Moonshadow: Rise of the Ninja
Gr 5-8–Moonshadow is the newest member of the shogun's secret service. An orphan trained by the Grey Light Order, the young ninja is able to look into the eyes of animals and command them to follow his wishes by using his ki. That remarkable ability and his sword skills are all he can rely on during his first mission, stealing plans for a dangerous weapon from an unhappy warlord who hopes to rekindle war in Japan. Moonshadow must survive not only assaults by the warlord's hired warriors–a gangster, a swordsman, and a legendary ninja–but also by a rival spy, who is a girl his own age trained by the Grey Light Order's most powerful enemies. The swordplay is fast and furious, and Japanese terms and places are integrated in a manner that reluctant readers will find accessible. This adventure is part spy novel, part magic, and all fun.Alana Joli Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT© Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.