The fascinating life story of Manjiro, a boy from Nakahama who was rescued from death by an American whaling crew and in 1843 became the first Japanese person to enter the United States. Adopted by a whaling captain and educated in Massachusetts, Manjiro later became a diplomat and samurai in Japan. Rhoda Blumberg, who previously wrote "Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun", is a talented writer of nonfiction for children. This book, for ages 9-12, is nicely illustrated with woodblock prints and Manjiro's own drawings.  (JPN104, $8.99)