The Master Puppeteer: A National Book Award Winner

Katherine Paterson has written a fantastic novel. The Master Puppeteer receives high marks! Winner of the National Book Award and by an award-winning author, The Master Puppeteer is a great mix of adventure, loyalty, history, tradition and truth in a mound of pages. The book is about a Japanese boy who goes to work in a traditional puppet theater to earn money for his family. The story tells of his adventures, friendships, and how he has to deal with life. I have never read a more captivating book of historical fiction that was so uplifting, yet mysterious. The book was very inspirational when bad incidents were resolved positively. Many problems occurred in the book; the reader is always on the edge of his or her seat. It is also appealing because it is a mystery. During the book the reader becomes curious about the mysterious culprit and becomes more and more involved with the book. The Master Puppeteer is a wonderful piece of literature to cherish forever. Although this book encouraged extreme curiosity, some might say that parts of the book are tedious, because there are breaks in between actions. However, the break points give the reader a chance to actually put down the book down even though they might not want to because these actions are enthralling and hold suspense. As a whole, The Master Puppeteer is an excellent example of a normal Japanese boy's life.

This book is a good way to teach social studies. It explains in novel form a culture that is foreign to most students in the United States. Besides being a good novel, it also has the elements of a good mystery. The ending is unexpected and shows that the love of a friend and a mother is cross-cultural.

The book, The Master Puppeteer, was about a boy named Jiro and his experience through the life of a poor street boy that is determined to become a great puppet master, though he is clumsy. When he and his father visit the Hanaza with the recently made puppet, the master puppeteer asks the boy to become an apprentice to a current puppeteer. He joins them and he starts his training to become a major puppeteer. His fellow companions are nice, outgoing, and fun. They get into mischief and sometimes get a beating for it, but Jiro is trying to stop Kinshi (his older companion) from going out and helping the night rovers (the group that his poor mother is in). Kinshi, has tried to help Jiro's mother by giving her money and food. But Jiro needs to find the super sleuth, Saburo, so that Saburo can convince Kinshi that he will help the town. Soon later, Jiro is encountered by a man in the storage house, it is Saburo, but he works in the theater. Chaos reigns over the city when the night rovers set the city to flames. Jiro tries to find Kinshi, but it isn't until the chaos has ended that he finds Kinshi. The hanaza is in terror and the Master Puppeteer is in panic of losing it all. He decides to sell the puppeteers as slaves and all is turned loose. The book was suspenseful in parts but a little slow in the beginning but grows more suspenseful, interesting, and involved toward the end of the book

I thought this book was very well-written. Jiro is boy of such spirit he takes you into is life at the Hanaza, as if you are there living it with him. The mystery that unravels is the most suprising, as it suddenly twists in the other direction and the person you thought most unlikely turns into your main suspect. Yoshida, Kinshi's father, the one who you most dread seeing for fear his high clogs will come in contact with your behind. Why does he have to have the theater in his hands, and make the show go perfectly, even for the audience of a cockaroach! Jiro, this apprentince puppeteer, is the one whom will inravel this whole this. But, not being able to leave the Hanaza, not being able to go to Osaka for his mother and father, that is very painful for Jiro. The streets of Osaka are very dangerous, with the thought that a riot could start any minute now, and one of the dead bodies in the streets could be you friends. Please, read this book. IT IS MARVELOUS A THOUSAND TIMES OVER!!!!!!!

This book is for everyone; for indeed it has everything. For those who like mysteries, come and read this! For those who like historical fiction, we have your book! And for those who just like an excellent story and supurbly written book, do not pass this by!