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The Samurai's Tale by Eric Christian Haugaard

The Samurai’s Tale

By Erik Christian Haugaard
Level 6
Review:

This is a well-written tale of courage with great educational value. The back cover reads: “When the powerful Lord Takeda’s soldiers sweep across the countryside, killing and plundering, they spare the boy Taro’s life and take him along with them. Taro becomes a servant in the household of the noble Lord Akiyama, where he meets Togan, a cook, who teaches Taro and makes his new life bearable. But when Togan is murdered, Taro’s life takes a new direction: He will become a samurai, and redeem the family legacy that has been stolen from him.” My son thought the ending of this book was sad, but he still loved the book. There is some violence in the book, but it is not glorified or too descriptive. However, I still suggest this book for ages 12+.

(Reviewed by Jenny Phillips)

Genre Historical Fiction
The Good and the Beautiful Library No
  • 3.5 Entertainment Value
  • 3 Moral Value
  • 5 Educational Value
  • 4 Literary Value
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Entertainment Value

All books on our list are chosen to be engaging, but books that rank high in entertainment value may be more appealing to reluctant readers and/or those who are new to good and beautiful books.

Moral Value

All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are deemed appropriate and wholesome, but some books have more emphasis on moral principles than others. A lower rating for moral value does not mean the book is inappropriate; it only means that moral values are not as highly emphasized.

Educational Value

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Literary Value

Books that score high in literary value include exceptional writing, use of literary devices, and a rich vocabulary. All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are well-written, but some have a higher literary value than others.

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