Tokoyo, The Samurai's Daughter

by Faith L. Justice, Kayla Gillam (Illustrator)

Overview

A young girl bucks convention in fourteenth century Japan. When a crooked minister frames her father and steals her home, is Tokoyo prepared to sacrifice all to save him?

Tokoyo's samurai father trains her in martial arts. When he's away, she escapes to the sea to dive with the Ama-a society of females who search the deep waters for food and treasure. With them, Tokoyo finds the friendship and adventure she craves.

When her father is banished to a remote island, she undertakes a desperate journey, filled with thieves and monsters. She'll have to rely on all she's learned from both her father and the Ama. Will her skills and tenacity save her or end in death?

Tokoyo the Samurai's Daughter is the thrilling first installment of the Adventurous Girls series of middle-grade books based on world folk tales. If your young reader loves action, adventure, and far away places, don't miss this "thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended" book. (Historical Novels Review)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780692677087
Publisher:	Raggedy Moon Books
Publication date:	05/28/2017
Series:	Adventurous Girls , #1
Pages:	124
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x 0.26(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

FAITH L. JUSTICE writes award-winning novels, short stories, and articles in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has appeared in Salon.com, Writer's Digest, The Copperfield Review, the Circles in the Hair anthology, and many more. She is Chair of the New York City chapter of the Historical Novel Society, and Associate Editor for Space and Time Magazine. She co-founded a writer's workshop many more years ago than she likes to admit. For fun, she digs in the dirt-her garden and various archaeological sites.

KAYLA GILLIAM is an independent cartoonist living in the dense suburban forests of North Carolina. When she's not juggling her five dogs (Oreo, Domino, Max, Chewy and and Baby) she enjoys researching Japanese culture.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

List of Illustrations

Chapters:

1. Tokoyo and the Ama
2. The Pearl
3. An Adventourous Girl
4. Father's Home
5. A Deadly Curse
6. Arrested
7. A Thieving Clerk
8. Homeless
9. Life with the Ama
10. Finding a Boat
11. The Oki Islands
12. The Search Begins
13. Hard times
14. The Sacrifice
15. A Demon in the Deep
16. A Fight to the Death
17. A Grateful Village
18. Revenge
19. Ama and Samurai's Daughter

Cultural Note

Author's Note

About the Author and Illustrator

Editorial Reviews

"Tokoyo, The Samurai's Daughter is a dramatic, adventurous story reflecting the legends and tales of Japan in medieval times. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended!" -- Historical Novel Reviews, Issue #82

Purchase Rating: ADVISABLE. "The story of Tokoyo illustrates several Japanese ancient traditions, including samurai honor, ancestor worship, and mythology. I love that such a short story can still reveal the beauty of a different culture. Following Tokoyo's quest to save her father teaches readers of honor, love, and sacrifice. Furthermore, the illustrator, Kayla Gilliam, does a fantastic job." -- Kiss the Book: Reviews for School Librarians

"...an intriguing story featuring a strong female as the central character. Set in 14th Century Japan, the books reads as a combination of historical fiction and fantasy adventure. The chapters are suspenseful and this short chapter book should appeal to "tween age" boys and girls alike. Kayla Gilliam's black and white illustrations enhance the book perfectly." -- Multicultural Children's Book Day

"Add this to your power girl reading list: Girls, martial arts training, and sea demons? Sign me up. We need MORE Asian characters, so what is the publishing world waiting for?" -- An Unconventional Librarian

"It was outstanding! You are swept away not only by the beautiful storytelling, but also the wonderful illustrations. [It's] a remarkable illustrated middle-grade book that is incredibly inspiring and touching. I highly recommend reading it!" -- Bookish Delights

"The story is a winner from the start...It is both thought-provoking and likely to encourage young readers to seek more knowledge and a greater understanding of the world around them." -- Middle Grade Minded

From the Publisher