Margi Preus

Margi Preus is an award-winning American children's author known for historical fiction and adventure stories. Her most acclaimed work, "Heart of a Samurai," received the 2011 Newbery Honor and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, Preus has produced numerous notable works including "Shadow on the Mountain," "West of the Moon," and "The Bamboo Sword." Her books often explore historical themes and cultural connections, drawing from real events and featuring young protagonists facing challenging circumstances. Preus brings significant academic experience to her writing, having earned degrees from Luther College and Binghamton University. She has also served as an educator at the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her work continues to receive recognition, with recent books like "Windswept" (2022) earning nominations for the Minnesota Book Award in Middle Grade Literature. Her books have been featured on NPR, selected for community reads, and translated into multiple languages.

Readers appreciate Preus's ability to blend historical facts with engaging narratives that appeal to both children and adults. Many reviews note her skill in making complex historical periods accessible to young readers, particularly in "Heart of a Samurai" and "Shadow on the Mountain." What readers liked: - Detailed historical research and accuracy - Character development of young protagonists - Educational value while maintaining entertainment - Authentic cultural representations What readers disliked: - Pacing issues in early chapters of some books - Some find the historical details slow the story - Occasional complex vocabulary for target age group Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Heart of a Samurai: 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings) - Shadow on the Mountain: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) - West of the Moon: 3.7/5 (1,400+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.5/5 across titles One reader noted: "Preus makes history come alive without sacrificing historical accuracy." Another mentioned: "The narrative can be slow at times but rewards patient readers."

Heart of a Samurai - Based on the true story of Manjiro Nakahama, a 14-year-old Japanese boy who became stranded on a remote island in 1841 and was later rescued by an American whaling ship.

Shadow on the Mountain - A World War II narrative following a teenage Norwegian boy who becomes a spy for the resistance against Nazi occupation.

West of the Moon - Set in 19th century Norway, this tale weaves together folklore and historical fiction as a young girl embarks on a journey to America.

The Bamboo Sword - A historical novel set in 1853 Japan, following a young servant boy caught between traditional Japanese culture and emerging American influences.

Village of Scoundrels - Based on true events in WWII France, chronicling how teenagers in a remote mountain village helped save Jewish children from the Nazis.

Windswept - A fantasy adventure about children who are swept away by the winds to help save missing children throughout history.

The Littlest Voyageur - Set in 1792, follows a red squirrel who joins a group of voyageurs traveling from Montreal to Grand Portage.

Linda Sue Park writes historical fiction focused on Asian cultures and creates young protagonists navigating complex situations. Her Newbery Medal-winning "A Single Shard" and other works share similar themes to Preus's multicultural historical narratives.

Karen Cushman specializes in historical fiction with detailed period research and young characters finding their way in challenging times. Her medieval-era stories like "Catherine, Called Birdy" mirror Preus's attention to historical accuracy and coming-of-age themes.

Laurence Yep combines historical elements with cultural exploration in his works about Chinese and Chinese-American experiences. His "Golden Mountain Chronicles" series demonstrates the same commitment to bridging cultures and examining historical events that appears in Preus's work.

Elizabeth George Speare wrote historical fiction featuring young people facing survival challenges and cultural conflicts. Her works like "The Sign of the Beaver" share Preus's focus on detailed historical settings and youth confronting difficult circumstances.

Katherine Paterson creates stories that bridge cultural gaps and explore historical periods through young characters' perspectives. Her works like "The Master Puppeteer" set in Japan align with Preus's interest in cross-cultural understanding and historical authenticity.