288 pages
English language
Published Nov. 9, 2023 by Algonquin Young Readers.
"In how do you live?, Copper, our hero, and his uncle are our guides in science, in ethics, in thinking. And on the way they take us, through a school story set in Japan in 1937, to the heart of the questions we need to ask ourselves about the way we live our lives. WE will experience betrayal and learn about how to make tofu. We will examine fear, and how we cannot always live up to who we think we are, and we learn about shame, and how to deal with it. We will learn about gravity and about cities, and most of all, we will learn to think about things--to, as the writer Theodore Sturgeon put it, ask the next question." -page [4] of cover
How I wished I had read this book when I was thirteen? But the wisdom written here can still be applied even when I'm 3 decades older.
This is a remarkable book, it has an interesting history, written as part of a series of books for young Japanese nationals, it shows them how to behave in the world, how to become a great human and how you should treat others. I found it really inspiring but at the same time it made me realise how world weary I have become, each time I go on social media there is always somebody showing their worst side and I just wanna sit them down and make them have a read of this book.
The book is centred around Copper a 15 year old school boy, we follow him as he makes friends, deals with bullies and cares for those who are considered outcasts. His Dad has recently died and his uncle has stepped up to be the father figure in Copper’s life, the uncle is the sort of person …
This is a remarkable book, it has an interesting history, written as part of a series of books for young Japanese nationals, it shows them how to behave in the world, how to become a great human and how you should treat others. I found it really inspiring but at the same time it made me realise how world weary I have become, each time I go on social media there is always somebody showing their worst side and I just wanna sit them down and make them have a read of this book.
The book is centred around Copper a 15 year old school boy, we follow him as he makes friends, deals with bullies and cares for those who are considered outcasts. His Dad has recently died and his uncle has stepped up to be the father figure in Copper’s life, the uncle is the sort of person everybody needs guiding them at a young age, very wise and ethical, it is his diary entries that guide Copper through any tricky situation. As well as giving fatherly advice he teaches Copper about history, we learn about gravity, Napoleon and Buddhist statues and he has a fantastic voice the keeps the reader engrossed.
If I had read this as a child would I have found it interesting? I doubt it, it is the sort of book that needs to be read to you when young for you to fully appreciate it’s message, I reckon if my parents had read this to me I would be less of a troll as an adult
