Ancient China

Plucked from his peaceful life in a village near the Great Wall, 11-year-old Shen suddenly finds himself the favorite musician at the court of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi. Shen's music is the only thing that can calm the emperor, but he is unknowingly drawn into a plot to kill his master. Shen's precious musical instrument, his zither, holds the key to the life of the emperor. But when the moment for action comes, will he be ready? For the pre-teen reader, this is a history book with a difference. Each page is illustrated in color, with detailed cutaways, and astonishing facts.