Chasing the Secret

April 15, 2010
Grades 5-8 The second book of the Sisters of the Sword series, set in ancient Japan, begins where the first one left off: with Kimi and Hana hiding from their murderous uncle Hidehira in a school for budding samurai. But then their beloved teacher dies, and Hidehiras appearance at the school for the funeral forces them to flee once more. Although the elements of the overall plotline can be predictable, the particulars of this series rarely are. For instance, early on, the girls are fearful their uncle will open and read a message for their mother. In many books, hed be foiled or interrupted, but not here. He realizes the girls identity, and instead of a rather dreary wait for the reveal, the action begins immediately as the girls flee. In fact, the whole book is full of actionlots of running, climbing, crashing, and fightingsometimes at the expense of actual plot. Still, the girls are worthy heroines, and if the books ending is abrupt, it will only make readers want more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)