Nonfiction Review: Explore China

Explore Chinese history and culture through Disney's movie Mulan.

I really enjoyed this book.

The pictures are fantastic. 

The layout is great - making it easy to read.

There's tons of information packed into this small book.

Readers learn about clothing and jewelry, festivals, inventions, family life, honor, the importance of ancestors, and so much more.

* I just purchased this book for my library because our country books are much older. Plus I think the combination of learning about a country's history through a movie will entice readers. It's my hope that kids will pick up this book after seeing it on display because it looks fun (and not because they need to do a report on China).

Review: Magnoila Sword: A Ballad of Mulan

CHINA, 484 A.D.
A Warrior in Disguise
All her life, Mulan has trained for one purpose: to win the duel that every generation in her family must fight. If she prevails, she can reunite a pair of priceless heirloom swords separated decades earlier, and avenge her father, who was paralyzed in his own duel.

Then a messenger from the Emperor arrives, demanding that all families send one soldier to fight the Rouran invaders in the north. Mulan's father cannot go. Her brother is just a child. So she ties up her hair, takes up her sword, and joins the army as a man.

A War for a Dynasty
Thanks to her martial arts skills, Mulan is chosen for an elite team under the command of the princeling--the royal duke's son, who is also the handsomest man she's ever seen. But the princeling has secrets of his own, which explode into Mulan's life and shake up everything she knows. As they cross the Great Wall to face the enemy beyond, Mulan and the princeling must find a way to unwind their past, unmask a traitor, and uncover the plans for the Rouran invasion . . . before it's too late.

- summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I love the story of Mulan and was super excited to read this book (both because of the subject, but also because of the author). And this book didn't disappoint. I really loved it. I felt terrible for Mulan for having to hide her true self for so many years and for never having her father's approval. I enjoyed her moments with her dueling partner. I loved her cheekiness which allowed her to join the elite team under the princeling. I enjoyed her moments chatting with the princeling and how they became friends. I loved the comradery between the elite team. I loved learning the secrets from the past. I loved the action, the danger, and how everything played out. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries.