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Prisoners of the Empire #4
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat
“A gripping saga of wartime survival.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Based on a true story, this World War II novel by Scott O’Dell Award winner Graham Salisbury tells how Zenji, 17, is sent from Hawaii to the Philippines to spy on the Japanese.
Zenji Watanabe was born in Hawaii. He’s an American, but the Japanese wouldn’t know it by the look of him. And that’s exactly what the US government is counting on.
Because he speaks both English and Japanese perfectly, the army recruits Zenji for a top-secret mission to spy on the Japanese. If they discover his true identity, he’ll be treated as a traitor and executed on the spot.
As World War II boils over in the Pacific, Zenji is caught behind enemy lines. But even though his Japanese heritage is his death warrant, it’s also his key to outwitting the enemy and finding the strength to face the terrors of battle, the savagery of the jungle, and the unspeakable cruelty of war.
The riveting Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is based on a true story and follows in the path of author Graham Salisbury’s other highly acclaimed Prisoners of the Empire titles, which began with the award-winning Under the Blood-Red Sun.
"Salisbury has once again crafted a fine novel, based on an actual person, about first-generation Americans of Japanese descent and the clash of culture and national identity that World War II accentuated. . . . The story will leave readers spellbound." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"Fast-paced and compelling, this title will be enjoyed by voracious and reluctant readers." —SLJ
"The history is fascinating, and Zenji is a fictional hero readers will long remember." —The Horn Book
Based on a true story, this World War II novel by Scott O’Dell Award winner Graham Salisbury tells how Zenji, 17, is sent from Hawaii to the Philippines to spy on the Japanese.
Zenji Watanabe was born in Hawaii. He’s an American, but the Japanese wouldn’t know it by the look of him. And that’s exactly what the US government is counting on.
Because he speaks both English and Japanese perfectly, the army recruits Zenji for a top-secret mission to spy on the Japanese. If they discover his true identity, he’ll be treated as a traitor and executed on the spot.
As World War II boils over in the Pacific, Zenji is caught behind enemy lines. But even though his Japanese heritage is his death warrant, it’s also his key to outwitting the enemy and finding the strength to face the terrors of battle, the savagery of the jungle, and the unspeakable cruelty of war.
The riveting Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is based on a true story and follows in the path of author Graham Salisbury’s other highly acclaimed Prisoners of the Empire titles, which began with the award-winning Under the Blood-Red Sun.
"Salisbury has once again crafted a fine novel, based on an actual person, about first-generation Americans of Japanese descent and the clash of culture and national identity that World War II accentuated. . . . The story will leave readers spellbound." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"Fast-paced and compelling, this title will be enjoyed by voracious and reluctant readers." —SLJ
"The history is fascinating, and Zenji is a fictional hero readers will long remember." —The Horn Book
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
27 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Graham Salisbury
32 books99 followersGraham Salisbury comes from a 100-year line of newspapermen, all associated with Hawaii's morning paper, the Honolulu Advertiser. Although a career as a newsman could have been possible, Salisbury chose to imagine rather than report. "I enjoy writing about characters who might have been. To me, exploring fictional themes, situations, and lives is a quietly exhilarating experience. There are times when completely unexpected happenings take place as my fingertips walk the keyboard, things that make me laugh or get all choked up or even amaze me."
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."
His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.
Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."
His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.
Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 14, 2014
Zenji Watanabe is 17 years old in the summer of 1941, a Nesei born on Honolulu to Japanese parents. Naturally, he is fluent in both Japanese and English. He has also just graduated from high school and is thinking about studying Buddhism in Japan, Meanwhile, he was working to help support his family - mother, older brother Henry, younger sister Aiko, father deceased.
All that changes when Zenji's JROTC commanding officer Colonel Blake shows up at his house one day. He wants Zenji to be interviewed and tested, but for what? To travel to the Philippines to translate some documents from Japanese to English.
But when Zenji arrives in Manila, he is instructed to stay at the Momo, a hotel where Japanese businessmen like staying, to befriend them and keep his ears and eyes open. He is given the key to a mail box that he is required to check twice a day to be use for leaving and receiving information and instructions. Zenji is also given a contact person, Colonel Jake Olsten, head of G2, the Military Intelligence Service, and even a code name - the Bamboo Rat.
In December 1941, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and the war in the Pacific begins. It isn't long before the Americans are forced to withdraw from Manila. Zenji chooses to remain, giving his seat on the last plane out to another Japanese American with a family. Not long after that, he is taken prisoner by the Japanese, who torture and threaten him trying to make him admit he is the Bamboo Rat, and considering him a traitor to his county - Japan.
Eventually, the Japanese give up and Zenji is sent to work as a houseboy/translator for the more humane Colonel Fujimoto. Fujimoto seems to forget that Zenji is a prisoner of war, and begins to trust him more and more.
By late 1944, it's clear the Japanese are losing the war in the Pacific. They decide to evacuate Manila and go to Baguio. Even though food is in short supply, Zenji starts to put some aside for the day he may be able to escape into the jungle and wait for the war to end.
