Although the big fight may not have been John-Browne's fault, all the fighters have to participate in a special martial arts presentation at school. Jack and his pals think of karate chops to cement blocks. The beauty of akido surprises them and the principles of humility, endurance, responsibility and compassion become part of their adoloescent world. Their punishment enables the boys to develop fight-avoiding scripts. As school life becomes more settled, Jack learns that troubles threaten to change the family.
Jonathan Pearce mixes adolescent agnst with martial arts philosophy to create a robust story of family life and friendships. I especially like the encouraging, but not cloying, notes family members leave for each other. Grandpa invites Jack to "build his own person" while remembering family history. Not only has the author created a believable community in his books, he has also developed a community of readers eager to revisit that small town. This book should be filed under fun and substance. Well work reading for all ages!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium , MD US
