  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 02/01/2016 Xander Musashi Miyamoto is a half-Asian sixth-grader whose major interest is playing and coding computer games. When strange things begin to happen, his obachan (grandmother) reveals that Xander comes from a long line of Momotaro warriors and only he can rid the world of oni (demons). Reluctantly, Xander sets sail on a magical ship with his dog and best friend, and they are taken to unknown worlds and meet the final person for their crew—Jinx, the monkey girl. Entrusted with two ancient figurines for his quest, Xander heeds Obachan’s counsel to find strength in faith and imagination, each helping him to uncover the power to succeed within himself. With phantasmagorical environments, flying white rats, a fire-breathing bird, a giant, a snow demon, and other creepy things, there is abundant action. This retelling of a Japanese folktale celebrates courage, friendship, and pride of heritage, while featuring unforgettable characters and leaving readers eager for the next installment in this new series. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
 |