But of course, the best laid plans don't always work out the way we would like them to and that is true for Zenji. Will he ever make it back to Honolulu and his family?
WOW! Graham Salisbury can really write an action-packed, exciting and suspenseful novel. Salisbury was born and raised in Hawaii, so he gives his books a sense of place that pulsating with life. Not many authors explore the Japanese American in Hawaii experience during World War II and not many people realize that they were never, for the most part, interned in camps the way the Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians on the west coast of the US and Canada were. And although Hawaii was only an American territory until it became a state in 1959, if you were born there, you had American citizenship, just like Zenji continuously tells his Japanese captors throughout Hunt for the Bamboo Rat.
At first, I thought Zenji was too gentle, too innocent and too trusting for the kind of work he was recruited to do, which amounted to the dangerous job of spying. But he proved to be a strong, tough character even while he retained those his aspects of his nature. Ironically, part of his survival as a spy and a POW is based in what his Japanese Buddhist priests had taught him before the war.
One of the nice elements that Salisbury included are the little poems Zenji's mother wrote. Devising a form of her own, and written in Kanji, it is her way of expressing her feelings. They are scattered throughout the book. Zenji receives one in the mail just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and keeps it with him as long as he can, deriving comfort from it.
Like the first novel I read by Salisbury, Eyes of the Emperor, one kept me reading straight through until I finished it. It is the fourth novel in his Prisoners of the Empire series, and it is a well-crafted, well-researched story, but it is a stand alone novel. Zenji's story is based on the real wartime experiences of Richard Motoso Sakakida.
True to form, Salisbury brings in a lot of history, along with real people and events, but be careful, fact and fiction are seamlessly woven together. He also includes the tension between the Filipino people and the Japanese after the Philippines are occupied by the Japanese and the cruel treatment of the Filipino people. And included is the tension between Chinese and Japanese in Hawaii because of the Nanjing massacre of Chinese civilians in 1937/38.
All of this gives Hunt for the Bamboo Rat a feeling of authenticity. There is some violence and reading the about Zenji's torture isn't easy, so it may not appeal to the faint at heart.
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is historical fiction that will definetely appeal to readers, whether or not they particularly enjoy WWII fiction. And be sure to look at the Author's Note, the Glossary and additional Resources at the end of the novel.
This book is recommended for readers age 12+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally posted at The Children's War
All that changes when Zenji's JROTC commanding officer Colonel Blake shows up at his house one day. He wants Zenji to be interviewed and tested, but for what? To travel to the Philippines to translate some documents from Japanese to English.
But when Zenji arrives in Manila, he is instructed to stay at the Momo, a hotel where Japanese businessmen like staying, to befriend them and keep his ears and eyes open. He is given the key to a mail box that he is required to check twice a day to be use for leaving and receiving information and instructions. Zenji is also given a contact person, Colonel Jake Olsten, head of G2, the Military Intelligence Service, and even a code name - the Bamboo Rat.
In December 1941, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and the war in the Pacific begins. It isn't long before the Americans are forced to withdraw from Manila. Zenji chooses to remain, giving his seat on the last plane out to another Japanese American with a family. Not long after that, he is taken prisoner by the Japanese, who torture and threaten him trying to make him admit he is the Bamboo Rat, and considering him a traitor to his county - Japan.
Eventually, the Japanese give up and Zenji is sent to work as a houseboy/translator for the more humane Colonel Fujimoto. Fujimoto seems to forget that Zenji is a prisoner of war, and begins to trust him more and more.
By late 1944, it's clear the Japanese are losing the war in the Pacific. They decide to evacuate Manila and go to Baguio. Even though food is in short supply, Zenji starts to put some aside for the day he may be able to escape into the jungle and wait for the war to end.
But of course, the best laid plans don't always work out the way we would like them to and that is true for Zenji. Will he ever make it back to Honolulu and his family?
WOW! Graham Salisbury can really write an action-packed, exciting and suspenseful novel. Salisbury was born and raised in Hawaii, so he gives his books a sense of place that pulsating with life. Not many authors explore the Japanese American in Hawaii experience during World War II and not many people realize that they were never, for the most part, interned in camps the way the Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians on the west coast of the US and Canada were. And although Hawaii was only an American territory until it became a state in 1959, if you were born there, you had American citizenship, just like Zenji continuously tells his Japanese captors throughout Hunt for the Bamboo Rat.
At first, I thought Zenji was too gentle, too innocent and too trusting for the kind of work he was recruited to do, which amounted to the dangerous job of spying. But he proved to be a strong, tough character even while he retained those his aspects of his nature. Ironically, part of his survival as a spy and a POW is based in what his Japanese Buddhist priests had taught him before the war.
One of the nice elements that Salisbury included are the little poems Zenji's mother wrote. Devising a form of her own, and written in Kanji, it is her way of expressing her feelings. They are scattered throughout the book. Zenji receives one in the mail just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and keeps it with him as long as he can, deriving comfort from it.
