Today, many people use the word ninja to describe being particularly good or stealthy about something. But ninjas were real Japanese fighters! Most active from about 1450 to just after 1600, ninjas were highly trained, silent killers. Readers learn to parse the truth from the legends about ninjas through detailed historical content, including the 18 skills ninjas of the 1700s were taught. A colorful layout and up-close photographs of ninja weapons enhance the high-interest topic and emphasize the amazing truths of these fearless fighters throughout history.