ikyra_marie

10 years ago

I loved this book!It was mysterious yet historical at the same time.Who is the man called Saburo,the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and gives to the poor?And what is the connection with Yoshida, the harsh and short tempered master of feudal japan's most famous puppet theater?Yung Jiro, an apprentice to Yoshida,is determined to find out, even if it means leaving his parents in the process.Even to risk his own young life.Nevertheless,Jiro devotes himself to learning the art of puppetry.Kinshi, the puppet master's son, tutors him.Kinshioften gets punished by his father but I really liked him as the character he was.When his sheltered life at the theater becomes a horror and nightmare of angry mobs and rioting starving peasants. Jiro knows that this is beyond his control and power.Jiro then helps Kinshi find his own and rightful parents, he falls into danger discovering dangerous, and dark secrets that could take power away.Katherine Patterson is a great author and I love all of her books.We had to read this for English class and i thought it would be pretty boring since I love mysteries like nancy drew and the hardy boys.But I think any middle schooler or even elementary kid should read this book.