Tiger by Jeff Stone
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jul.13, 2011, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Manga, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Fans (grades 6-9) of martial arts, manga, or kung-fu would like this book.
Why? In a style that reads like manga or a video game, Tiger opens with a young monk, Fu, hiding in a ceramic water jar with his four brothers on top of him. The headmaster has named each of the five orphan monks after the Cantonese name of an animal and trained them in specific martial arts styles specific to each animal. As they hide, their Cangzhen Monastery is under attack by the emperor’s army, led by the vicious Ying, their rebellious brother. Ying and his soldiers kill 100 monks but Ying’s goal is to kill the headmaster and to steal the five sacred dragon scrolls. Once Ying discovers the brothers in the jar, the action never stops. Fu uses wit, skill, and luck to dodge Ying’s ferocious brutality and to get the best of Ying’s subordinates. Fu encounters numerous challenges that test his integrity and resolve, and many minor characters help him expand his view of his purpose in life. Besides the riveting action and amusing asides, Tiger has colorful personalities of both major and minor characters. The plot works but is not resolved, leaving the reader with an ending that will have them grabbing Monkey, the next book in the series of five.
This book is a 2011-2012 Battle of the Books selection.
The details: 208 p. 2006 Review by Samrarian
