About this item
Highlights
- An apprentice puppeteer joins his friends at their theater to investigate a mysterious bandit.Who is the man called Saburo, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor of the Japanese city of Osaka?
- National Book Awards (Children's) 1977 1st Winner
- 10 Years
- 7.77" x 5.08" Paperback
- 192 Pages
- Young Adult Fiction, Historical
Description
About the Book
A thirteen-year-old boy describes the poverty and discontent of eighteenth century Osaka and the world of puppeteers in which he lives.Book Synopsis
An apprentice puppeteer joins his friends at their theater to investigate a mysterious bandit.
Who is the man called Saburo, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor of the Japanese city of Osaka? And what is his connection with the Hanaza, the puppet theater run by the harsh master of Yoshida? Young Jiro, an apprentice puppeteer, is determined to find out even though this could be very dangerous.
Meanwhile, Jiro must devote himself to learning his magnificent art. The sympathetic blind chanter, Okada, and the master's son, Kinshi, help him. Then their sheltered life at the theater, where the members live and work, is suddenly disrupted by rioting night rovers. Finally, the seething world of the street collides with the make-believe world of the puppet theater in an unforgettable climax.
Winner of the National Book Award for Children's Literature, The Master Puppeteer is a classic adventure novel from the brilliant Katherine Paterson, author of such beloved books as Jacob Have I Loved and Bridge to Terabithia.
From the Back Cover
Who is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill- tempered master of feudal Japan's most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life.
Meamwhile, Jiro devotes himself to learning puppetry. Kinshi, the puppet master's son, tutors him. When his sheltered life at the theater is shattered by mobs of hungry, rioting peasants, Jiro becomes aware of responsibilities greater that his craft. As he schemes to help his friend Kinshi and to find his own parent, Jiro stumbles onto a dangerous and powerful secret....
Review Quotes
"Excellent wrting and irresistible intrigue." (Starred review)--" School Library Journal"A brilliant novel. Compelling drama, swift and exciting."--" Publishers Weekly