Like the first novel I read by Salisbury, Eyes of the Emperor, one kept me reading straight through until I finished it. It is the fourth novel in his Prisoners of the Empire series, and it is a well-crafted, well-researched story, but it is a stand alone novel. Zenji's story is based on the real wartime experiences of Richard Motoso Sakakida.
True to form, Salisbury brings in a lot of history, along with real people and events, but be careful, fact and fiction are seamlessly woven together. He also includes the tension between the Filipino people and the Japanese after the Philippines are occupied by the Japanese and the cruel treatment of the Filipino people. And included is the tension between Chinese and Japanese in Hawaii because of the Nanjing massacre of Chinese civilians in 1937/38.
All of this gives Hunt for the Bamboo Rat a feeling of authenticity. There is some violence and reading the about Zenji's torture isn't easy, so it may not appeal to the faint at heart.
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is historical fiction that will definetely appeal to readers, whether or not they particularly enjoy WWII fiction. And be sure to look at the Author's Note, the Glossary and additional Resources at the end of the novel.
This book is recommended for readers age 12+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally posted at The Children's War
February 26, 2018
The historical fiction novel Hunt for the Bamboo Rat by Graham Salisbury is about a young Japanese-American man whose name is Zenji Watanabe and lives in Hawaii in 1942. That is, until the diplomatic relations with Japan break-down to the point where he is recruited by the US Army to spy on Japanese business men in the Philippines. Then, one day, the japanese bomb Pearl Harbour and invade the Philippines, and he becomes trapped in Japanese held territory all alone with the Japanese army. This book, however, is more than just a World War 2 novel. There is a definite theme to this book, and it has to do with the human spirit and perseverance. He keeps trying to get information, even when getting repeatedly mugged, but a better example is on, pages 207 through 217. On those pages, he is tortured by a rather violent Japanese colonel, yet gives no information. This theme is shown again on 285 when he must summon his willpower clean his wound and get out of the Jungle. The quote goes, “With willpower he couldn’t believe he had, Zenji pushed himself through the fire bellowing from his wound.” I would say this is a good book.
January 13, 2015
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat by Graham Salisbury is a fascinating book full of suspense and courage. The author paints a vivid picture, and I feel like I am right next to the main character, Zenji, watching as the events unfold before my eyes. I really liked how the author made the plot ever-changing, and you never know what’s about to happen. I would recommend this book to people who love suspense and historical fiction.
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat takes place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. The book starts before the war, but there is uncertainty about what will happen between US and the Japanese as tensions increase. Because of this, Japanese Americans are considered second class citizens in America. Zenji lives with his mother, brother, and sister in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Right after high school, Zenji is sent by the US Army to spy on Japanese businessmen staying in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. All is quiet, until the war starts. He has to escape with the Army to an island called Corregedor. Being a Japanese American, he knows that if he gets captured, he will be treated worse than the other soldiers. Also, he has no training on combat, and almost no experience in the army.
One of the elements that makes this book so exceptional are the strong characters, who develop and change over the course of the book. One of my favorite characters is Freddy. He is on the same mission as Zenji and he is always joking and optimistic. Also, Zenji’s family in Honolulu is very supportive and encouraging and they are part of what gets him through his journey. Zenji has a very strong character. He stands up for what he believes in and doesn’t give up. This turns out to be a big theme of the book. At first, he is very scared and doesn’t know what will happen, but as his character develops, he becomes courageous and heroic.
In conclusion, this is a great book for someone who likes adventure and historical fiction. It has strong characters, a suspenseful plot, and a solid theme.
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat takes place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. The book starts before the war, but there is uncertainty about what will happen between US and the Japanese as tensions increase. Because of this, Japanese Americans are considered second class citizens in America. Zenji lives with his mother, brother, and sister in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Right after high school, Zenji is sent by the US Army to spy on Japanese businessmen staying in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. All is quiet, until the war starts. He has to escape with the Army to an island called Corregedor. Being a Japanese American, he knows that if he gets captured, he will be treated worse than the other soldiers. Also, he has no training on combat, and almost no experience in the army.
One of the elements that makes this book so exceptional are the strong characters, who develop and change over the course of the book. One of my favorite characters is Freddy. He is on the same mission as Zenji and he is always joking and optimistic. Also, Zenji’s family in Honolulu is very supportive and encouraging and they are part of what gets him through his journey. Zenji has a very strong character. He stands up for what he believes in and doesn’t give up. This turns out to be a big theme of the book. At first, he is very scared and doesn’t know what will happen, but as his character develops, he becomes courageous and heroic.
In conclusion, this is a great book for someone who likes adventure and historical fiction. It has strong characters, a suspenseful plot, and a solid theme.
November 13, 2015
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat by Graham Salisbury
Written by Adrian Keller-Miller
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is a story about Zenji Watanabe and his experiences of being a spy for the United States during World War II. Zenji’s family immigrated to the United States from Japan, and settled in Hawaii before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Zenji was 21 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Zenji because of his age, and the fact that he was a United States citizen was recruited by the Army to become a spy against Japan. Because Zenji could speak both English and Japanese very well his skills were of value to the U.S Army.
