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1. Bibliographic Information:
Asai, C. (2003). Samurai girl: The book of the sword. New York: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 0-689-85948-1
218 pages
2. Plot Summary:
Heaven Kogo was only a baby when she survived the crash of Japan Airlines flight 999. Seen as a lucky, she is adopted by the famous Konishi Kogo, CEO of a large company. As she grows up Heaven is forced to learn and master many subjects within educational subjects, musical subjects and etiquette. Despite these many demands, Heaven finds solace in the company of her brother Ohiko. At 19, Heaven is asked to marry the rich playboy, Teddy Yukemura, in accordance with her father’s wishes. On the day of the ceremony a ninja appears, threatening Heaven. Ohiko tries to save Heaven, only to die in the process. Heartbroken that her father did nothing to stop her brother’s murder, Heaven runs away. She finally goes to one of her brother’s former friend Hiro. Heaven asks Hiro to help train her to be a samurai so that she can equip herself with the necessary skills to figure out who or what is behind her brother’s murder. Trusting no one but Hiro, can Heaven complete her training despite others who threaten her existence and to what degree is her father behind all of this?
3. Critical Evaluation
Samurai girl: The Book of the Sword is the first in a series of seven. This book is an easy read that does little to challenge the reader in terms of plot, themes or writing. The author’s character development seems to be lacking in this story. The plot seems to be reminiscent of any book about girls overcoming adversity, except little information is gained from reading the book. In fact, more questions arise. Heaven does not know who exactly is behind her brother’s murder or even how her father is involved in this whole affair. Hiro seems to be a cardboard character with little feeling or emotion. Understandably he is Heaven’s teacher; therefore, he is supposed to be somewhat of an enigma. However, little in his descriptions makes him believable. The author claims that Heaven had a close relationship with her brother, but no information is actually given to persuade the reader that this is the case. Overall, if readers want a book that does not require them to think, and is an easy adventure story, this book will suffice. Otherwise, one should not be reading it for its artistic merit.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Heaven Kogo is a lucky girl: a lone survivor in a horrific plane crash, adopted by one of the wealthiest families in Japan, and is now engaged to one of the most popular men in Japan. However, Heaven does not want to marry Teddy, and when her brother is murdered at her own wedding, Heaven must make her own decisions on how to survive.
5. Information about the Author
According to a Wall Street Journal article, Carrie Asai is the creation of editors at Alloy Entertainment who have also produced “Gossip Girl.” Therefore, Carrie Asai is not an individual, but a collection of authors.
6. Genre
Adventure
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
- Do you think this book perpetuates stereotypes or promotes the Samurai culture?
- Have you ever had to overcome obstacles in order to complete a task?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
15-17
10. Challenge Issues
This book does contain fighting and minimal violence. There is the hint of romance, but no sexual innuendo. Therefore, while I do not think that this book would be challenged, if there was an angry patron I would refer them to the ALA website and form at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
I saw it at the local library and thought it might be interesting.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Brophy-Warren, J. (2008, August 30). Teen drama, with a twist:
'Samurai Girl' puts an action spin on a genre aimed at young women. Wall Street Journal. W2. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122004548754784425.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Asai, C. (2003). Samurai girl: The book of the sword. New York: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 0-689-85948-1
218 pages
2. Plot Summary:
Heaven Kogo was only a baby when she survived the crash of Japan Airlines flight 999. Seen as a lucky, she is adopted by the famous Konishi Kogo, CEO of a large company. As she grows up Heaven is forced to learn and master many subjects within educational subjects, musical subjects and etiquette. Despite these many demands, Heaven finds solace in the company of her brother Ohiko. At 19, Heaven is asked to marry the rich playboy, Teddy Yukemura, in accordance with her father’s wishes. On the day of the ceremony a ninja appears, threatening Heaven. Ohiko tries to save Heaven, only to die in the process. Heartbroken that her father did nothing to stop her brother’s murder, Heaven runs away. She finally goes to one of her brother’s former friend Hiro. Heaven asks Hiro to help train her to be a samurai so that she can equip herself with the necessary skills to figure out who or what is behind her brother’s murder. Trusting no one but Hiro, can Heaven complete her training despite others who threaten her existence and to what degree is her father behind all of this?
3. Critical Evaluation
Samurai girl: The Book of the Sword is the first in a series of seven. This book is an easy read that does little to challenge the reader in terms of plot, themes or writing. The author’s character development seems to be lacking in this story. The plot seems to be reminiscent of any book about girls overcoming adversity, except little information is gained from reading the book. In fact, more questions arise. Heaven does not know who exactly is behind her brother’s murder or even how her father is involved in this whole affair. Hiro seems to be a cardboard character with little feeling or emotion. Understandably he is Heaven’s teacher; therefore, he is supposed to be somewhat of an enigma. However, little in his descriptions makes him believable. The author claims that Heaven had a close relationship with her brother, but no information is actually given to persuade the reader that this is the case. Overall, if readers want a book that does not require them to think, and is an easy adventure story, this book will suffice. Otherwise, one should not be reading it for its artistic merit.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Heaven Kogo is a lucky girl: a lone survivor in a horrific plane crash, adopted by one of the wealthiest families in Japan, and is now engaged to one of the most popular men in Japan. However, Heaven does not want to marry Teddy, and when her brother is murdered at her own wedding, Heaven must make her own decisions on how to survive.
5. Information about the Author
According to a Wall Street Journal article, Carrie Asai is the creation of editors at Alloy Entertainment who have also produced “Gossip Girl.” Therefore, Carrie Asai is not an individual, but a collection of authors.
6. Genre
Adventure
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
- Do you think this book perpetuates stereotypes or promotes the Samurai culture?
- Have you ever had to overcome obstacles in order to complete a task?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
15-17
10. Challenge Issues
This book does contain fighting and minimal violence. There is the hint of romance, but no sexual innuendo. Therefore, while I do not think that this book would be challenged, if there was an angry patron I would refer them to the ALA website and form at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
I saw it at the local library and thought it might be interesting.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Brophy-Warren, J. (2008, August 30). Teen drama, with a twist:
'Samurai Girl' puts an action spin on a genre aimed at young women. Wall Street Journal. W2. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122004548754784425.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). Samurai girl: The book of the sword (paperback). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Girl-Sword-Carrie-Asai/dp/0689859481/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
13. Awards
No awards known.
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