Honor Book, which also won the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and the Golden Kite Award. Her acclaimed histories also include *The Incredible Journey of Lewis & Clark, The Great American Gold Rush,* and *The Remarkable Voyages of Captain Cook,* all ALA Notable Books. She is the winner of the *Washington Post/*Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to nonfiction.   Rhoda Blumberg says that while doing research for *Commodore Perry,* "I read about the ordeals and strange adventures of Manjiro, then spent years replaying his life story in my mind until I felt impelled to write about him."   The author and her husband, Gerald, live in Yorktown Heights, New York.