Every middle school boy I know is fascinated with ninjas.   Actually, the girls are, too.  Who doesn’t want to feel like they have complete control of a situation, like they can stealthily overcome every obstacle in their path?   Adolescence is such a time of change and children at this age feel so out of control….their bodies are changing, school is getting harder, social issues seem insurmountable.   Being a ninja seems like the perfect solution.

I received a copy of A Warrior’s Soul to review.  In it, the characters are seventh graders in a public school who encounter serious bullies.  The adults in the community turn a blind eye and refuse to acknowledge the problem.   While the book seems to exaggerate the adults’ refusal to take charge, it’s clear that the children feel completely helpless.  In the past, I have heard my students say out of frustration, “Why should I tell?  No one will do anything.”    While the teachers and administration in our schools do make every effort to deal with bullying problems, unfortunately there are times when we might not be able to prevent every incident.  A Warrior’s Soul characters decide to stand up for themselves and try to deal with the problem.   There are some violent scenes in the book, as well as some situations with firearms.  There is a clear sense of right-from-wrong in this book; like most children, some of the characters don’t fully realize the consequences of their actions.  Overall, Staley does a good job of staying true to the ninja code.  I can’t wait to read the next one.

At the end of book, there is a selection of excellent classroom discussion questions.   Asking students to identify symbolism and perspective is a critical step to advanced reading.  A Warrior’s Soul gives teachers and parents the opportunity to discuss with children the ways to resolve serious situations. It’s difficult to find a book that will hit home with middle schoolers.   This is an excellent choice for reluctant readers in middle school.

SR Staley is an international traveler (he’s been to China over 20 times!)   His novels feature strong moral characters who aren’t afraid to face a tough situation.  Staley trains in To-Shin Do and enjoys running, sprint triathlons, alpine skiing, and snowboarding.  You can find out more about Staley and his books on his website.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to review. The opinions are 100% mine.  This post contains affiliate links.)