Young Samurai

The Way of the Warrior: Young Samurai, Book 1

by Chris Bradford

Historical-Fiction, Young-Adult, Fantasy, Adventure, Historical, Fiction, Japan

August 1611. Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan – his beloved father and the crew lie slaughtered by ninja pirates. Rescued by the legendary sword master Masamoto Takeshi, Jack’s only hope is to become a samurai warrior. And so his training begins. But life at the samurai school is a constant fight for survival. Even with his friend Akiko by his side, Jack is singled out by bullies and treated as an outcast. With courage in his heart and his sword held high, can Jack prove himself and face his deadliest rival yet?

Recommendations from Common Sense Media

Age Recommendation: 11+

What Parents Need to Know:
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. Readers will learn a bit of history as Jack begins to learn the customs and language. And they will find him an easy character to root for.

Educational Value: 3/5
Readers will learn a bit of history as Jack begins to learn the customs and language.

Positive Messages: 3/5
Jack comes of age as he learns martial arts skills, fights back against bullies — and begins to master the way of the warrior.

Positive Role Models: 3/5
It’s easy to root for Jack as he deals with school bullies — and even Dragon Eye, who will kill him or anyone else who stands in his way.

Violence & Scariness: 4/5
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, Romance & Nudity: n/a
n/a

Language: n/a
n/a

Products & Purchases: n/a
n/a

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 3/5
Men and boys drink and get drunk.

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