Momotaro Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters

January 15, 2016
Dilloway introduces Xander Miyamoto, a talented cartoon artist and otherwise average eighth-grader living outside San Diego. Motherless Xander comes from an ancient line of Japanese heroes called Momotaro, who travel with a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. "You've seen all the horrible tragedies happening around us," says Xander's grandmother Obachan. "That means the oni are very strong indeed. Momotaro is the warrior who keeps them at bay." These Japanese mythological creatures heighten the tension in this frenetic quest, which is punctuated by Yoon's mangalike illustrations. Right at the start, an earthquake and flood transport the scrawny boy, his dog, Inu, and his athletic white pal, Peyton, into a parallel universe of monsters that rival anything from Greek mythology. As foreshadowed by one of Xander's own comic books, the boys travel through dangerous lands, facing brutal traps and shape-shifting demons with the help of a prickly girl named Jinx. Xander's narration effectively balances the inner turmoil facing the main characters against the beasts they battle. Even when Xander sleeps, his subconscious mind becomes the most powerful tool he has. Xander is mixed-race, Japanese and white, an identity that is explored sensitively and forthrightly. A breathless retelling of the Japanese legend of Momotaro, this is an Asian version of Percy Jackson; adventure fans will be waiting for more. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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April 1, 2016

Gr 5-8-Sixth grader Xander Miyamoto is a talented artist, but he's resigned to being considered below average in almost every other way, so when he is revealed to be the last in a line of mythical Japanese warriors, he's not sure he's up for the task. His father is swallowed by a sinister tsunami that appears out of nowhere, and Xander reluctantly accepts his destiny as Momotaro, setting forth on a quest aboard a magical ship to rescue him. His whimsical adventures parallel the traditional Momotaro tale as Xander comes face-to-face with a variety of creatures and demons from Japanese myth. He is accompanied by his loyal best friend, who sprouts wings, and they are joined by a spirited girl who argues as much as she helps them, fulfilling the roles of Momotaro's animal companions, as is customary in the traditional Japanese folktales. Though the story of Momotaro is familiar to every Japanese child, Dilloway seamlessly weaves necessary background information into the fast-paced, action-filled plot. Xander, a Japanese American boy raised near San Diego, hardly knows the legend himself, so readers learn along with him. Xander's candid and straightforward first-person narration will instantly resonate with middle grade readers, as will his story's themes of self-acceptance and friendship. Yoon's comic-style illustrations evoke Xander's talent for drawing and bring welcome visual interest for reluctant readers. VERDICT This fast-paced fantasy adventure with a foundation in Japanese culture is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2016
Grades 4-7 Xander Musashi Miyamoto is a half-Asian sixth-grader whose major interest is playing and coding computer games. When strange things begin to happen, his obachan (grandmother) reveals that Xander comes from a long line of Momotaro warriors and only he can rid the world of oni (demons). Reluctantly, Xander sets sail on a magical ship with his dog and best friend, and they are taken to unknown worlds and meet the final person for their crewJinx, the monkey girl. Entrusted with two ancient figurines for his quest, Xander heeds Obachan's counsel to find strength in faith and imagination, each helping him to uncover the power to succeed within himself. With phantasmagorical environments, flying white rats, a fire-breathing bird, a giant, a snow demon, and other creepy things, there is abundant action. This retelling of a Japanese folktale celebrates courage, friendship, and pride of heritage, while featuring unforgettable characters and leaving readers eager for the next installment in this new series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)