How to Live Like a Samurai Warrior by John Farndon -NO

Farndon, John How to Live Like a Samurai Warrior 32 pgs. (Hungry Tomato) Lerner, 2017. $24.99  NON-FICTION

This book is stuffed with fascinating information about Samurai Warriors. It follows the story of a young boy in training, starting with the samurai place Japanese hierarchy, castles, training, equipment, and battle. Of particular interest (at least to educators) is the emphasis on reading, writing, and virtues. Lots of varied and colorful illustrations fill the pages.

I think students will love this book, Samurai and Ninja books are always popular. But there is a section to be aware of, on Seppuku, ritual suicide. It goes into some detail about this, including how it was the bravest thing a warrior can do and an illustration of a samurai holding a sword to his exposed belly. While this is factual information, it is a hot issue subject at schools and with parents. Additionally, I think this book is more appealing to younger readers with it cartoony cover, so that information may be quite heavy and age inappropriate for those readers.   

EL –NO  Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.