Review by Booklist Review
In sixteenth-century Japan, the country is torn apart by warring factions. In one region, ninjas are trained to learn secrets and assassinate warlords. Mochizuki Chiyome dreams of becoming a ninja, but she's quickly married off instead. When she is widowed early on, Chiyome fulfills her dream and trains other women in deception, outdoor survival, self-defense, and other skills needed to be ninjas. Chiyome and her squad of ninjas work to bring down warlords and protect the people. In this heavily illustrated middle-grade story, Kyi focuses on the secrecy of ninjas and relates an exciting tale based on historical figures and real events. Krampien's illustrations of Japanese landscapes are striking, especially partnered with bold drawings of a young girl sitting under a roaring waterfall or racing off into the night. The back matter elaborates on the historical period and explains which parts of the story are fictionalized, and it offers a helpful glossary and resources. This interesting peek into a lesser-known historical moment tells a compelling story of women intentionally and expertly hiding in a male-dominated field.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-An illustrated novel, based on historical fact, about a female ninja named Chiyome. The book begins with a colorful, political map of feudal Japan. Kyi subtly educates readers about 16th-century Japan, the empowerment of women, and the effects of war while developing Chiyome's character and introducing Aki, an orphan Chiyome trains as a ninja. Krampien combines traditional Japanese pen-and-ink art with contemporary illustrations done in green, blue, red, tan, and black that reflect and extend the text. Kyi clarifies fact from fiction in her author's note, saying that, "Mochizuki Chiyome was probably real," based on scholars' conclusions. Chiyome's husband and his uncle were real, but she fictionalized Aki's character. VERDICT Kyi and Krampien fully involve readers in this well-told, thrilling story.-Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A lengthy picture book about a female ninja in 16th-century Japan. Mochizuki Chiyome lives in the Koga region of feudal Japan, where constant warfare between warlords called daimyos creates the need for both samurais and ninjas. Chiyome's great-grandfather was a famous ninja, and she is training to be one too. Her arduous preparation includes dangling from a cliff as well as more subtle skills, such as hensojutsu, the art of disguise. After years of training, she becomes a ninja only to be married off to Mochizuki Moritoki, the nephew of a powerful daimyo. When her husband is killed in battle, Chiyomewhose choices as a widow are either taking care of other women's children or retreating to a spiritual lifeconvinces her uncle-in-law to take advantage of her ninja skills. She recruits and trains a network of female ninjas to spy for him. Kyi's bracing text (based on some real historical figures, as revealed in an epilogue) gives a vivid sense of detail and danger, although it's too bad the illustrated map of 16th-century feudal Japan does not clearly mark the locations referenced in the story. The book's design is otherwise stellar. Japanese landscape paintings bordered with stylized patterns combine smoothly with Krampien's bold, emotive illustrations, heightening the overall ambience and tone of the story. A terrifically told story with striking design and illustrations that will empower its readers. (glossary, further reading, sources) (Picture book. 8-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.