Alison Lloyd

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.… (mehr)

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&...… (mehr)

Battle of the Jade Horse is the sequel to The Year of the Tiger and, as such, it continues the story of two boys living during the Han Dynasty in Ancient China. It offers an accurate insight into that historical period whilst also tackling some of life’s biggest issues. (from the publisher's website).
Teachers' notes available at: http://www.penguin.com.au/educationcentre/title-notes.cfm?SBN=9780143305774&...… (mehr)