Legendary Samurai of Medieval Japan

Description: Step into the world of Japan's samurai, elite warriors who lived and fought by the code of Bushido, in this action-packed graphic novel.

Brief description: Benjamin Harper lives in Los Angeles where he edits superhero books for a living. When he's not at work, he writes; watches monster movies; and hangs out with his cats Marjorie and Jerry, a betta fish named Toby, and a tank full of four rough-skinned newts. He tends a bog garden full of carnivorous plants and also grows milkweed to help save Monarch butterflies. His other books include the Bug Girl series, Obsessed With Star Wars, Rolling with BB-8, Hansel & Gretel & Zombies, and many more.

Review Quotes: These illustration-forward tales of historical warriors cover several different cultures and time periods. Readers follow the life of a warrior from a young boy learning his craft to his adult life as a Ninja, samurai, knight, or Viking. More fiction-adventure than history lesson, these books are as educational and fun as a Renaissance Faire joust. The true selling point of this series is the art. The illustrations by Ainza and Chung are dynamic. Each title in the series has a different art style while still containing a through line of simplicity and movement. These titles, written at around a second- to third-grade level, could capture the attention of comic and graphic novel fans through grade seven or eight. VERDICT An awesome buy for the art but not packed with facts.--Jeri Murphy, Illinois Central College, Peoria, IL "School Library Journal"