New Releases by Lensey Namioka

This young adult mystery novel is set in feudal Japan where a fascinating plot unfolds along with a wealth of information about classical Japanese history and culture. When Zenta and Matsuzo two sixteenth century Japanese samurai arrive at the White Serpent castle they find anything but a warm welcome. Immediately surrounded by a courtyard full of sword-wielding samurai, the two learn that not only is Lord Okudaira dead, but the missing heir to the castle has just arrived to claim lordship over his nine-year-old brother. But who is the legitimate successor? As Zenta and Matsuzo investigate the maze-like castle, they find more than the haunting cries of the White Serpent ghost a monstrous white creature said to emerge whenever a crisis threatens the castle they also discover jealousy, murder, and a battle for power that neither side is willing to lose. Zenta and Matsuzo are wandering ronin (masterless samurai) with a skill and code of honor unlike the ordinary citizens of Japan. Together the stoic Zenta and carefree Matsuzo fall in and out of extraordinary adventures solving mysteries that leave others baffled. Set in sixteenth century Japan, the books in the Zenta and Matsuzo Mystery series present unique plots for young readers.

This young adult mystery novel is set in feudal Japan where a fascinating plot unfolds along with a wealth of information about classical Japanese history and culture. Zenta and Matsuzo are wandering ronin (masterless samurai) with a skill and code of honor unlike the ordinary citizens of Japan. Together the stoic Zenta and carefree Matsuzo fall in and out of extraordinary adventures solving mysteries that leave others baffled. Zenta loves a challenge, which is why he and Matsuzo volunteered to be bodyguards for Pedro and Father Luis two Portuguese missionaries with powerful enemies. Not only are Pedro and Father Luis feared by many of the Japanese in the area because of their unusually pale faces, long noses, and firearms but they''re also in the middle of a tense political battle between the shogun and Nobunaga, the most powerful warlord in sixteenth century Japan. When Pedro becomes the main suspect in the murder of Lord Fujikawa, one of the shogun''s supporters, Zenta and Matsuzo must learn to work with the strange foreigner to prove his innocence while also trying to appease Nobunaga and Fujikawa''s men. Who really murdered Lord Fujikawa? Zenta and Matsuzo''s investigations lead them to surprising conclusions.

FIONA CHENG IS half and half: Her father is Chinese and her mother is Scottish. Fiona looks more like her father than her mother, so people always expect her to be more interested in her Chinese half than her Scottish half. Lately even Fiona’s confused about who she really is. “A realistic, gentle and funny tale.”—Detroit News & Free Press “Readers will identify with Fiona’s struggle to fit in.”—Publishers Weekly

Third Sister in the Tao family, Ailin has watched her two older sisters go through the painful process of having their feet bound. In China in 1911, all the women of good families follow this ancient tradition. But Ailin loves to run away from her governess and play games with her male cousins. Knowing she will never run again once her feet are bound, Ailin rebels and refuses to follow this torturous tradition. As a result, however, the family of her intended husband breaks their marriage agreement. And as she enters adolescence, Ailin finds that her family is no longer willing to support her. Chinese society leaves few options for a single woman of good family, but with a bold conviction and an indomitable spirit, Ailin is determined to forge her own destiny. Her story is a tribute to all those women whose courage created new options for the generations who came after them.

Sue Hua just moved from racially diverse Seattle to a suburban white-bread town where she feels like the only Asian American for miles. Then she meets Andy, a handsome and passionate violin player who happens to be Asian American. Sue feels an instant attraction to Andy, and her white friends think they’re “made for each other”–after all, they both use chopsticks and eat a lot of rice, right? But there’s just one problem. Andy’s last name is Suzuki. And while that may mean nothing to the other students at Lakeview High, Sue knows that it presents a world of problems to her family.

While most 16-year-old girls are planning their weddings, Xueyan, known as Yanyan, has no interest at all in marriage. She is fascinated by medicine. In China in 1921, women rarely attend university, let alone medical school. Still, Yanyan is determined to become a doctor. But Yanyan’s feelings about marriage change when she meets Liang Baoshu. An outstanding scholar and martial arts student, Baoshu is passionate and dangerous. He is determined to rid China of the foreigners who occupy it and restore power to the Manchu dynasty. Life with him would be an adventure. But when Yanyan realizes that being with Baoshu would also mean sacrificing her dream of becoming a doctor, she faces the most difficult decision of her life. And her choice leads to an entirely new adventure an ocean away in America—where Yanyan is the foreigner.

While her younger siblings have adopted many American customs since moving from China to Seattle, Yinglan Yang clings to her Chinese heritage, so her brother and sister hatch a plot to convert her to American culture.

After thwarting a thief, a boy of old China changes his way.

In medieval Japan, two out-of-work samurai warriors must use their fighting skills when they join a group of local boys, led by the mysterious White Fox, in resistance to a cruel occupying force.

Yingmei Yang has changed her name to Mary now that she''s learning how to be American. It''s hard since her family sticks to their Chinese customs, which can be embarrassing in public. Still, Mary wants to be best friends with popular Holly Hanson. She sees her chance when she adopts one of Holly''s kittens. The trouble is that Mary''s family can''t afford a cat and it could damage their prized musical instruments. To prove her friendship to Holly, Mary must find a way to keep the kitten a secret from her impossible family. It won''t be easy!

Everyone in the Yang family is a talented musician except for nine-year-old Yingtao, the youngest Yang. Even after years of violin lessons from his father, Yingtao cannot make beautiful music. Now that his family has moved from China to Seattle, Yingtao wants to learn English and make new friends at school. Still, he must make time to practice his violin for an important family recital to help his father get more students. Yingtao is afraid his screeching violin will ruin the recital. But he''s even more afraid to tell his family that he has found something he likes better than music. Together he and his new friend Matthew think of a sure way to save the recital. They are certain nothing will go wrong.

Feeling confined by the traditional family attitudes of her strong-willed, manipulative grandmother, sixteen-year-old April Chen fights for her independence.

Kajiro, a young masterless samurai is sent to a Japanese island to spy on the old lord. But when his boat lands, he is mistaken for Zenta, the famous warrior, and the villagers and fisherman of the island are anxious for him to combat the ogres that are tormenting the island. With an unforgettable cast of unusual characters, from a spacey commander, to a mysterious guest, and nuns who behave strangely when visited by Kajiro-"Island of Ogres" is a clever story that will satisfy young readers everywhere.

Sightings of a phantom figure occur at the same time that suspicions of a traitor infiltrate on a band of outlaws, dropouts from more respectable sectors of Chinese society, now living by their wits during the Sung dynasty.

Two samurai confront a woman-killing "Vampire Cat" in this tale set in historic Japan.

In the 1950''s Chinese American Emma Hu feels out of step in her community, not only because she is caught between two cultures, but also because she excels in math.

Helps the Western traveler visiting Japan appreciate a culture startlingly different in many ways from his own, discussing the Japanese code of behavior, system of physical hygiene, procedures for serving and eating food, amusements, subway and railroad systems, and historical and religious heritage