Junior Ninja Champion: The Competition Begins

Junior Ninja Champion #1

by Catherine Hapka

For ninja fans everywhere, this action-packed adventure series brings five unlikely friends together to compete in the first-ever Junior Ninja competition. 

Izzy, Ty, Kevin, JJ, and Mackenzie don't have a lot in common. But they have all seen the reality TV obstacle competition  National Ninja Champion .

When news breaks that there's going to be a kids' version of the show—and tryouts are just a few miles away—all five find themselves drawn to the obstacle course at Fit Kidz Gym. Before they know it, they've become a team—training together and helping one another overcome all kinds of obstacles as they compete for the title of Junior Ninja Champion. With lots of heart and edge-of-your-seat excitement, Junior Ninja Champion packs in the action of the competition along with all the ups and downs on the journey to making it.

Who will secure a spot in the finals, and who will be named Junior Ninja Champion?

Look for the sequel coming in January 2019!

Genres: Sports, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2018

About the author

Catherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5 year old son is really into American Ninja Warrior, and we *loved* reading this book together. Before this, he had only read much shorter juvenile chapter books like Junie B Jones and The Magic Treehouse series, so I was not sure he would be able to sustain listening to the much more dense chapters plus many more characters to follow. Reading 1-3 chapters a night, it took us nearly a month to get through (with breaks on some nights that he lost interest). The first few chapters were not very exciting, especially as he was unfamiliar with parkour. But about 1/3 of the way through the book, as the characters began training in the ninja gym, it really got interesting.

My son is literally watching the new junior version of American Ninja Warrior as I type, and he can't wait to read the sequel to this book together. Highly recommended for fans of ninja obstacle competitions.

[Meredith Spidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a win for my 9-year-old son! It is hard to get him into novels, but he snatched this one right up! He is so into American Ninja Warrior, so this held a huge appeal. Thanks to Houghton Mifflin for sending us a copy for review--it is a definite hit!

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wooden, predictable and boring. And how old is the author anyway? She appears unfamiliar with the details of modern life. One mom always had a handkerchief in her pocket/purse (I don't remember which one), the kids put on their "sneakers" for ninja training, and characters talked on "cell phones". Really? What decade are we supposed to be in, anyway? 1960s, 1980s, or early 2000s? I would go back to check these references, but I just don't want to open this book again.

My ninja-loving second grader seemed interested in seeing the story through to the end, but there was literally nothing new, interesting or unique for me to talk about with him as we finished reading each day. Honestly, the tedious and formulaic Magic Tree House books are better than this story, and that bar is very, very low.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 star rating - The first few chapters introducing several different characters might be a little challenging for reluctant readers. But if they stick with it, the action picks up once the characters begin training for the Junior Ninja Champion. The plot was fairly simplistic, revolving entirely around the competition, and the majority occurs either during training sessions at the gym or at the competition. Q&A with a competitor on the television show American Ninja Warrior is included at the end of the book, which I found interesting and informational. (This book has been nominated for the 2021 Sasquatch Award.)

[Marie (IfCatsCouldRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the variety of characters in this story. This is a great new topic for kids to read about since they watch Ninja Warriors on television. I also liked that she put in a character who wasn't a good sport (which is not resolved in this book but may be later in the series). The topic of teamwork comes up more than once. Our school district is using this book as one of our reading challenge choices and I think the kids will love it.

[Maria Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good messages about teamwork, practice and working hard and doing your personal best work.

[Kerry Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m ready for book 2! I need to know how the finals go.

[Liz Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic book for ninja warrior fans in upper elementary and middle school. Characters are relatable.

[Erica Hake · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was
A good book but you have to like sports unless you don't sports.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and fun story that will appeal to a lot of upper elementary readers. I’m tracking down book 2 immediately.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fine book... some nice interactions between characters, a little tension, but a good story about teams and the individuals who are part of them.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disparate kids form a team to participate in a competition of ninja style events. About friendship and teamwork

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute book that is great for any kids who like obstacle courses and watching American Ninja Warrior- there is even an interview in the back with an ANW!

[Aeicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Competition Begins is the first book in the exciting and addictive Junior Ninja Champion series. Readers will eagerly turn pages as they join the relatable young characters on their inspiring journey to be a Junior Ninja Champion, from training to trials and beyond. Hapka explores important themes such as friendship, hard work, dedication, and physical fitness throughout the book. Young readers will surely fly through this book and eagerly anticipate the sequel.