Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitune

Written by Pamela S. Turner, Illustrated by Gareth Hinds

This is a great story about a young man who wanted everything and started with nothing. Yoshitsune was fifteen when he escaped from the monastery where he had been in exile. He had nothing but a dream, great ambition to get where he wanted to go, and the brains to do it. Self taught to fight he joined his half brother and they joined the uprising in Japan against the samurai. This is a love story and a fighting story, with lots of people losing their heads. Fighting, bloodshed, love: what more could you ask for? Great read and you might just learn about the samurai of Japan if you are not careful.

Review by Marsha Artigues, Eisenhower Jr Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 8 and Up

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitune
Written by Pamela S. Turner, Illustrated by Gareth Hinds
Charlesbridge
236 pages
Release Date: February 2, 2016
A review copy was provided by the publisher.