Sam Samurai (The Time Warp Trio) - Hardcover

Scieszka, Jon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670899151 ISBN 13: 9780670899159

Publisher: Viking Juvenile, 2001

Synopsis

Joe, Sam, and Fred have conquered the summer reading list, Greek monsters, and Roman gladiators, but a haiku-writing assignment lands them in what might be their scariest adventure yet! Samurai warriors, really big swords, and three twenty-first century kids are a dangerous combination . . . unless one of the boys can figure out a way to find the book and get them back home before disaster strikes.

Joe's Time Travel Haiku:

So what cranks the book?
What triggers the time warping?
Almost anything!

"Told at a quicksilver pace, the stories are furious and funny . . . . These volumes will be requested time after time." (Booklist)

About this title

About the Author

Multiple award-winning author Jon Scieszka grew up in Flint, Michigan, the second oldest and the nicest of six boys. Jon went to school at Culver Military Academy in Indiana where he was a Lieutenant; Albion College in Michigan where he studied to be a doctor; and Columbia University in New York, where he received an M.F.A. in fiction. He taught elementary school in New York for ten years in a variety of positions. He is the author of many books for children including the New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (illustrated by Lane Smith), the Caldecott Honor book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (illustrated by Lane Smith), and Math Curse (illustrated by Lane Smith).  In addition to his work as an author, Jon also runs a web-based literacy program called “Guys Read” that is designed to encourage boys, particularly reluctant readers, to get involved with books. In 2008, Jon was named the country’s first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, a joint effort of the Library of Congress and the Children’s Book Council. During his two-year role as Ambassador, he acted as a spokesperson for children’s literature, speaking to groups of parents, teachers, and children to encourage the importance of reading. You can visit Jon online at www.jsworldwide.com.

Reviews

Gr 2-5-The Time Warp Trio is off again! This time, Sam, Fred, and Joe are working on a haiku writing assignment when they accidentally trigger their time travel Book and are transported back to old Japan. According to the rules, they can't return to the 21st century until they find the Book in the past. Unfortunately, it tends to hide in difficult and dangerous places-and important features like its "Auto Translator" keep malfunctioning. Posing as itinerant entertainers, the three friends encounter the warrior samurai Tada Honda, his cruel war leader Owattabutt, and even their own great-granddaughters who are time-traveling from the future (and who have a much more advanced understanding of the process). Haiku verses are sprinkled through the text. Elements of Japanese history blend with wild anachronisms and off-the-wall humor in an adventure that will be welcomed by children. The short text and snappy humor make the story a good choice for reluctant readers.

Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 4-6. In their latest slapstick historical journey, the Time Warp Trio spins back to seventeenth-century Japan, mixing with Samurais and royalty for more nail-biting adventures, near catastrophes, and raucous humor. But there's a new ingredient in this title: poetry. The fun of making up haikus plays a large role here, and even readers sworn off poetry will find themselves captivated by Scieszka's use of haiku and haiku-esque observations in the text, particularly towards the end. The blend isn't always seamless and sometimes it's contrived, but Scieszka makes it work by keeping the laughs and the irreverence high--tough to do with spare, reverent poetry. Fans of the series won't be disappointed, and teachers looking for poetry materials may also find classroom ideas here. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Juvenile
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670899151
• ISBN 13: 9780670899159
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: McCauley Adam
• Number of pages: 80