About This Book
Katherine Paterson's debut novel, 'The Sign of the Chrysanthemum,' is a historical fiction adventure set in a tumultuous 12th-century Japan during the Heiji rebellion. It follows Muna, a 14-year-old boy, as he searches for his absent father after his mother's death. Muna's journey through Kyoto exposes him to social unrest and political intrigue, leading him to form unexpected bonds and face moral dilemmas. The story delves into themes of identity, loyalty, and the complex nature of family, culminating in a significant plot twist regarding his father's identity. This book is ideal for mature late elementary and middle school readers ready for a nuanced historical narrative with deep emotional themes.
A teen-ager comes to know himself through contacts with social ills and political unrest while searching for his father in Japan's capital, centuries ago.
peril_danger
Character Death
Violence
separation_from_parent
Scary Scenes
abandonment
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Muna's search for his father also become a search for himself?
2
Discuss the different forms of loyalty Muna experiences throughout the story. To whom is he most loyal, and why?
3
What moral choices does Muna face, and how do his decisions shape his character?
4
How does the setting of 12th-century Japan, with its social ills and political unrest, impact Muna's journey?
5
What does the 'sign of the chrysanthemum' symbolize for Muna, and how does its meaning evolve?
External Reviews
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