Warriors and Wailers: One Hundred Ancient Chinese Jobs You Might Have Relished or Reviled. (Jobs in History). Sarah Tsiang. Illustrated by Martha Newbigging. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2012. 96 pp., pbk. & hc., $16.95 (pbk.), $25.95 (hc.) ISBN 978-1-55451-390-1 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55451-391-8 (hc.). Subject Headings: Occupations-China-History-Juvenile literature. China-History-221 B.C.-960- A.D.-Juvenile literature. Grade 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Inderjit Deogun. *** /4

excerpt:

Emperor

You have the most powerful boss imaginable—the gods. As one of the “sons of heaven,” you enjoy heavenly approval as the sole and supreme ruler of the entire civilized world. Most emperors come from a long line, or dynasty, of fathers and sons. But no one family has the eternal right to rule. It’s possible to lose the mandate of heaven by ruling poorly. A natural disaster paired with a successful overthrow will let you know that your time is up. To rule is a divine gift, and it comes with absolute authority as well as awesome responsibility. You have the final word on everything, and you can choose to take a life or start a war with the wave of your hand.

Warriors and Wailers is a veritable encyclopaedia of ancient China. The sixth in the “Jobs in History” series boasts 100 careers that cover the full spectrum of the Chinese lifestyle. The jobs are grouped under 12 headings, such as Imperial Jobs and Illegal Jobs. Some jobs will be familiar to young readers while others, such as concubine, are sure to raise a few eyebrows.

     Sarah Tsiang’s approach to Warriors and Wailers: One Hundred Ancient Chinese Jobs You Might Have Relished or Reviled is incredibly reader friendly. Though the stylistic approach to the subject matter is encyclopaedic, the humourous descriptions will definitely engage young readers. The humourous nature of the text is coupled beautifully with witty illustrations that bring the ancient culture to life. Tsiang also includes a timeline and sidebars that make the information even more accessible. Warriors and Wailers is a great addition to any student’s home library.

Recommended.

Mississauga, ON’s Inderjit Deogun is currently pursuing a career in publishing with a particular interest in children’s literature.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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