Historical Book Reviews
338 book reviews found, page 30 of 68. Narrow results by selecting age range:
Seikei, the son of a tea merchant, wants more than anything to become a samurai in 18th century Japan. Unfortunately, because he was not born into a samurai family, by law he cannot become one of those honored warriors. However, Judge Ooka, one of the most revered judges and samurai in 18th century Japan, has adopted him. Where Samurai Lord Inaba, is murdered in his sleep by a Ninja, Judge Ooka, and his apprentice, Seikei, are called on to solve the murder. Judge Ooka sends Seikei on a journey to Lord Inaba's province, along with a Ninja named Tatsuno, to discover who Lord Inaba's enemies may be, and who would have hired a Ninja to kill him. They learn many startling facts about the old Lord Inaba, and his son, the new Lord Inaba. Seikei even ends up in the Inaba castle dungeon and must be rescued by Tatsuno. Their search ends up on the sacred Ninja mountain where Seikei faces the Ninja murderer. Will Seikei overcome the Ninja's powers, defeat him, and learn the identity of who hired the Ninja to kill Lord Inaba? This is the third book in a series of stories starring Seikei and Judge Ooka. The other books are The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, The Demon in the Teahouse, The Sword That Cut the Burning Grass, A Samurai Never Fears Death, and Seven Paths to Death.
Book Series: Samurai Mystery
Similar books: Blue Fingers-a Ninja's Tale by Cheryl Whitesel; Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern life by Burt Konzak; Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan by Eric Kimmel
Reviewed by: sc
Date read: 4/29/2009
ISBN-10: 0399237674
ISBN-13: 9780399237676
Check the library catalog
Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution
Laurie Halse Anderson (2008), 40 pages
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Audience: 1st Grade - 5th Grade
When you read your history books, you might think that all of the spies, heroes, and warriors who led and fought in the American Revolutionary War were men, but that just isn't true! This book combines bright pictures, interesting facts, and funny stories to tell the tales of a few of the women who helped make and shape this country. Some of the women crossed enemy lines to deliver important messages, and some wrote essays and newspaper articles supporting the American fight for independence. Some of them even dressed up like soldiers and joined the fighting! If you think that history is boring, think again. These incredible women made a difference, and had an exciting time doing it!
Similar books: Sea Queens by Jane Yolen; Wild Women of the West by Jonah Winter
Reviewed by: lauraf
Date read: 5/14/2012
ISBN-10: 0689858086
ISBN-13: 9780689858086
Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison
Lois Lenski (1994), 272 pages
Illustrated by Lois Lenski
Audience: 3rd Grade - 6th Grade
A girl is captured by the Seneca Indian tribe and is taken from her family. Based on a true story!
Awards won: Newbery Honor book 1942
Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader
Date read: 11/12/2009
ISBN-10: 039730076X
ISBN-13: 9780397300761
Sparse free verse intensifies colors, sounds and feelings in this beautiful story based on the author's life. Ha is 10 years old when she escapes Vietnam with her family and they end up in Alabama. She describes the sweetness of papaya and the terror of gunfire in her homeland. Struggling to learn a new language and culture, she tells of her mother's determination to build a new life and her brothers' efforts to do the same. But most vivid are Ha's emotions and feelings - funny, scared, angry, questioning - as this young girl struggles to be accepted.
Similar books: Shooting Kabul, by N.H. Senzai
Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee
Awards won: Newberry Honor Book 2012
Reviewed by: donna
Date read: 5/15/2012
ISBN-13: 9780061962783
Hugo Cabret is the son of a clockmaker. He was being raised by his father until his father died in a fire. Hugo's uncle Claude then took Hugo to live with him in an apartment located in a train station. Uncle Claude's job at the train station is to maintain all of the clocks in the station. Hugo becomes Uncle Claude's apprentice but when Uncle Claude doesn't come home for several days (or ever again), Hugo continues to take care of all the clocks by himself. Hugo becomes intrigued with a toy shop in the train station and keeps a stash of toy parts that he pilfers from the shop. From these parts, he is able to rebuild the broken automaton machine that he found in the wreckage of a museum fire. He is convinced that the automaton holds a message for him from his father. The inventor of the automaton surprisingly ends up being someone that Hugo knows. The one hundred and fifty eight illustrations in this book are spectacular and tell the story with as much power as the words do. So what is the invention of Hugo Cabret? You will be amazed when you find out!
Awards won: Caldecott Medal
Reviewed by: sc
Date read: 4/28/2009
ISBN-10: 0439813786
ISBN-13: 9780439813785
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