The power and prowess of ninja never seem to lose their appeal to young readers, especially boys. Blue Fingers, a suspenseful, action-packed coming-of-age story set in feudal Japan, offers an up-close look at this noble, fierce way of life.Through an odd twist of fate, a stubborn twelve-year-old boy named Koji is kidnapped by a secret ninja clan and taken to its hidden camp high in the mountains. He wants desperately to return home, but that is forbidden. He must forget his old life and become a ninja-or die. In this carefully researched and well-crafted novel, Koji must learn to survive in the mysterious and dangerous world of the ninja and fulfill a destiny far different from any he could have imagined. Afterword. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Whitesel's (Rebel: A Tibetan Odyssey) often gripping historical novel explores a 12-year-old peasant boy's adventures as a ninja in Japan's Iga Mountains in 1545. In the action-packed, atmospheric opening pages, Koji's more adept twin, Taro (twins were considered unlucky in feudal Japan), rescues a master dye maker from drowning. The master rewards him with an offer to apprentice-but, for mysterious reasons, their parents substitute Koji. Homesick Koji fails miserably at the tasks set him and is sent home, shamed, but when he sees how angrily Taro reacts to his return, Koji runs off to the forest, where a young warrior kidnaps him and brings him to the ninja mountain training camp. Whitesel demonstrates how Koji's initial distrust and fear of the ninja gives way to an attempt to prove himself loyal to them. Finally he embarks on ninja training, learning not only to wield weapons and disguises but to develop his senses and to focus his energy, or ki. "A ninja's first priority is to win without fighting. Preparation. Stealth. Deception. Subterfuge." Whitesel highlights the ninja code of honor as the characters attempt to rid the kingdom of firearms. Despite a few loose ends, readers will be made curious about Japanese culture and history as they become ensnared in this adventure. Ages 10-14. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 5-9-An adventure set in 16th-century Japan. Because twins are believed to be bad luck, Kojiro and Taro's parents have always tried to conceal the fact that they have two sons, not one. After Taro saves the life of a master dye maker, the man wants to reward his rescuer with an apprenticeship. The boys' parents send Koji instead, hoping the dyer will not notice the difference, but the artisan soon grows impatient with Koji's clumsy ways and sends him home. Shamed, Koji runs away and is captured in the forest by people who call themselves "grass," but who are, as he soon realizes, ninja-a mysterious group with impressive skills who have set themselves up against the ruling samurai. Under the demanding tutorial of his captor, a boy only slightly older, and other instructors, Koji grows beyond his fears and self-pity, develops a more accurate vision of himself and his society as well as a strong body, and finally becomes the ninja Blue Fingers. The author throws light on Koji's sense of failure, as well as the historical roots of the ninja and their true-rather than pop culture-goals. The plot is filled with twists and turns involving hidden identity, warfare, and the ways in which a warlord's superstitions can be used against him. Both rousing and thoughtful, this novel opens an unfamiliar time to most readers and offers an accurate look at these secretive warriors.-Coop Renner, Fairmeadows Elementary, Duncanville, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 5-8. Twelve-year-oldoji's life is transformed when he is captured in a forest and forced to attend a mysterious ninja training camp high in the mountains near his home. At first he mistrusts and is mistrusted, but soon he becomes a fully trained blade of grass and takes part in dangerous raids against a corrupt lord. The most engaging passages of the novel describe these raids and the warriors' sometimes brutal training regime: infants' joints are temporarily unhinged to accustom them to pain, increase their overall agility, and allow them to hide in unlikely places. Whitesel includes a lot for readers who like action stories, but she also delivers enough ninjutsu philosophy to give older middle-graders something to think about. An author's note provides interesting insight into the mystery surrounding ninjas and explains their evolution from fighting farmers to dark-garbed terrors in the night. A glossary ofapanese terms and a bibliography of further readings are appended. --Cindy Welch Copyright 2004 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.