I appreciate the well-researched and highly readable introduction to Yoshitomo and his story. I have recommended and will continue to recommend this to my students.

I love when non-fiction reads like fiction - it's so enjoyable and you learn so much! This book brings to life not only Minamoto Yoshitsune, but also the samurai way of life during the 12th century. It wasn't necessarily something I thought I would enjoy, but I really ended up liking it!

I found the rise of the samurai interesting in history, they really took over Japan and even outranked the emperor during their reign. They were a part of history I think little has been written about for children. This was a pretty good intro to them. Yes it's bloody, but that's the way things were. American history isn't much prettier. The story of Minamoto Yoshitsune is well told and interesting. I think some kids will find it a very good biography.

Before reading this book, I knew almost nothing about Japanese culture and the ways of the samurai warriors. After reading it, I now know that the samurai were really big on beheading people. The have a tendency to cut them off (literally) mid-sentence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Yoshitsune's only assets were brains, ambition, and a dream. But childhood dreams can change history."

I absolutely adore books where I learn something new about history. This does not disappoint in bringing to life a charismatic, intriguing character and shining a light on the rise of samurai as political figures in Japan. The style of writing is somewhere between middle grade and YA so expect a simplified prose with plenty of modern similes and metaphors. I was also struck by the wearying nature of political and actual battles of the time period - the dizzying amount of bloodshed and disloyalty to family had my head spinning. Meticulously researched (the notes were almost as long as the book), the author's love and fascination for this time period and subject matter leap off the pages. I can only imagine how challenging it must be to write about a figure and time period where very little in the way of a written record exists but I could have done with a slightly less amount of "probably" and "it is said" conjecture.

Favorite quote: "'Every mother, high or low, wanders in darkness for love of her children ....'"

A great book! Fun, vivid, exciting look into a world foreign to us.

Don't cast it aside for the 7th grade and up comments. This book has beheadings galore and wile violent gives great historical insights into the country that went from producing the greatest warriors to the greatest cars. I enjoyed it.