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The Way of the Warrior: Young Samurai, Book 1

(2009, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Chris Bradford)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    British boy becomes samurai; exciting but violent.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 10–11

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A boy is stabbed in the heart, another is stabbed in the stomach, both are killed, a man is burned to death, another has his fingers sliced off, another is decapitated, a boy sees his father murdered with a sword, much fighting with fists and swords.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Men and boys drink and get drunk.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Way of the Warrior: Young Samurai, Book 1

Parents need to know that this is a story about samurai in feudal Japan, so there is much sword-fighting, and many injuries and deaths, including two boys.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the enduring Western fascination with martial arts and the samurai. Why are they so popular in America? Why did they develop in the East but not in the West? How much of what is depicted in books and movies is real and how much is exaggeration? In the book they say that martial arts is not really about fighting -- is this true? If it's not about fighting, what is it about?
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