Karate Kicks

Go Girl!

by Chrissie Perry

When Will and his dad move in with Lola and her mum, their house is turned upside down. Can Lola get closer to Will by taking up his favourite sport - karate? Or will it end in disaster?

Genres: Childrens

89 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Chrissie was born in 1964, in Melbourne. She grew up, mainly in Doncaster and is one of five daughters. She is number four.

Chrissie is the author of over thirty books for Children and Young Adults, including thirteen books in the popular Go Girl series (under Chrissie Perry) and the award winning Whisper.

She lives in inner city Melbourne with her husband, three children who are stubbornly refusing to stay young and an opinionated Maltese Shitzu called Gidget.

Reviews

[Erin Moses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lola has been an only child until her step brother, Will, and his dad, Rex, move into her home. Things are changing for their family and Lola is learning to adjust. Each of them have always wanted a sibling, but they have to figure out how to get to know each other and live peacefully as a family. When she and her mom take Will to his karate practice, Lola becomes interested. She and Will are not always friendly, but learning his favorite sport helps to bring them together. A karate competition helps the two to bond. By the end of the book the Lola and Will are closer than ever.

1) Imagine how things were different for Lola when Will and his dad moved in. Now, think of things from Will’s point of view.
2) How do you think Lola felt when she overheard Will and Rex on her walkie talkie?
3) Do you think that Abbey was helping Lola when she decided to spy on the boys?
4) What would have been different if Lola had been on Will’s team for the competition?
5) How would Will and Lola’s relationship be different if she never joined the karate class?

Perry, C. (2013). Go girl: Karate kicks. Place of publication not identified: Hardie Grant Egmont.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginner-ish chapter book.
Will and his dad, Rex, have recently moved in with Lola and her mom. Things are a little bumpy as two formerly only children learn how to interact with new siblings. The kids bond over karate, and everything works out in the end.

Originally published in Australia, so some of the references and slang will be unfamiliar to American kids.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, fast read with a large font and lots of white spaces.
Lola is getting used to the new arrangement at home. Mum's boyfriend and his son, Will, have moved in. Lola isn't sure how she feels about the changes but can see Mum is very happy. Will and Lola both realise they must find a way to become friendlier. Karate might be the way forward.

Recommended for readers eight years and older.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A greasy book highlighting some of the many challenges of true beginnings of a blended family. I remember having many of those mixed feelings myself.

[Ida Raffy]

-Read as a kid, loved it then