Junior Ninja Champion: The Competition Begins

Gr 3-6--When National Ninja Champion, one of the most popular reality TV shows on television, announces that it is going to have a junior version, it brings together Ty, Kevin, Izzy, J.J., and Mack to Fit Kidz, a kids-only gym owned by Ty's parents. The characters range in ability and drive: from Izzy, whose parkour background gives her a leg up in the initial practices, to Mackenzie, who starts as a blogger intending to report on the others but brings a scientific background that allows her to help them improve. Kevin, who beat cancer and has an overprotective mother, inspires his teammates and mom with his performance. It is Ty, however, who demonstrates the greatest leap forward when he must decide between trying out for the show or for his traveling soccer league. Hapka provides a fun background with the development of the show, including the trials faced in the courses and the nicknames given to the competitors and the coaches. The characters are allowed to have foibles and weaknesses, such as Izzy's fear of heights. VERDICT A fun, fast-paced read that will leave readers wanting to find out if the kids qualify for the next episode.--Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, Canada