Parents' Guide to

The Night Parade

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Gentle fantasy spotlights Japanese mythology.

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Kids say (3 ):

More contemplative than many modern fantasies, this middle-grade novel ably evokes Japanese mythology and Shinto traditions. Some readers may find it hard to warm up to Saki Yamamoto, the self-centered main character, but as she matures over the course of her three-day quest, readers will come to root for her.

Author Kathryn Tanquary keeps the plot moving by introducing interesting new characters -- a four-tailed fox, a bird-like creature called a tengu, and a "raccoon/dog" tanuki -- at regular intervals. Some of the lessons learned are a little obvious, but Tanquary uses a lighter touch to resolve some of the conflicts.

Book Details

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