The Fastest Finish

October 15, 2018
The characters from The Competition Begins (2018) face choices and unexpected curveballs along the path to the Junior Ninja Champion finals.The premiere episode of the reality TV competition is such a hit that the producers decide to add a twist. There will be one more round of semifinals, a wildcard episode, which will send up to 10 new competitors to the finals. Hypercompetitive sports superstar Ty Santiago's furious--as an alternate, he's not eligible for another try at one of those new spots. He's quite grumpy when an aspiring wildcard joins the team at the kid-oriented gym his parents own: Noah Dhawan, a dancer with hidden motives. Despite Ty's hostility and Izzy's indifference, Noah (supported enthusiastically by Mackenzie) progresses well using his dancer athleticism and balance against the obstacles (described efficiently in the compact text). As the finals bear down on the cast, Izzy must make a choice between friendship and popularity or being a responsible competitor, and Ty's in the uncomfortable position of needing something bad to happen to someone in order to compete. When it comes down to it, though, these are good, maturing kids who make good choices. Of the central characters, implied-Latinx Ty, black Kevin, and biracial (Indian/white) Noah balance Izzy, Mackenzie, and JJ, all default white; competing teams display a fair amount of diversity as well. The ending notes the show's renewal for another season, prompting another installment.A fast, positive, athletically aspirational read. (Fiction. 9-12)

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January 1, 2019
Grades 4-7 Junior Ninja Champion is a big hit! The Fit Kidz team is training hard for the Hollywood finals, in which Izzy and J.J. have secured spots. However, Ty's place as an alternate is threatened when the producers hold a wildcard episode, giving 10 new ninjas a chance to go to the finals. Noah, a friend of Mack, is interested, so he joins the team, much to Ty's annoyance. Meanwhile, Izzy faces pressure by older friend Jess to come to a Memorial Day party the night before she leaves for California, and Noah successfully secures himself a spot in the finale. However, it's clear early on that the tweens are going to face some stiff competition! Hapka continues the adventures of these unorthodox junior athletes in a fast-paced sequel that keeps readers' attentions to the very end. It is refreshing to see young kids coping with their newfound fame. While the Fit Kidz story wraps up nicely, there is still plenty of room for sequels in the future.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)