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Boxers and Saints


Boxers and Saints, by Gene Luen Yang, are companions for each other in their two book series. The two books are based off foreign missionaries bullying China in 1898. The difference is that Boxers is based off a boy’s point of view who decides to fight for his country, while Saints is based off of a girl’s point of view who is disrespected by her family and turns to becoming Christian. Both led very different lifestyles. Little Bao, the young boy, finds himself fighting for his country based off of legends. Five Girl, the young girl, treated horribly by her family and runs away from home in order to become religiously Christian. Although their two lives are opposites, they cross paths at the very end, both at the edge of their lives. Boxers and Saints are truly companion books, for you cannot read one and without the other.

Boxers and Saints are both very emotional books, each with their own backstory. They are both in the design of a graphic novel. Although they are comics, they are also historical-fiction, therefore meaning the backstory is darker. I personally found that reading it once, especially if you have not studied the topic before, is not enough. I had to read both books a few times in order to fully understand the meaning behind the story. But, if you have studied the war of China being bullied in 1898, you most likely will be able to comprehend the story much quicker than I did. The only fault I can see in both stories, especially Boxers, is that it may be a bit dark for younger ages. Even so, I truly loved the story and the intention behind it.

Grade Level:

- Suggested: 6th and over

- Advanced: 6th

Genre: Historical-fiction, Graphic Novel

Key Elements: War, Legend

Possible Themes: Fighting beyond herself

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Happy Reading!

-The Book Lover-

If you like more details about the book or would like to request something for me to read, you can contact me at thebooklovercontact@gmail.com

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