Samurai (Time Soldiers Series)

Children's Literature - Cheri Stowers

An unexplainable swirling green light appears in the woods nearby. Upon closer inspection, the neighborhood kids discover a portal that allows them to travel through time. Fierce dragons and knights in shining armor are some of the amazing wonders they encounter. For the next time travel destination, Nami, the newest member of the time travel soldiers, chooses Edo, the city that becomes Tokyo. Preparation for the trip is soon underway. On a bright sunny morning the children don their costumes and head for the woods. Bernardo, keeper of the amulet that controls the portal, holds it tightly and summons the time portal. In a flash, it opens and the children are transported to an ancient place and time. Adventure and suspense await them at every turn. Using resourcefulness and teamwork, the children conquer evil forces. Works well for independent reading, as well as a fun resource for a study about Japanese culture. Children may enjoy creating their own time travel stories. While the text is somewhat drab as far as creativity and style, the beautiful color photographs along with digital illustrations and 3-D special effects are outstanding. Children who enjoy this type of time travel adventure will want to check out other books in the "Time Soldiers" series.