The Army decided to send Zenji to the Philippines to spy for them. Though he was not in combat he was eventually captured by the Japanese Army, and put into prison. After a couple of years he was released from prison, and sent to be a servant to an important General of the Japanese Army. Eventually the island where he was living came under attack by the Americans. The Japanese General fled leaving Zenji and a couple of other servants behind. Zenji went into the jungle to avoid being captured by the Americans who would have thought he was enemy Japanese. He got lost in the jungle, where he had to struggle to survive. His life was likely saved as a result of help he received from a native tribe living in the jungle. Eventually they were able to show Zenji the way out of the jungle and he was found by a U.S. Army patrol. He was taken to a U.S Army base, and recognized as the spy for the United States who had been given the code name Bamboo Rat. It was believed that Zenji had not survived the war, but indeed he had.
I think the author did a good job of telling the story and keeping the readers in suspense. I would recommend Hunt for the Bamboo Rat to anyone interested in historical fiction.
Written by Adrian Keller-Miller
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is a story about Zenji Watanabe and his experiences of being a spy for the United States during World War II. Zenji’s family immigrated to the United States from Japan, and settled in Hawaii before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Zenji was 21 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Zenji because of his age, and the fact that he was a United States citizen was recruited by the Army to become a spy against Japan. Because Zenji could speak both English and Japanese very well his skills were of value to the U.S Army.
The Army decided to send Zenji to the Philippines to spy for them. Though he was not in combat he was eventually captured by the Japanese Army, and put into prison. After a couple of years he was released from prison, and sent to be a servant to an important General of the Japanese Army. Eventually the island where he was living came under attack by the Americans. The Japanese General fled leaving Zenji and a couple of other servants behind. Zenji went into the jungle to avoid being captured by the Americans who would have thought he was enemy Japanese. He got lost in the jungle, where he had to struggle to survive. His life was likely saved as a result of help he received from a native tribe living in the jungle. Eventually they were able to show Zenji the way out of the jungle and he was found by a U.S. Army patrol. He was taken to a U.S Army base, and recognized as the spy for the United States who had been given the code name Bamboo Rat. It was believed that Zenji had not survived the war, but indeed he had.
I think the author did a good job of telling the story and keeping the readers in suspense. I would recommend Hunt for the Bamboo Rat to anyone interested in historical fiction.
July 20, 2015
Even though the writing was very basic, the story was very captivating. Then at the end I found out it was a fictional account based on some real people. After I learned that, I was more judgemental on the basic writing and liked the book less.
May 23, 2019
"Hunt for the Bamboo Rat" is a action packed story written by author Graham Salisbury. This story is based off a teenage boy who is Japanese American that was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Zenji is then asked to join the U.S. army and translate all messages and artifacts the army receives in the war with Japan. Zenji is then troubled to leave as everyone is worried about him until eventually he leaves to make money with the army. Zenji arrives to Manila and becomes the Bamboo Rat along with a new hotel that he stays in. Zenji is taken by the Japanese army and is beaten nearly to death to reveal himself. Zenji stays in it and eventually becomes the translator before escaping and returning home to his family. The backstory is nothing special but Zenjis progression throughout the story is Zenji being a shy, nervous guy that becomes confident and a leader is very compelling. The continuous mentioning of the Bamboo rat and Zenjis reaction were very dramatic and nice storytelling moments. The beating the Japanese army gives Zenji and his feud with them and Colonel Fujimoto is written well. This book is really nice to pass time and very fast paced, but also gives us a very nice story-line. Zenjis progression and journey is amazing to be apart of and some parts make you believe he will die. The backstory isn't really told which i was not a fan of but did not affect the plot. The ending is good and emotional as Zenji is reunited with his family and no longer held captive by the Japanese. I would give this book a 4 out of 5 to people who love fast paced and action packed books along with a amazing story-line that makes the reader sympathetic for Zenji. This book will never make a top 100 or 1o amazing books, and will never be considered a classic but is still a fun book to read to pass time
January 3, 2020
A review of "Hunt for the Bamboo Rat": by Salvador B.C
This story (written by Graham Salisbury) starts in the summer of 1941, with a 17-year old, American-born Japanese boy named Zenji Watanabe (the main character), who just graduated out of highschool. He lived in a neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his mother, his older brother Henry, and his little sister Aiko. He lived a somewhat happy life until World War Two rose tensions between the United States and Japan, before the attack on Pearl Harbor that is. That’s when a U.S military officer and Zenji’s former commanding officer in JROTC, Colonel Blake, arrived to propose an Important assignment for Zenji. Since Zenji spoke both English and Japanese, it was an assignment to serve the U.S government to spy on the Japanese, dangerous in which he would be dead on the spot, if caught.
When reading this book, I was extremely interested in learning what happens next. Each waking moment after the last put me on the edge of my seat. But one thing that really got me involved, was that Zenji was on two sides, and each side pressured him during the raging conflict. I’m sure everyone has been between two sides of a conflict, whether it’s an argument between friends, or family, or even political parties.
