About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is beginning to notice social inequality or is struggling with the pressure of high expectations. Set in 18th-century Osaka, Japan, during a time of famine and unrest, the story follows thirteen-year-old Jiro as he enters the demanding, secretive world of the Hanaza puppet theater. It is a sophisticated historical mystery that explores the tension between duty to family and the drive to forge one's own path. Through Jiro's journey from a hungry runaway to a skilled apprentice, the book tackles heavy themes of poverty, political corruption, and the search for a hero in a world of masks. Parents will appreciate the rich cultural immersion and the nuanced look at a parent-child relationship where love is present but often complicated by hardship. It is a thought-provoking read for children ages 10 to 14 who are ready for a story that doesn't offer easy answers about right and wrong.
