Noguchi the Samurai

Rating:
Summary: Not your average children's book
Review: I gave this book to a 7 year old badly in need of some courage in the face of bullies. She loved it! I have no doubt that when she's an adult, and someone asks her "What was the first book you remember reading?", she'll say "Noguchi the Samurai". A special book. Beautifully illustrated, too.

Rating:
Summary: The story is two dimensional, and only mildly engaging.
Review: The plot has potential, but it is undeveloped. A samurai bully is defeated by a wise old samurai who wins by not fighting. This is a good idea but the story built around it is pretty thin. The "good" samurai prevails over the "bad" samurai. The former then tells the latter that he has won by losing. My 7yr old son was not impressed.