Written in the format of a scrapbook, Master Wu passes on his knowledge and experience of the Spinjitzu art to his successors. This book is a “How to” book giving illustrations of the techniques, history of the art, and understanding of the lives of those who choose Spinjitzu. The pages are beautifully drawn in the styling of Asian art while at the same time having images and thoughts appear to be taped into the margins. It is full of knowledge and background of the ninjas who practice Spinjitzu. There were only a few parts where I was lost – having not seen any of the movies/T.V. shows or read any of the other Ninjago books.

This book naturally draws boys to it. The martial arts, fighting, and weaponry is all mild. It takes the form of history giving or educational, rather than detailed examples. The information covers the ninjas themselves, their pasts, the history of Spinjitzu, their weapons, their potential vehicles in the future, their schedule of training, illustrations of their moves, and some of the battles they have been in. This book was very well done. It keeps the reader engaged with both artwork and text.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None 

Violence/Gore:  Being thrown, tripped, or smashed in training; minor bit by poisonous snake; man made tornadoes strong enough to blow enemies to city; threat of stopping at nothing; minor kicked minor through support beam; minor lashed out in anger almost destroying monastery; report of parental death; brothers fighting; report of kidnapping; many references to fights, battles, wars, confrontations, and/or defeating others; final battle will be between parent and child; mentions death of character; unexpected blow; kicks and punches; nearly crushed person; implied death; threat to city; threat to world; crash; tribes turned on him; illustrations of Spinjitzu moves; destroyed mannequins.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Martial arts, Good vs. Evil, abandonment of family, weapons, battles/wars.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None