All and all, I really enjoyed this book. Not only did this book show relations and strong emotions for each character, it also showed the horrors and trauma of war, I’m sure others would really enjoy learning more about history and it’s impact on the world. But of course, others would not like it for it’s depictions of war, and stuff like that. To conclude this review, I would say that I recommend this book to many others. Interesting novels of historical fiction like this should be read more. And frankly, I hope people will be satisfied with this one.
This story (written by Graham Salisbury) starts in the summer of 1941, with a 17-year old, American-born Japanese boy named Zenji Watanabe (the main character), who just graduated out of highschool. He lived in a neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his mother, his older brother Henry, and his little sister Aiko. He lived a somewhat happy life until World War Two rose tensions between the United States and Japan, before the attack on Pearl Harbor that is. That’s when a U.S military officer and Zenji’s former commanding officer in JROTC, Colonel Blake, arrived to propose an Important assignment for Zenji. Since Zenji spoke both English and Japanese, it was an assignment to serve the U.S government to spy on the Japanese, dangerous in which he would be dead on the spot, if caught.
When reading this book, I was extremely interested in learning what happens next. Each waking moment after the last put me on the edge of my seat. But one thing that really got me involved, was that Zenji was on two sides, and each side pressured him during the raging conflict. I’m sure everyone has been between two sides of a conflict, whether it’s an argument between friends, or family, or even political parties.
All and all, I really enjoyed this book. Not only did this book show relations and strong emotions for each character, it also showed the horrors and trauma of war, I’m sure others would really enjoy learning more about history and it’s impact on the world. But of course, others would not like it for it’s depictions of war, and stuff like that. To conclude this review, I would say that I recommend this book to many others. Interesting novels of historical fiction like this should be read more. And frankly, I hope people will be satisfied with this one.
May 16, 2018
Graham Salisbury is a masterful, award-winning writer--so there's that. But, this book, based on a true story, had me from Chapter 1. It all starts with Zenji Watanabe, a Japanese-American teenager from Honolulu in 1941, who becomes a spy for the US military. His code name is "the bamboo rat." Full of suspense, intrigue, and what I considered authentic events in the midst of war, this book effectively takes readers back in time to WWII in the Pacific. The fear and raw courage associated with the work of a spy, with facing torture, and with never seeing your family again pervades from page to page. Some parts get pretty graphic, but war is pretty graphic. Zenji is a stalwart character--his major flaw is that he learns things too quickly. I highly recommend this novel, especially for those who study WWII or are interested in some of the lost details of what happened in the Pacific during that time.
February 8, 2021
Great story, important story, but poorly written. This book is meant to be for young adults, not toddlers. The YA designation refers to the content, not the tone of the writing. "In 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army killed over a hundred thousand innocent Chinese civilians. Maybe even more." And that quote was from page two! I felt like I was constantly being talked down to. This is either poor writing or poor editing. Either way, this book only gets three stars.
October 18, 2017
I loved this book so much. It was so exiting. It's been a while since I've read something that caught my interest like this. Zenji was a great main character and I could relate to him in many ways. I also hope to he like him in a lot of ways too. I recommend this book if you like action and characters with lots of grit.
June 6, 2018
This fictional look at a Japanese American from Hawaii who becomes an interpreter/spy for the US Army before Pearl Harbor is an interesting read as a survival story and as a glimpse of WWII history. Salisbury based his characters loosely on actual historical figures.
February 14, 2021
Trying to find a good novel featuring the Pacific front for my grade 9 students. This almost fits the bill, just not quite what I'm looking for. I'll add it to our reading suggestions, but not an official part of our literature choices for the unit.
August 26, 2021
3/5. Based on a true story, the tale of a Japanese-American youth living in Honolulu who was sent by the U.S. Army to the Philippines in 1941 to spy on the Japanese. This is a solidly written story, apparently well-researched, written for young adults. But this older adult enjoyed it too.
January 1, 2025
This book was a masterpiece. It was able to put me in a point where I understood where the main character was coming from and all the hardship he had to suffer while during the War. The characters, historical relevance and emotional level are huge in this book and it’s a must recommend for my part
January 17, 2018
An unique phenomenon of Japanese-Hawaiian history during WWII
March 25, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I learned more about the era and adored the characters.
October 7, 2018
Great historical fiction for the age group targeted. Based loosely on true events and person(s).
December 23, 2018
A book suggested by one of my high school students. It was a good read for teen fiction.
September 18, 2019
Good much
August 17, 2021
One of my favorites because these kind of things are my favorite to read about.
March 27, 2023
Great quick read - fascinating and at times, graphic, historical fiction novel. I think I will probably seek out more books by Salisbury if they’re like this one.
February 10, 2025
3.5 stars. I listened to the audiobook.
September 7, 2022
This novel gave me insight into the experience of soldiers in the pacific as that’s where much of the U.S. forces battles in WWII took place.
