Judo Boy

by John Ball Jr.

Judo Boy is an adventure story for boys built around the ancient traditions of Judo. Rod Mitchell wants to fight his own battles. After being beaten and humiliated by the school bully and his gang, Rod is determined to fight back. Hearing about Judo from his friend, Mark Takahashi, a Nisei (Japanese-American), Rod joins the Judo school and is soon deep in a strange and fascinating new world.To his surprise Rod learns that Judo is, first of all, a sport with a strong and inspiring code of sportsmanship. Next he finds that Judo teaches courtesy, respect, and discipline as well as technique. Then, and most difficult of all for the fiery-tempered Rod, he discovers that the best thing a Judoist can do when a fight is starting is to walk away.Plenty of action, both on and off the Judo mat, keep this story of Rod Mitchell's self-development in Judo exciting. Based on accurate Judo data, it provides an original and valuable view of a new world of sport for boys.About the (From the dust jacket) "JOHN BALL, JR., is the author of two other books for boys, OPERATION SPRINGBOARD and SPACEMASTER 1, and of FLIGHT TEST CENTER OF THE U.S.A.F. Pilot, journalist, and specialist in the field of Japanese culture in the United States, Mr. Ball has written books and articles on aviation, music, sociology, and adventure, and mysteries. A member of the Judo Black Belt Federation of the U.S.A., he has cultivated his musical hobby of playing the Japanese samisen." Now Ball is best known for mystery novels involving the African-American police detective Virgil Tibbs. Tibbs was introduced in the 1965 novel IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel from the Mystery Writers of America and was made into an Oscar-winning film of the same name. Ball's departure from the mystery genre was a bestselling what-if political thriller THE FIRST TEAM.

Genres: Childrens

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Name used by John Dudley Ball for writing "books for boys" early in his career.

(From 1960 dustjacket bio) "JOHN BALL, JR., has led a double life, giving half of his time to flying and half to writing.

"As a youngster, he washed airplanes for barnstorming pilots in order to learn about aviation and get an occasional ride. In later years, a ground and flight instructor for Pan American World Airways, he lost track of the number of times he crossed the Atlantic. He was a commercial pilot, a member of the editorial staff of Fortune, music editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, assistant curator of the Hayden Planetarium, and a columnist on the New York World-Telegram and Sun, before he combined his two careers in his present job as Director of Public Relations of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences. Mr. Ball has written many articles, stories, and books. His previous book for boys was Operation Space, which drew on the experience acquired in both phases of his dual life, as does Spacemaster 1."

Now Ball is best known for mystery novels involving the African-American police detective Virgil Tibbs. Tibbs was introduced in the 1965 novel In The Heat Of The Night, which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel from the Mystery Writers of America and was made into an Oscar-winning film of the same name. Ball's departure from the mystery genre was a bestselling what-if political thriller The First Team.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. I read this many times as a youngster and wondered how I'd like it as an adult. Loved it. As well as having many facts about judo (funnily enough), it also taught the reader many things about being a decent person - which is also part of the practice that is judo. Absolutely recommend this book to anyone.

[David Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I 1st saw this on Amazon it looked so cool.Or at least the original pulp-like cover for the 1964 edition did.I purchased the much cheaper re-issue.The story comes to you from '64 the year judo was introduced at the Olympics.And this book is a great intro to young people to the "sport of judo".It's a young people's book and it has a storyline that's very similar to the original KARATE KID movie.Or should I say THE KARATE KID has a story that's similar to the one found in this book.It's a good read and would have made a good movie.I wish I had found it when I was ten.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 1967. Best book in the world (along with Black and Blue Magic).