Jingu: The Hidden Princess

by Ralph Pray

To young Princess Jingu, the Japanese Imperial Palace in the 4th century is full of secrets. Why is she not allowed any visitors or friends when other children run and play together? Why is she the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 188500821X
• ISBN13: 9781885008213
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Shens Books
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 6

Customer Reviews

Nice Story of Historical Fiction for Girls

A young female princess is hidden away in the palace. She is taught how to read and write in Chinese because there isn't a written language for Japanese and excels at her studies. She isn't allowed to have friends or go out. Finally in her 12th year, the family permits her a bit more freedom and presents. She meets a young man through a fence and becomes friends with him. The friendship is tolerated though the princess must marry whom the emperor chooses. The ending is a secret. Read the book.

Engaging, culturally sensitive - a favorite!

Engaging, well-researched, warm and passionate. Full of compassion and intrigue. Well-loved by my libarian friends and their coming of age children. Also a Must Read choice for a local 5th grade clasroom. Makes a great gift or class assignment. Art work is also original and enchanting.

Especially recommended for preteen young adult readers

Set in 4th century Japan, Jingu: The Hidden Princess by Ralph Pray is the story of Jingu, a young princess who feels isolated and alone within the Imperial Japanese Palace. On her tenth birthday, Jingu receives a gift from the Emperor with a mysterious hidden message, and so her journey and transformation from girl to leader begins. Firmly grounded in history, written with majesty, grace, warmth, and understanding, and enhanced with illustrations by Xiaojun Li, Jingu: The Hidden Princess is an emotional and highly enjoyable coming of age book especially recommended for preteen young adult readers.

"JIngu: the Wise Little Princess"

"Jingu" is a delightful little story for children.We follow this beautiful, young princess of fourth-century Japan who is being groomed by her parents of the Imperial family, and even by the elderly Emperor himself to be a wise and special leader. Although Jingu feels she is overprotected, she is finally given to understand that the reason for keeping her life so protected was to nurture her innate gifts for absorbing the tenents of wisdom and leadership while safeguarding her from being negatively influenced by the extraneous forces of mediocrity. As Jingu ages from little girl into a vivacious young lady, very learned from diligently studying with her old Chinese master teacher, she finally becomes aware that "my world is opening-up". And indeed, it does open-up. Jingu is informed that, thanks to her brilliant progress in her studies, she has been appointed to a high office in the Ministry of Education in a Japan that is still feudal. Eventually, she is told by the by now very elderly Emperor that when he dies she is to become the wife of his successor. In other words, the new Empress. Yet, this is not merely the tale of a hereditarily successful marriage. Long before she becomes Empress, the youthfully wise Jingu tells her young male friend, Ichiro, that she has great plans for Japan whose one-hundred clans have been feuding for many years. She idealistically decides that once she becomes Empress she will convince all these warring clans with her "fresh vision" for the future by helping them to stop their perennial fighting and to unify them into what was to become the Empire of Japan. Ralph Pray, the book's author (amazingly, this is his first book), writes his fascinating tale with poetically nuanced and precise language. I can't wait for his next book.

Jingu, the Hidden Princess

"Jingu the Hidden Princess" is a gentle, intelligent tale of the maturing of a young princess in fourth century century Japan. Historically based, it is told in first person without sentimentality. The result is a thoroughly believable journey into a past that most twentieth century children, until now, have had little opportunity to explore.In one sense, Jingu is a children's coming of age story set in another time and another culture. In another sense it is a statement of the indomitable spirit of children, in this case one particular little girl. And in still another sense it is a pattern for integrity as Jingu makes faithful decisions for the sake of duty to country and heritage. None of these "morals" is militant or in-your-face. They are just quietly there.Dr. Pray has written an appealing book that children will be fascinated by and parents will be glad to have on their children's shelves.The illustrations, by Xiaojun Li, are graceful pen and ink drawings that enhance not only the look of the book, but the meaning of the text.