The Master Puppeteer facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Katherine Paterson |
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| Illustrator | Haru Wells |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, historical novel |
| Publisher | Thomas Y. Crowell |
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Publication date
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1975 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 179 pp (hardcover edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-690-00913-2 |
| OCLC | 1257048 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P273 Mas |
The Master Puppeteer is an exciting historical novel written by Katherine Paterson in 1975. It's a story for young readers, and it even won a big award, the U.S. National Book Award, in 1977!
Contents
What's the Story About?
This story takes place in Osaka, Japan, during the late 1700s. It follows a thirteen-year-old boy named Jiro. He lives in a time when many people are struggling because of a famine.
Jiro's New Adventure
Jiro goes with his father, Hanji, to deliver a puppet to the famous Hanaza theater. The theater's owner, Yoshida, is a master puppeteer. He sees something special in Jiro and offers him a chance to become an apprentice.
Jiro's mother, Isako, doesn't think the offer is serious. But Jiro doesn't want to be a burden to his family during the hard times. So, he bravely runs away to the theater to start his new life.
Learning the Ropes
At the Hanaza, Jiro begins his training. He starts with simple tasks like opening curtains and learning scripts by heart. Slowly, he moves up to more important roles, like becoming a "foot operator" for the puppets.
An older boy named Kinshi, who is Yoshida's son, helps Jiro learn. Kinshi tries hard to please his father, but it seems like nothing he does is ever good enough.
Challenges and Secrets
Jiro worries about his father, who becomes ill. He goes home briefly and finds out his mother has taken his father to a relative's farm to get better. Later, Jiro returns home on New Year's Day. He discovers his mother is very hungry and struggling.
One evening, a mysterious bandit named Saburo leaves a message at the theater. Saburo is like a Robin Hood figure, stealing from the rich to help the poor. He demands a special show of the play "The Thief of the Tokaido."
Discovering the Truth
Jiro later finds a sword that Saburo used. It's hidden in a storage room filled with puppets, a place that is usually off-limits. Jiro talks to Okada, a wise, blind storyteller at the Hanaza. He asks Okada if he should give the sword to Kinshi. Jiro thinks Kinshi might be able to talk to Saburo, who many believe is Yoshida.
However, Okada later reveals a big secret to Jiro: he himself is Saburo! In the end, Jiro's mother and Okada make an agreement. Jiro will stay with Okada and continue his life at the theater. Kinshi will go to live with Jiro's mother on the farm. This way, both boys can have a happy life.
Main Characters
- Jiro: He is the main character, a 13-year-old boy. He is a bit clumsy but very determined. He becomes a puppet apprentice at the Hanaza theater.
- Hanji: Jiro's father. He is a calm and peaceful craftsman who makes puppets.
- Isako: Jiro's mother. She can be a bit grumpy, especially because of the family's struggles.
- Yoshida: The master of the Hanaza puppet theater. He is a strict teacher.
- Kinshi: Yoshida's son. He helps Jiro learn about puppets and tries hard to make his father proud.
- "Saburo": A secret hero who takes from the wealthy to help those in need.
- Okada: A wise, blind storyteller at the Hanaza theater. He is also known as "Saburo."
- Mochida: A young boy who works at the theater. He helps oversee the chores and practices of the other apprentices.
