"The blade was buried deep in my father's back." Hana and Kimi's uncle Hidehira has launched a surprise attack on their father, a great samurai warrior and local government official. Hana and Kimi escape by using their martial arts training, but their uncle's soldiers aren't far behind. The only place to hide is a nearby dojo, which trains only boys. "So," says Kimi, taking her sword to her hair, "we'll become boys."
Summary When their treacherous uncle murders their father and older brothers and seizes power as the local Jito, or Lord Steward, Kimi and Hana barely manage to escape with their lives. Kimi knows that her mother and younger brother also got away and vows to somehow avenge her father’s death and restore her family to power. But first, she and Hana must find a place to hide from their uncle’s soldiers. Disguised as boys, the sisters get positions as servants in Master Goku’s dojo, where they perform household tasks and train in their spare time. While there, the girls make both friends and enemies, as they struggle to keep their identities secret, hone their fighting skills, and plan their revenge.
Topics Feudal Japan. Samurai. Warriors. Codes of honor. Nobility. Families. Upholding family honor. Honoring ancestors. Cultural traditions. Ceremonies. Witnessing a horrible event. Betrayal. Survival. Courage. Disguises. New identities. Secrets. Class structure. Prejudice. Tolerance. Mentors. Self-discipline. Pride. Friendship. Inner strength. Revenge. Training to be a warrior. Know your enemy. Proving yourself. Working hard to attain a goal. Competition. Selfconfidence. Grief. Hope. New beginnings.
SRC Level 5.500000
SRC Points 15.000000
Lexile 840L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 8 1/4"
Language English
JLG Release Date Sep 2008
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Sports Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
Sports Middle Plus
Sports Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
For Grades 5-8
An action-packed level devoted exclusively to sports. These fiction and nonfiction selections are sure to be a hit with your middle-school sports fans. And the hits arrive each month with this 14 book category.