October 11, 2016
Historical Fiction
February 21, 2017
Salisbury, Graham Hunt for the Bamboo Rat 323 pgs. Wendy Lamb Books (Random House), 2016. $17.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG Violence: PG13+ (military torture)
Zenji is an American born and living in Hawaii. He has been taught to respect his Japanese heritage and speaks fluent Japanese. World war II is sweeping across Europe and the United States is getting ready. Zenji is asked to join a secret division of the army located in the Philippines. Here his translation skills will be useful to discovering information about the Japanese. Zenji will be asked to decide his loyalties, even under extreme duress, decide the fate of those he is surveilling, and to endanger his life on many occasions.
This is historical fiction at its finest. It asks some very important questions about heritage versus the country you were born in in regards to loyalty, deciding what is the right thing to do in harrowing situations, and the costs of heroism. I avoiding reading it because I thought it would be upsetting, but its incredibly engaging and I could not put it down, I had to find out what would happen to Zenji. The descriptions of the places and the character building were some of the best I have read. I like that it deals with a little written about component of World War II and is loosely based on a real person. This is a book for High School only due to the level of military torture described.
HS– ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
Zenji is an American born and living in Hawaii. He has been taught to respect his Japanese heritage and speaks fluent Japanese. World war II is sweeping across Europe and the United States is getting ready. Zenji is asked to join a secret division of the army located in the Philippines. Here his translation skills will be useful to discovering information about the Japanese. Zenji will be asked to decide his loyalties, even under extreme duress, decide the fate of those he is surveilling, and to endanger his life on many occasions.
This is historical fiction at its finest. It asks some very important questions about heritage versus the country you were born in in regards to loyalty, deciding what is the right thing to do in harrowing situations, and the costs of heroism. I avoiding reading it because I thought it would be upsetting, but its incredibly engaging and I could not put it down, I had to find out what would happen to Zenji. The descriptions of the places and the character building were some of the best I have read. I like that it deals with a little written about component of World War II and is loosely based on a real person. This is a book for High School only due to the level of military torture described.
HS– ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
February 20, 2015
In this enthralling, fast-paced young adult novel, we see the unique role Zenji Wantanabe played in World War II. Interestingly, this novel was based on several true stories, mainly that of Richard Sakakida on which Zenji's character is based.
The novel opens in 1941 pre-war Honolulu where as a recent high school graduate, Zenji is working in a warehouse. However, soon fate intervenes in the form of his high school ROTC officer, Colonel Blake. Blake remembered Zenji and his affinity for languages well and recommended his name for a special role. After convincing his widowed mother to allow Zenji to enlist, Zenji is sent to the Philippines. Initially, the Japanese-American Zenji thinks he is to be a translator as he is fluent in both English and Japaneses-language and culture.
Upon arrival in Manilla Harbor, Zenji discovers he is to be a spy. Given orders, he is to integrate himself into the Philippines' thriving visiting Japanese businessmen culture. This worked very much to American Military Intelligence's mission. However, after several months, Pearl Harbor is bombed and shortly thereafter the Philippines is also attacked. Zenji is recalled to base where he assists his commanding officer with translations and interrogations.
In the spring of 1942, the Japanese invade the Philippines Islands. Zenji is told to never admit his military role and say he was only a civilian translator. This is when the action truly begins. We follow Zenji as he moves from military base to military base as the Americans retreat, ending finally at Corregidor in the tunnel system. When the American forces surrender, Zenji is among them. He sticks to his story, but faces unspeakable horrors at the hand of his captors. He spends the remainder of the war in Japanese hands. However, he does find small ways to fight back while in their hands that end in a major event.
The writing in this novel was suburb. The suspense occurred throughout and hooks the reader; one does not simply want to set this book down. Salisbury never revealed the full plans about Zenji's mission until the last-minute, then the assorted history events afterwards and Zenji's roles in them helped keep the suspense going. With the singular focus on one main character, this is very much driven by Zenji's experiences and fears. And since he went through many historic events and was subjected to a variety of the horrors of war, Zenji serves as a way to teach these events to younger readers. Alongside this, many real-life people make cameo appearances, including General Wainwright.
In all, this novel was remarkable and one of the best young adult books I have read in years. I think both young adults and adults would appreciate it. Historically speaking, the events were all covered well. My only thought was that Zenji started out the novel too young to have the role he filled, but he grew into it as events progressed. Also, two of the secondary character's Zenji worked with in the in the beginning of the novel are also based on true stories.
The novel opens in 1941 pre-war Honolulu where as a recent high school graduate, Zenji is working in a warehouse. However, soon fate intervenes in the form of his high school ROTC officer, Colonel Blake. Blake remembered Zenji and his affinity for languages well and recommended his name for a special role. After convincing his widowed mother to allow Zenji to enlist, Zenji is sent to the Philippines. Initially, the Japanese-American Zenji thinks he is to be a translator as he is fluent in both English and Japaneses-language and culture.
Upon arrival in Manilla Harbor, Zenji discovers he is to be a spy. Given orders, he is to integrate himself into the Philippines' thriving visiting Japanese businessmen culture. This worked very much to American Military Intelligence's mission. However, after several months, Pearl Harbor is bombed and shortly thereafter the Philippines is also attacked. Zenji is recalled to base where he assists his commanding officer with translations and interrogations.
