野菊の墓(野菊のはか)
This was one of the more difficult and lengthier graded readers, but if you're a sucker for tear-jerking love stories, you'll love this book.
Set in a country village of Japan, a boy grows up with few playmates except for one girl servant about his age. The boy's family has high hopes for him, and tells the girl not to bother him while he's studying. Obviously, the children don't listen. This is probably one of my favorite graded readers. Check it out! |
Recommendations from Asuka (Professional Manga Writer)
The following recommendations were made by my Japanese friend, Asuka, who is a professional manga writer. She even wrote the first manga on this list, which is sold on Amazon Japan.
「クラスメイトはみんな外国人」
“My classmates are all foreigners” This book’s author is... ME!
It is about my Alaskan life with ESL students and American friends.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/402214050X
It is about my Alaskan life with ESL students and American friends.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/402214050X
「モーレツ!イタリア家族」
“Violent! My Italan family” It doesn’t have many cultual differences,
the author got married with Italian guy, he’s so culm and nice but
his family members are so individual people.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4063376079
the author got married with Italian guy, he’s so culm and nice but
his family members are so individual people.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4063376079
「ダーリンは外国人」
“My darling is a foreigner” This book is so famous in Japan.
Saori, the author met an American guy and she experienced
amy funny coultual gap bettween Japan and America.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4840106835
Saori, the author met an American guy and she experienced
amy funny coultual gap bettween Japan and America.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4840106835
「中国嫁日記」
-“My wife is Chinese” This book has altual gap between Japan and China.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4047273597
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4047273597
「日本人でも知らない!?外国人の大疑問」
“Foreigners’ huge questions in Japan” Sorry I didn’t read this book
but I add it because it seems to go well with the theme.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4757419155
but I add it because it seems to go well with the theme.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4757419155
Recommendations from Eishi (Japanese student)
Novels1. 蜘蛛の糸・杜子春・トロッコ他十七篇(芥川龍之介 Akutagawa Ryunosuke)
Amazon Link Akutagawa Ryunosuke is one of the most famous old-authors in Japan, who committed a suicide in 1927. His novels are often used in Japanese textbooks for elementary school students, so most Japanese know his novels. The link is a collection of his famous 20 short novels (about 20 pages/each). I recommend his short novels, especially ”蜘蛛の糸(Spider’s Thread)”, ”杜子春(Toshishun)”, “トロッコ(Tram)”, which imply human deep nature/characteristics. If you like these old-famous novels, I also recommend an author, 太宰治 (Dazai Osamu), such as “走れメロス (Run, Melos)”. |
2. 気まぐれロボット Kimagure Robot(星新一 Hoshi Shinichi)
Amazon Link This is a collection of very short 31 stories (about 6 pages/each), set in a future world with humor. The author is famous for very short stories especially about 20 years ago, and died in 1997. Some of his stories are appeared in Japanese textbooks in elementary school. This collection of stories became a live movie in 2007. |
3. 東京奇譚集 Tokyo Kitan Shu(村上春樹 Murakami Haruki)
Amazon Link Murakami Haruki is one of the most famous current authors, who was nominated in the final selection of Nobel Prize last year. This book is a collection of 5 short stories (about 40 pages/each) which target modern daily lives. However, it might be too difficult for elementary school levels. |
Comics
1. ワンピース One Piece
Amazon Link
One of the most famous comics recently. About adventures of pirates. We can see its characters painted on tourist buses in Waikiki & Ala Moana.
Amazon Link
One of the most famous comics recently. About adventures of pirates. We can see its characters painted on tourist buses in Waikiki & Ala Moana.
2. 名探偵コナン Mei-tantei Konan
Amazon Link
A detective story. This comic would be suitable as a study material because they consist of series of short stories and accurate reading is requested for a deduction.
Amazon Link
A detective story. This comic would be suitable as a study material because they consist of series of short stories and accurate reading is requested for a deduction.
4. 花より男子 Hana yori dango
Amazon Link
Romance story of teenagers. I met an UH student who studies Japanese and loves this comic.
Amazon Link
Romance story of teenagers. I met an UH student who studies Japanese and loves this comic.