The Chikorita Challenge

Pokemon Chapter Book #21

by Tracey West

Ash thinks it's cool that Chikorita has joined the Pokemon team. But the newest member of his Pokemon posse is jealous of Pikachu. So the ticked off Chikorita takes off on a journey way beyond the Poke Ball. And that could get very dangerous! Will Pikachu and Ash find Chikorita before Team Rocket gets their paws on the Grass Pokemon?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Novels, Chapter Books, Adventure, Fantasy, Kids

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Tracey West is the New York Times bestselling author of Dragon Masters, a series in the Scholastic Branches line. She has written more than 400 books for kids, including the Pixie Tricks series and the Underdogs series with Kyla May.

Some readers also know Tracey for writing books based on animation such as Pokémon and LEGO Ninjago.

She currently lives in the western Catskills of New York with her husband, Bill; their adopted dogs; and a whole mess of chickens.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already have the book anyway. As for you people without the book, it's about when Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu,and Togepi meet a beginner trainer named Casey who started out with an ADORABLE Chikorita. When Mr. "Show-Off-Big-Mouth" Ash insults Casey's favorite baseball team, she challenges him to a pokemon battle. She loses easily. Thinking she betrayed the Electabuzz baseball team, she runs away with tears in her eyes. Casey then bumps into 'losers' Team Rocket. The trio convinces Casey that Ash cheated during the battle. Furious, Casey takes off to find him. Will Team Rocket finally succeed in catching Pikachu AND Chikorita?
Then, Ash encounters a wild Chikorita. Wanting to add it to his team, he battles it. Soon Ash realizes the Chikorita is stubborn. "No problem" he says. But then Chikorita gets wounded really badly. Too worried to capture the little pokemon, Ash and Co. take poor Chikorita to the P.C. Nurse Joy assures them it will be fine. T.R. then steals the "rare" grass pokemon. Ash and Pikachu chase after them up a mountain. Chikorita reluctuntly runs off. Will Chikorita ever gain Ash's trust?
Finally, a few days later, Ash gets his chance to try out his new Chikorita. Battling a speedy Ratticate, Chikorita gets tired. Ash decides to use his Pikachu; but Chikorita hears him. So, it decides to ruin the battle for Pikachu. But it ruins the battle for Ash too. Ash scolds his Chikorita and hurts it's feelings without realizing it. Then, in the P.C., Chikorita refuses to talk to Ash, to Pikachu, or to anyone else! Nurse Joy then comes over and has a session with Ash and Chikorita. She then explains Chikorita is JEALOUS of Pikachu!! That night Chikorita runs away from Ash. Pikachu goes after it. T.R. finds out and go after them. Will Chikorita ever overcome it's jealousy?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's brilliant how they basically just took episodes and turned them into books.

Also, spoiler alert - reading the entirety of one of these books outloud to your 4-year-old in one morning session may or may not make you lose your voice.

[Bennett LaBree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! The troubles of getting wild chikorita in a new region and a cute story with team rocket trying to mess things up. Everyone is safe in the end and it’s satisfying and Chikorita and Ash learn to trust each other and yea it’s cute.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's interesting and how chikorita was stubborn but she is adorable

[Andrew Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with my 8 year old son. It was enjoyable. It’s basically an anime episode in book form.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good Pokémon tale.