The Big Show

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Sidney is approaching his 13th birthday, and his mother is concerned
that he isn’t ready to be a teenager. Charlie’s family believes that
he doesn’t take anything seriously, and Jeffrey’s mother doesn’t
see her son as a competent and capable young man. When Sensei Duncan
announces the Annual Big Show Sparring Tournament, all three friends see
it as a chance to make their families proud. At the tournament, Charlie
fights long and hard and although he doesn’t win the competition, he
does win the respect of his family and friends. Sidney loses his cool in
the match, but regains his composure to help coach his friend Jeffrey to
victory. Jeffrey wins the day, and his mother is able to see that he is
not the fragile little boy she had imagined him to be.

This latest story in the Black Belt Series shows how the practice of
karate transforms these young men in various ways. Each one has
“sparring” situations of one kind or another in his day-to-day life,
and as they develop their karate skills, they become more skilled at
coping with other challenges. Although the story has a serious
undertone, it includes a great deal of witty repartee, as well as
amusing scenes, which will especially appeal to the preteen male.
Recommended.