Niya Moto is the only one-legged samurai kid in Japan, famous for falling flat on his face in the dirt. None of the samurai schools will teach crippled Niya, until an offer arrives from the legendary samurai warrior Ki-Yaga, sensei of the Cockroach Ryu. Niya and the other Cockroaches must defeat the fierce samurai students from the Dragon Ryu at the Samurai Trainee Games. Though they seem to be at a terrible disadvantage, it's not long before they learn that if they stick together, there is no journey that they cannot complete, no fear that they cannot face, and no battle that they cannot win.
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"This book is about a samurai school that takes children that nobody else wants and transforms their lives to become samurai. The sensei does not give up on his students, although they all struggle with different disabilities. The book has a great story that can benefit any reader."
— Brian (4 out of 5 stars)
" A wonderful tale of triumph over personal difficulty. It's great to watch the handicapped Samurai Kids reach beyond their limitation and excel. So many lessons about friendship, inner strength, and learning to know oneself. Perfect for any young reader and many an older one. "
— Kimberly, 1/14/2014" A tale of plucky misfits that triumph over the arrogant champions. Nothing new there, but I for one couldn't resist a band of young samurai with disabilities hailing from the hardy Cockroach Ryu. "
— Lisa, 1/12/2014" Definitely for younger teens and tweens. A lot more lessons than action, but good characters who I hope to see grow in the series. "
— Jordan, 12/28/2013" Wonderful! Very exciting read, but also loads of wonderful messages about courage, ability/disability, friendship and integrity. We'll be reading the whole series! "
— Margbar11, 12/16/2013" The last of the 2013 Battle of the Books selections. It was a good read. "
— Jo, 12/16/2013" It was interesting and good. "
— Vibhava, 8/24/2013" Absolutely, positivley funny and great. I was chuckling though half of the book, because, well, I have a different sense of humor. Still, it was great and all of that. Hope I can read the next one. And yes, READ IT. Please. "
— Sarah, 4/15/2013" very cool like how they are disabled "
— Kay, 1/12/2013" Good book. I read this aloud to my 4th grade in Library class. They loved it, too. We are all wanting to read the others in the series. Perfect book for the 7-9 set. "
— Jen, 1/3/2013" I like this book because i think the story is going to be really good. "
— Grade5, 7/6/2012" It is a fairly good book "
— Bonnie, 6/11/2012" This book makes a perfect read aloud to go along with a character unit. My fifth grade team is studying Japan, making this book an even better fit. My students can't wait for the time of the day when I read this novel! I like how the ending is a happy twist. "
— Jessica, 3/25/2012" Great book about young samarais who have physical disabilities that doesn't interfere with their training with a great, wise teacher "
— Rita, 1/28/2012" A school for samurais where all the students have something to overcome. One has a missing leg, another a missing arm, one is blind, another has six finger and toes. I really liked how the Sensai relentlessly emphasized the students strengths and what they were good at. "
— Stephanie, 10/26/2011" This is a nice mg series combining humor and some samurai training. Accidentally read the second book first last year and thought I'd eventually get to the first. "
— Brenda, 10/19/2011" This book makes a perfect read aloud to go along with a character unit. My fifth grade team is studying Japan, making this book an even better fit. My students can't wait for the time of the day when I read this novel! I like how the ending is a happy twist. "
— Jessica, 10/7/2011" very cool like how they are disabled "
— Kay, 9/11/2011" Absolutely, positivley funny and great. I was chuckling though half of the book, because, well, I have a different sense of humor. Still, it was great and all of that. Hope I can read the next one. And yes, READ IT. Please. "
— Sarah, 12/3/2010Sandy Fussell lives in Australia, works in information technology, and loves history. The Samurai Kids series is her first literary venture.
Joshua Swanson is an actor and voiceover talent. He’s worked in major motion pictures and television and as a voice talent has worked in all facets of the business. An award-winning audiobook narrator with over sixty titles to his name, Swanson has won five AudioFile Earphones Awards.