In the spring of 1942, the Japanese invade the Philippines Islands. Zenji is told to never admit his military role and say he was only a civilian translator. This is when the action truly begins. We follow Zenji as he moves from military base to military base as the Americans retreat, ending finally at Corregidor in the tunnel system. When the American forces surrender, Zenji is among them. He sticks to his story, but faces unspeakable horrors at the hand of his captors. He spends the remainder of the war in Japanese hands. However, he does find small ways to fight back while in their hands that end in a major event.
The writing in this novel was suburb. The suspense occurred throughout and hooks the reader; one does not simply want to set this book down. Salisbury never revealed the full plans about Zenji's mission until the last-minute, then the assorted history events afterwards and Zenji's roles in them helped keep the suspense going. With the singular focus on one main character, this is very much driven by Zenji's experiences and fears. And since he went through many historic events and was subjected to a variety of the horrors of war, Zenji serves as a way to teach these events to younger readers. Alongside this, many real-life people make cameo appearances, including General Wainwright.
In all, this novel was remarkable and one of the best young adult books I have read in years. I think both young adults and adults would appreciate it. Historically speaking, the events were all covered well. My only thought was that Zenji started out the novel too young to have the role he filled, but he grew into it as events progressed. Also, two of the secondary character's Zenji worked with in the in the beginning of the novel are also based on true stories.
January 2, 2015
Review Copy: purchased
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat begins with conflict, action, and suspense. From the start, Zenji Watanabe lands in dangerous situations and uses his intelligence and sheer determination to work his way through. He faces adversity using what he has learned from his teacher priests. He thought of becoming a priest himself. He has compassion on others and many times he stands firm and peacefully faces his problems as he imagines the priests would – and there are many problems to address.
Zenji runs into street thugs on more than one occasion, he spies on Japanese people, and is trapped behind enemy lines among other dangers. Salisbury keeps the action rolling in this suspenseful survival story. It is a page turner.
The overall tone of the book is fairly serious, but there are a few moments of humor. Zenji’s mother writes Japanese poetry that her children translate into English. Zenji appreciates his mother’s creativity. This is a poem that was posted on the wall of the messy room that Zenji shared with his brother Henry.
Messy
Room like
This must mean
Mongoose came in house
Thinking this place
Is garbage
Can.
As for the serious side of things, the “enemy,” members of the Japanese military, are generally seen in a negative light. Throughout the book though, readers can clearly see the complexity of humanity and the problem with judging someone by racial stereotypes. There are Japanese who behave honorably and those who behave otherwise. Zenji, being compassionate, tends to believe the best of others unless they give him good reason to change that opinion.
One issue I had with the book was the form of English that was used on occasion. One example is a Taiwanese worker in the Philippines. “You no clean good, I whip you,” is one of the phrases he used. What surprised me though was when Zenji then thought or replied in the same manner. He said, “Spotless, I clean um good.” He is a Japanese American who speaks with standard English grammar at most other times. It didn’t really make sense for him to speak like that in those situations, but it happened multiple times. This isn’t a major problem, but it is something that can shake the reader out of the story.
I had difficulty finding anything negative about Zenji. He is quite the hero. He has intelligence, courage, compassion, and strength.
Recommendation: For those who enjoy war stories and adventure, this book would be a great choice and I would say get it soon. Otherwise, borrow it someday.
Review originally posted at Rich in Color http://richincolor.com/2014/11/review...
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat begins with conflict, action, and suspense. From the start, Zenji Watanabe lands in dangerous situations and uses his intelligence and sheer determination to work his way through. He faces adversity using what he has learned from his teacher priests. He thought of becoming a priest himself. He has compassion on others and many times he stands firm and peacefully faces his problems as he imagines the priests would – and there are many problems to address.
Zenji runs into street thugs on more than one occasion, he spies on Japanese people, and is trapped behind enemy lines among other dangers. Salisbury keeps the action rolling in this suspenseful survival story. It is a page turner.
The overall tone of the book is fairly serious, but there are a few moments of humor. Zenji’s mother writes Japanese poetry that her children translate into English. Zenji appreciates his mother’s creativity. This is a poem that was posted on the wall of the messy room that Zenji shared with his brother Henry.
Messy
Room like
This must mean
Mongoose came in house
Thinking this place
Is garbage
Can.
As for the serious side of things, the “enemy,” members of the Japanese military, are generally seen in a negative light. Throughout the book though, readers can clearly see the complexity of humanity and the problem with judging someone by racial stereotypes. There are Japanese who behave honorably and those who behave otherwise. Zenji, being compassionate, tends to believe the best of others unless they give him good reason to change that opinion.
One issue I had with the book was the form of English that was used on occasion. One example is a Taiwanese worker in the Philippines. “You no clean good, I whip you,” is one of the phrases he used. What surprised me though was when Zenji then thought or replied in the same manner. He said, “Spotless, I clean um good.” He is a Japanese American who speaks with standard English grammar at most other times. It didn’t really make sense for him to speak like that in those situations, but it happened multiple times. This isn’t a major problem, but it is something that can shake the reader out of the story.
