The Samurai’s Tale

By all accounts Taro should be dead. The son of a samurai is always killed when his lord is defeated in battle. But Lord Takeda’s soldiers decide to spare him, and take him with them.

So Taro becomes a servant in the house of Lord Akiyama, learning how to be a servant. But when his beloved friend is murdered, Taro’s future changes. Taro will become a samurai and reclaim his family’s legacy.

While the Japanese politics and wars in The Samurai’s Tale by Erik Christian Haugaard can be somewhat difficult to follow, Taro’s story itself is compelling enough to make the potential confusion worth it.

Highly recommended for ages 12 and up.