Martial arts

Game Of Freedom: Mestre Bimba And The Art Of Capoeira

An illuminating biography of Mestre Bimba, a capoeira player who used art in resistance to racial oppression, transforming a marginalized practice into a global sensation. Part art form, part martial arts, dance, music, acrobatics and spirituality, capoeira is difficult to not only to define, but declare where it originated from. It can be said, with certainty, that Brazil was the only country in the world where it was being played in the early 20th century, mainly by people of African decent.  The game was outlawed in 1890, just two years after Brazil abolished slavery, but by the early 1920s Mestre Bimba advocated for capoeira and the people who played it.

This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.

Peasprout Chen

Peasprout Chen dreams of becoming a legend of wu liu, the deadly and beautiful art of martial arts figure skating. As the first students from the rural country of Shin to attend Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword, Peasprout and her little brother Cricket have some pretty big skates to fill. They soon find themselves in a heated competition for top ranking. Tensions rise when the dazzling pearl buildings of the Academy are vandalized and outsider Peasprout is blamed for the attacks by her rivals and even some friends. Now, she must uncover the true vandal to ensure peace between Shin and Pearl – all while becoming a champion.

Blood Ninja III

The fate of feudal Japan hangs in the balance in this bloody conclusion to the epic trilogy. Taro is at a crossroads: He has vanquished Lord Oda for good, but with no land and no title, he has no hope of marrying Hana, the daughter of a daimyo. So when Taro receives news of a murderous dragon and the large reward for killing it, he and his friends find themselves on a dangerous quest to slay the beast. Their mission has the potential to save the people of Japan—but failure will result in the deaths of thousands. And dragons are not the only monsters they will encounter: The dead, led by the odious Kenji Kira, have begun to rise, and they have Taro in their sights. In this heart-stopping conclusion to the Blood Ninja trilogy, the future of all feudal Japan is in danger, and everything Taro holds dear will be threatened. But it is the betrayal of flesh and blood—his own flesh and blood—that may be his ultimate undoing.

Crouching Tiger

A Chinese-American boy gains a new understanding of his Chinese grandfather in this celebratory story of family, martial arts, and the Chinese New Year. Vinson is very excited when his grandfather comes from China for a visit. When Grandpa practices tai chi in the garden, Vinson asks to learn, hoping it will be like kung fu, full of kicks and punches. But tai chi’s meditative postures are slow and still, and Vinson quickly gets bored. He can’t understand why Grandpa insists on calling him by his Chinese name, Ming Da, or why he has to wear a traditional Chinese jacket to the Chinese New Year parade. As the parade assembles, however, he notices the great respect given to his grandfather and the lion dancers under his training. And when Vinson is offered a role in the parade, he realizes that being part Chinese can be pretty cool—and is ready to start learning from his grandpa’s martial-arts mastery in earnest.

The Lost Scrolls: Fire (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

If you are reading this, you have uncovered one of the four hidden scrolls I have compiled about the world of Avatar. This scroll contains sacred information about the Fire Nation — stories, legends, and facts that I have found so far about this nation — its history and culture and tales of its past and present.
Katara describes how Aang outwits and defeats the dreaded Admiral Zhao and the Fire Navy, Aang tells how he comes to accept his destiny, and Prince Zuko recalls the time he once captured — and lost — the Avatar. The scroll also contains information about leaders of the Fire Nation, Firebending techniques, the spirit world, and much more.

Keep this scroll safe, and share it only with those you trust.

Beware, for there are many who wish to expose its secrets…

The Lost Scrolls: Water (Avatar)

If you are reading this, you have uncovered one of the four hidden scrolls I have compiled about the world of Avatar. This scroll contains all of the knowledge that I have gathered so far about the Water Tribes — their history and culture and the great tales of their past and present. Katara recounts her discovery of the Avatar in the iceberg, Sokka remembers his childhood upon seeing their father’s old friend, and Aang tells of his lessons with the Waterbending master in the North. The scroll also contains information about Waterbending moves, Healers, Water tribe traditions, and much more. Keep this scroll safe, and share it only with those you trust. Beware, for there are many who wish to expose its secrets…

White Crane

Even though he has only one leg, Niya Moto is studying to be a samurai, and his five fellow-students are similarly burdened, but sensei Ki-Yaga, an ancient but legendary warrior, teaches them not only physical skills but mental and spiritual ones as well, so that they are well-equipped to face their most formidable opponents at the annual Samurai Games.

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

This is the first book in a new epic trilogy that has already become a bestselling sensation in England and Australia, earning comparisons to The Lord of the Rings. It begins with the legend of a nightingale floor in a black-walled fortress-a floor that sings in alarm at the step of an assassin. It will take true courage and all the skills of an ancient Tribe for one orphaned youth named Takeo to discover the magical destiny that awaits him…across the nightingale floor.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 1