I had difficulty finding anything negative about Zenji. He is quite the hero. He has intelligence, courage, compassion, and strength.
Recommendation: For those who enjoy war stories and adventure, this book would be a great choice and I would say get it soon. Otherwise, borrow it someday.
Review originally posted at Rich in Color http://richincolor.com/2014/11/review...
May 21, 2018
This is what I thought about the story “Hunt For The Bamboo Rat.” I thought it was a very good story giving us a little bit of an insight on how the military function and what the life of a spy can be like and how hard it can be to be away from home for these soldiers and spies. What happened in the story is Zenji was recruited by the military to be a spy over in Japan because America was about to go to war with them, and, Zenji is sent over to Japan to live as a normal Japanese citizen and look out for other spies and collect intel on the Japanese. He’s then captured by Colonel Fujimoto who tortures Zenji and puts him to work. When America attacked Zenji saw the opportunity to escape and regroup with America while Fujimoto was on the run. Zenji then gets lost in the wood for a long time until finally escaping the jungle. He then finally regrouped with America and was sent home to his family. Zenji changes the way he feels about some things a lot. When Zenji is lost in the woods he has very little food and not much water. Zenji was really hungry and was trying to cook the rest of the food he had, but he was then bombed by someone who we never found out. His food was all destroyed and he had no food left. When Zenji finally regrouped with America and got actual food he realized how lucky he was to have the life that he has. Zenji also furthers the plot because when he is riding with Fujimoto to escape America when Zenji escapes and gets lost in the jungle for a long time he’s furthering the plot because we didn’t know if he would ever make it out. That is how Zenji furthered the plot of the story and how he changes throughout the story.
December 14, 2015
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is about a teenager named Zenji who is living in Hawaii while Japan and America are negotiating about war. The American military is worried, and decides to send in a spy to Japan territories to bring back information. The person that they chose is Zenji Watanabe, who was no clue what's in store for him. What Zenji thinks will be a quick mission abruptly turns into a long span of imprisonment, torture, and finally freedom.
My favorite character in this book is the main character, Zenji Watanabe. He is my favorite character because he does not give up on hope, and perseveres all the way through the book. Even when he is captured by the Japanese and tortured, he does not give up on the hope that he'll get out of there alive. Also, when he is working as a slave at a general's house, he waits till the perfect moment to escape. This book makes me think about a problem we have today, which is xenophobia. Today, we have problems with being scared of muslim people due to terrorism. Back then, there were problems with people being afraid of Japanese because of the war that is going on. The setting is important in this book because it is in Honolulu during the war between the U.S. and Japan. This is important because the pearl harbor bombing was in Honolulu. Zenji is not seen as an American soldier to the rest of society because he is Japanese. A question I have about this book is why Zenji gave up his seat on a small plane to someone he barely knows. This surprises me because Zenji had to get out of the base before the Japanese invaded, but he decided not to and this decision ended up with him being captured by the Japanese. If I were Zenji I would have taken my seat on the plane and gotten to safety, then go and save the other person. I like this book because it is very intense, but also ends up being happy.
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is a great book with powerful meaning to it. Throughout the story, it shows that perseverance will help you through almost anything, and to never give up hope. This book also showed me what it would be like to be discriminated because of your race, and that ignoring bad things is a good way to deal with them. I think that this book is very good, and would recommend it to someone who likes books that keep them on the edge of their seat.
My favorite character in this book is the main character, Zenji Watanabe. He is my favorite character because he does not give up on hope, and perseveres all the way through the book. Even when he is captured by the Japanese and tortured, he does not give up on the hope that he'll get out of there alive. Also, when he is working as a slave at a general's house, he waits till the perfect moment to escape. This book makes me think about a problem we have today, which is xenophobia. Today, we have problems with being scared of muslim people due to terrorism. Back then, there were problems with people being afraid of Japanese because of the war that is going on. The setting is important in this book because it is in Honolulu during the war between the U.S. and Japan. This is important because the pearl harbor bombing was in Honolulu. Zenji is not seen as an American soldier to the rest of society because he is Japanese. A question I have about this book is why Zenji gave up his seat on a small plane to someone he barely knows. This surprises me because Zenji had to get out of the base before the Japanese invaded, but he decided not to and this decision ended up with him being captured by the Japanese. If I were Zenji I would have taken my seat on the plane and gotten to safety, then go and save the other person. I like this book because it is very intense, but also ends up being happy.
Hunt for the Bamboo Rat is a great book with powerful meaning to it. Throughout the story, it shows that perseverance will help you through almost anything, and to never give up hope. This book also showed me what it would be like to be discriminated because of your race, and that ignoring bad things is a good way to deal with them. I think that this book is very good, and would recommend it to someone who likes books that keep them on the edge of their seat.
February 20, 2017
Although a bit too simplistically written for an adult reader, this is an engaging story of heroism in the Pacific theatre of WWII, based on the often forgotten contributions of Japanese American soldiers.
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