SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

July 11, 2018 by Esther Keller

Review: Fruit Ninjas

July 11, 2018 by Esther Keller   Leave a Comment

When I took out my review copy and started to leaf through this book, my colleague called out to me “That’s a great game!” I’m not much of a gamer, nor are my kids, so I hadn’t heard of it, nor did I know it’s in production for a movie. I already knew that this is going to be of high interest, but after reading it, and armed with this knowledge, I’m certain it’s going to be in high demand

fruit ninjaFruit Ninja: Frenzy ForceBy Brendan Deboy. Illustrator Erich Owen
Amp Kids. May 2018. ISBN 9781449480974
PBK, $9.99. 80pp.
Grades 2 and up

Four friends, Ralph, Peng, Seb, and Niya, discover a hidden cache of costumes, weapons, and powers that have been dormant for 1,000 years. The kids train to fight and learn how to be Fruit Ninjas, but after a month, they are itching to use their powers and are itching to fight bad guys. Then adventure comes, as does the action.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

If you’re looking for a deep read, don’t come here. But if you’re looking for a fun, action-filled story with loads of humor and vibrant artwork, then do find a copy of this book. There are humorous characters, like the old man who explains what backstory is and shows up to warn the kids that bad guys are coming. There’s the bad guy, who’s somewhat suave and seemingly transparent, while the Fruit Ninjas seem rather naïve and well… thick. But they know how to fight, and they are part of a wonderfully entertaining story.

The artwork is much like an animated story, with rich colors. There are hints of manga in the artwork (look at the hair). The artwork certainly lends the feeling of excitement as Seb leads his friends to the hidden tunnel and the action and excitement of the fight scenes.

The back matter is actually great: There are instructions on how to create secret messages with lemon juice and a recipe for fruit smoothies. It also includes a history of ninjas and fruit. (So I knew the tomato was a fruit! But did you know that the Supreme Court ruled it was a vegetable?) Interesting tidbits.

Given that this is a media tie-in both in the world of video games and movies, this is a title worth add to your shelf for those who are interested.

I did have the opportunity to give this book to my third-grade son. He looked at it and said, “it looks funny.” He gave it back to me a short while later and said, “it was good.” I thought he’d be more enthusiastic, and asked why he wasn’t, and he answered, “because I want to know what happens next.”
A simple answer, but if I were a betting person, I’d bet there’s already another issue in the making.

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Reviews

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
AMP Kidsfruit ninjasreviewvideo game

About Esther Keller

Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

January 2023

Andy Warner's Oddball Histories: Pests and Pets | Review

by Esther Keller

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Esther Keller

January 2023

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin | Review

by Esther Keller

September 2022

History Comics: The Roanoke Colony | Review

by Esther Keller

September 2022

Batman's Mystery Casebook | Review

by Esther Keller

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Books from Pura Belpré Winners

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Newbery / Caldecott 2024: Spring Prediction Edition

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Pardalita | Preview

by Brigid Alverson

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Why Teens Should Read Hard History, a guest post by Lesley Younge

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey Try Something New

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Exclusive Excerpt of "The Baby-Sitters Club" Graphic Novel 'Jessi's Secret Language'

Graphic Novels for Armchair Campers | Stellar Panels

Saturday Morning Comics | Stellar Panels

YA Books Reflect the Activism of Real-Life Teens

A Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Book Challenge | Most Popular Posts on SLJ

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023