Naruto

Naruto
Author/artist Masashi Kishimoto
Publisher: Shonen Jump Graphic Novel Ed edition (August 6, 2003)
ISBN-10: 1569319006
ISBN-13: 978-1569319000



Plot Summary: In this story the village, Konohagakure was tormented by a nine-tailed fox spirit, and the village champion defeated him by imprisoning the nine-tailed fox spirit within the body of a baby boy. As the boy grows, he studies to be a ninja. The boy, Naruto, wants to be the best ninja in the village, and he trains hard and does well, but in addition he is very mischievous. It is his mischievous spirit within him that makes him a strong opponent when he channels his energy positively. Alongside his friends, Sasuke and Sakura Naruto works to eventually be the best in all of Konohagakure.

Critical Analysis: In this manga, the story appeals to both genders as Naruto is the focus hero, but the fact that his sidekicks are girls, makes it for a story where either female or male readers will enjoy it. Naruto is prankster and while talented he stirs up trouble in his village in spite of his potential. He is also an orphan. Naruto is a hero appealing to readers having difficulties in school as he is on the fringe, but still capable, like so many students in school facing the stringent classroom expectations with increasing budget cuts.

Annotation: Prankster Naruto holds the spirit of a nine tailed fox spirit, but seems on the surface just your average mischievous boy. He faces the challenge of passing the difficult test to enter ninja school.

Author Information:


"Born November 8, 1974 Okayama, Japan.
Who is Masashi Kishimoto you ask? He is the creator of the hugely popular manga series known as Naruto.
Born in the Katsuta county of Okayama, Japan Kishimoto has been drawing from a very early age. But it wasn't until he was older that he recognized his dream to become a Mangaka (Mangaka is the Japanese meaning for cartoonist).
While in art college Kishimoto created a manga called "Karakuri" which he then submitted to the Hop Step award (Monthly award given by Shonen Jump for amateur Mangaka). Karakuri wins the award and sets Kishimoto on the path to his dream of becoming a Mangaka.
Upon graduation of art college, Kishimoto works hard on his next manga "Naruto" which is then published in Akamaru Jump. Two years down the line and a new final version of Naruto is published in the weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and becomes the Naruto you know and crave today."- Interview with Masashi Kishimoto: http://www.narutohq.com/masashi-kishimoto.php

Genre: manga, fantasy

Curriculum ties: none

Booktalking:
1.) How does Naruto's mischievous spirit make him a better ninja, even with his pranks?
2.) The story opens with Naruto playing a prank, what tone does that send? It is similar to the opening scenes of the new Star Trek when we see Captain Kirk, and it seems that there is a type of hero that is both trouble and talented all at once, what does that say about how we should consider our "troubled" students?

Reading Level Interest Age: 7th Grade and up

Challenge issues: none

Reasons for choosing the book. This is a high demand series, but in addition to that, I like the unhero as it gives students/ teens that do not fit into the education box a chance to feel empowered for being different.