This was quite a good story of two twelve-year-old boys in ancient China. Ren and Hu are from vastly different social backgrounds and first meet when trying to win an archery competition. However, it is the Year of the Tiger and trouble is never far away. Over the next twelve months, the boys learn the meaning of courage, friendship and resilience as China's enemies gather on the other side of the Great Wall ready to attack.

The biggest negative of the story was the use of modern colloquialisms which jarred with 2 A.D. China. ( )

Where the Great Wall meets the Yellow River, Hu's family struggles on the edge of starvation. The arrival of an imperial battalion in Beicheng brings new money to the town, but also new risks. The battalion's Commander has brought with him his unhappy son, Ren. The two boys meet under strange circumstances and combine forces to train secretly for an archery tournament: for Hu the competition offers an escape from poverty, for Ren an escape from his strict Confucian tutor and recognition from his father. (from the publisher). Teachers' notes available at http://www.penguin.com.au/educationcentre/title-notes.cfm?SBN=9780143303626&...

Hu and Ren, both born in the Year of the Tiger, grow up in very different households during the Han Dynasty in China. Through a series of events, both boys are introduced to archery, with mixed results. Ren ends up helping to defeat an invading army and injuring Hu's father with his newfound skill. The boys become friends, though the book ends with Hu reflecting that the past year he has lost much thanks to Ren but has gained friendship. I liked the text features like Chinese glossary, map, and short historical note. Would be a good read for an advanced 4th grader or 5th grader.

This story takes place during the Han Dynasty. I thought back to the lessons we taught a few years ago on the building of the Great Wall of China and how excited those kids were to learn about it. I believe they would really love this book. The story is told in alternating chapters between Hu, a peasant boy and Ren a commander's son. It shows the difference in the life of the privileged and the poor. Hu's family has been performing for a living for years. Money has been tight. When soldiers enter their city to inspect and repair the breach in the Great Wall several things happen. First of all Hu's father is taken to help repair the wall. The commander who came with his son Ren has decided to hold an archer competition. Hu wants to enter so that he can win the prize and help out the family. Fate steps in and Ren and Hu meet. Ren sees Hu practicing and wants him to help him learn to shoot better so he can enter the competition to try to earn his father's respect. Ren overhears an evil plot and through a course of events both he and Hu find themselves in trouble they never expected. Although the characters were not real the time period was. There was a lot to learn about that time period. It seems so elusive. ( )