Daughter of Xanadu

Gr 7—10—Princess Emmajin, the granddaughter of the Great Khan Khubilai, is not interested in suitors; she would rather be a soldier in her grandfather's fearsome army. She spends many hours training in secret with her cousin until she makes a surprise appearance at her grandfather's special contest. He is so impressed with her that he gives her a special assignment: to befriend the visiting foreigner, Marco Polo, and seek out the weakness that will allow the Mongols to conquer all of Christendom. She does not count on becoming smitten with the traveling merchant, however, and his talk of courtly love and Western philosophy have her rethinking her values and her goals. Daughter of Xanadu offers rich descriptions and vivid depictions of fictional characters and historical figures, making them charming and believable. A colorful and compelling read.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL