Samurai Kids 2: Owl Ninja

Sandy Fussell (author)

Rhian Nest James (illustrator)

Walker Books, Australia: October 2008; 257pp

ISBN: 9781921150371

Genres: adventure, historical fiction

Issues: differences, ethics, friendship, gifted, values

Not long after winning the Samurai Trainee Games, the students of the Cockroach Ryu must travel across Japan to convince the Emperor to silence the drums of war. Kyoko, Mikko, Niya, Yoshi, Taji and Nezume are all talented; they work together to balance one another's strengths and weaknesses. They are resilient, adaptable and determined. And they have as their teacher the great Ki-Yaga. But if the Emperor wants Ki-Yaga dead, how can the Samurai Kids change his mind?

And if old enemies seek revenge, is it possible to stop a war before it begins? Only, it seems, by renewing old friendships and forging new ones; by learning new skills and walking with open minds.

The second in Sandy Fussell's Samurai Kids series, Owl Ninja maintains the energy and humour of the first novel. A talented and experienced writer, Fussell avoids lengthy backstory repetition but enables this book to stand alone by using concise references to previous adventures in a way that flows logically from the narrative. By moving the story beyond the walls of their mountaintop Ryu, Fussell's characters are allowed the development that come from experiencing the wider world as well as the personal growth that occurs in response to difficult circumstances. The writing is polished and entertaining, with plenty of humour and friendship to reinforce the Samurai values of wisdom, courage and honesty.

Rhian Nest James' illustrations once again enrich the story. Her capacity to capture character, plot and narrative tension in each image is quite remarkable. The picture at the beginning of each chapter tantalises the reader, hinting at dramas ahead and thus stimulating the imagination and encouraging engagement with the text. In addition each chapter contains a full-page illustration that offers a snapshot of the narrative. Rarely does a paperback novel contain the calibre of image usually reserved for hardbacks,with visual information that draws the reader further into the text and the world in which it is set.

This promises to be a very enjoyable series for younger readers.