Hattori Hachi: The Revenge of the Praying Mantis by Jane Prowse (Children's, 10 years +)

March 2011, Piccadilly
284 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: family secrets, trust no one, ninjas, ninja magic, rigorous training, intruders, kidnapping, arson, disguises, deception, growing up, true friendship, single parent, GCSEs, some fighting, arson, humour

Summary from Piccadilly

An ancient ancestry to uncover, and a destiny to discover

'Run!' Mad Dog shouts. 'Run, Hattie – RUN!'
 

I turn again and see the impossible – shadowy figures are filling the room! The graffiti on the walls is not graffiti at all – it's real people and they're PEELING OFF THE WALLS!

Hattie Jackson is just an ordinary fifteen-year-old – until her mother disappears and Hattie's life is turned upside down. With the help of her friend Mad Dog, Hattie discovers the truth about her mother's 'other life' and the role she must now take on to defeat a terrifying league of evil ninjutsu warriors, led by Praying Mantis – the most deadly assassin known to man .

Nayuleska's thoughts

Hatti is as funky as the cover. I thought Yazuki was overly harsh on her at one point, but then realised that had to happen for Hattie to grow. Yazuki is as cool as Yoda from Star Wars. Life gets quite grim but Hattie has an inner strength. I loved the role her best friend Neena played in the story - I foresee Neena helping Haatie a lot in future books of this 9/10 read.

You can find out more about Hattie on the dedicated website .

Suggested read

If you like this, try another japanese ninja book The Warrior's Path: Sisters of the Sword by Maya Snow