Samurai Kids #1: White Crane

by Sandy Fussell | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0763653462 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 6/25/2016
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This book is in the wild! This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, June 25, 2016
I found this slightly-battered softcover (with a cute inscription inside the cover to a previous owner from a pair of friends) at a local Goodwill thrift shop. It's aimed at pre-teen readers, and the premise features "samurai kids" with a variety of disabilities - one's missing a leg, another an arm, etc. - which don't deter them from seeking to become the best samurai they can.

The story, told from the viewpoint of one-legged Niya, the "White Crane", shows how the young folk came together under sensei Ki-Yaga to form the Cockroach ryu, and takes us through their training, squabbles, occasional adventures, and, eventually, their appearance at the Samurai Trainee Games - where, up to now, they've consistently failed to score a single point. Now they're up against their nemesis, the Dragon ryu (some members of whom were responsible for taking the arm of Mikko, the "Striped Gecko"). Will their training - and comraderie - help them tackle the so-far-unbeatable Dragons?

The story's a good one, fast-moving and conveying a sense of time and place, with Zen life-lessons from Ki-Yaga and with humor as well as tension. (The kids are all much more interested in learning samurai fighting skills than in the other required arts of haiku, calligraphy, and flower arranging {wry grin}.) There are little lessons about honor and humility, friendship and forgiveness, persistence and inventiveness - all in all, an enjoyable book. I may look for the next one in the series.

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing at Fremont Road Town Forest in Sandown, New Hampshire USA on Monday, February 6, 2017

Released 7 yrs ago (2/6/2017 UTC) at Fremont Road Town Forest in Sandown, New Hampshire USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this book, bagged against the elements, on the information board at the Town Forest parking area on Fremont St. at around 4; hope the finder enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2017 Becky's Hugs challenge, in memory of Becky Johns. ***

*** Released for the 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count release challenge; see the GBBC page here. ***

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