THE WIND WARRIOR

A New Jersey karate instructor and a photographer team up to follow Nick, a 14-year-old brown belt, from the rigors of training to a pair of medals at a statewide tournament. Young readers will get a good sense of what happens in class—exercises, sparring, katas (Nick also practices with weapons in an adult class)—and how tournaments are conducted and scored. Girls and women are obviously much in the minority here, but they get nearly equal attention. A cautionary safety note is present, though buried in the acknowledgments; the author closes with advice to parents on choosing a martial arts school. The look of karate, as well as some of its excitement, are nicely captured in b&w photos and photo sequences. (Nonfiction. 9-12)