GET MOONED

Meet Joey and Johnny—two students at Kick Foot Academy, “the world’s premier ninja school,” who are as irreverent, bumbling and hilarious as they come.

They are pals, though Joey is on the serious side, and Johnny has “a dooley-bopper sprouting from the top of his ninja mask.” Somehow the much-feared, extremely intimidating Headmaster FangSwan has chosen this dubious duo to watch over exchange student Knight-Lite. The headmaster suspects this boy is a spy and directs them to “watch everything he does,” including “bathroom time.” Pallace and Serwacki clearly delight in writing over-the-top dangerous situations that the boys and their friends must survive. At the crux of the book is a battle between Red Moon Clan and KFA. Red Moon is all about utilizing the latest technology to give them tactical advantages even if the students do not really know how to use it properly. But Joey and Johnny, running on adrenaline and a fierce desire not to let down their teachers, who are dedicated to the traditional ninja way, rely on their outlandish ideas to unbelievably save the day. Spot illustrations and occasional comic-strip sequences are liberally used throughout, adding more opportunities for readers to chuckle.

Those in search of a humorous, high-interest title that will especially appeal to boys need look no further—and a projected sequel will continue the madcap adventures.