Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier
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- 12,99 €
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- 12,99 €
Publisher Description
In this action-packed adventure and coming-of-age story that finely weaves fact and fiction, thirteen-year-old Ming lives in a small village in Maoist China in the 1970s. His father is convinced that Emperor Qin’s tomb—and the life-size terra-cotta army created to serve and protect the emperor in the afterlife—lies hidden in the hills around them. But if Ming’s father doesn’t prove it soon, the town’s Political Officer will condemn him to the brutal labor camps. From the stories of a terra-cotta soldier who has survived through the centuries, Ming learns the history of Emperor Qin, known for building the Great Wall of China, and how and why the terra-cotta soldiers came to be. As their unlikely friendship develops, Ming experiences the mysterious tomb firsthand, braving deadly traps and witnessing the terra-cotta army in action. Most importantly, he comes to see how he can save both the terra-cotta soldiers and his father from the corrupt Political Officer and his Communist cronies.
The book is illustrated with photographs of Communist Chinese village life in the 1970s, the Great Wall, and, of course, the excavated tomb with its many terra-cotta soldiers. It also features a special recipe from the story.
Praise for Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier
"Historical photos and Indiana Jones–style adventure enrich this tale of an unusual meeting between the Qin Dynasty and the 20th century."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Despite the hardships, both courageous characters work to uphold their respective duties: Shi to protect the tomb and Ming to protect the cultural legacy of China’s people. With archival art, recipes, and end notes, this title is sure to be a hit in the classroom."
--Booklist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Compestine (Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party) teams up with her son Vinson in this riveting work of supernatural historical fiction set in 1970s Maoist China. As a result of Chairman Mao's attacks on intellectuals, 13-year-old Ming and his professor father are forced to move from the city to a small farming village outside of Xi'an, where his only hope of making a living is to persuade the government to open an archeological office to house local artifacts. When a terra-cotta soldier (one of 8,000 modeled after honored soldiers) named Shi is unearthed, it comes to life and leads Ming into Emperor Qin Shi Huang's 2,000-year-old mausoleum. Shi tells Ming stories about fighting the Mongols at the Great Wall at age 14; meanwhile, a greedy and scheming political officer is hot on their trail. The authors' attentiveness to Chinese cuisine, culture, and landscape creates a rich backdrop for a story about the ethics and brutal realities of war. An array of fascinating historical art and photographs enhance the narrative; recipes and historical background are also included. Ages 10 12.