The Secret Path of Ned the Ninja: Reluctant Hero

by Kea Alwang, Melissa Mertz

Hey ... I'm Ned Herts. But you can call me Ned the Nerd. No, really ... I don't mind. My hobbies include: video games, comic books, creating superhero characters, bringing home awesome grades, tumbling into school lockers, and handing over my lunch money. Talents? Well, I have mastered the art of duck-and-cover while steering clear of Beck the Bonebreaker, my personal bully. Unfortunately, a super-bad school day involving a paper cut causes my parents to flip: They drag me to a karate class to toughen up. Let me tell you something: When a guy like me lines up next to a cute girl to face his very first workout at the mercy of a weapons-happy martial arts teacher, it's not pretty. But when a guy like me gets hauled into the woods in the middle of the night for another lesson, he's going to wonder if superheroes can really exist and if his uncoordinated feet have just been placed on a very strange path.

102 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

Kea Alwang lives in New Jersey building worlds, reading, and indulging in severe caffeine and chocolate addictions. Her podcaster husband, film-obsessed son, book-munching daughter, and self-absorbed parakeet are among those who put up with her unnatural attachment to the keyboard. Despite creating characters who can’t wait to leave this planet, she actually loves the Earth, but wishes bullies and the word moist would just disappear.

Reviews

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ned is a bright fifth grader who admits to being a nerd and a klutz. He is taunted in school by Jared Beck, appropriately named Beck the Bonebreaker. When his parents can take no longer take the bullying and taunting, they enroll Ned in karate class. Ned paints a pathetic but humorous scene of his first day in class. The only saving grace is finding that he has a crush on one of the students, Adrianna. Ned is thrown into the fray with no leniency for being a new student. At first Ned is tempted to quit, but he changes his mind when the Tora Khan appears in his bedroom to give him a one to one training lesson. Is it a dream?

The next morning, Ned awakes and is still not sure when strange things begin to happen. When Ned gets to school, he discovers that he is no longer the person everyone knows. Ned learns that fears limit our capabilities. If one can take away fear by redirecting thoughts, limitations can be overcome. Our minds can be made to re-channel our fears and weaknesses.

Ned is such a likable character. He is funny, vulnerable, sincere and honest. Middle grade readers will empathize and grow with this character. The details of karate class keep the story line novel and interesting. Both sexes will enjoy the read. Recommended for all ages eight and up. I read the fifty five page book in one sitting.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

First reads book.

Good fun! Please write more!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love this book. Also, gave it to my daughter's fourth grade teacher and she liked it too.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found much of the dialogue annoying, but I'm in my 70s. I like to preread books that I'm giving to my grandkids and often find gems. This book wasn't a gem for me, but I'm sure it will be enjoyed by the kids.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ned is a nerd and a wonderful one at that. He'd be happy in his nerdom (or so he thinks) if it wasn't for the bully at school and his parents, who insist he become stronger. And so Ned steps pretty unwillingly into a new phase of life.

Ned has a wonderful sense of humor and is very easy to sympathize with. Like so many kids, he's trying to figure out who he is and runs into several sticky situations as he learns to accept himself and properly handle those around him. Readers this age will have no problem understanding him and possibly seeing a little of themselves in Ned.

The story is nicely paced, never leaving a moment for boredom. The scenes are vivid without being overly described and I especially enjoyed Ned's interaction with his parents and friends.

Of course, there are many issues addressed in this book. Bullying, self-esteem, dealing with others and daring to step a little out of the comfort zone. And I found the authors did a great job bringing over their messages in a way kids will understand and can identify with. Plus, I'm betting that by the end of this book, the reader will want to become a ninja themselves.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book. Tons of enjoyment for the whole family. Lots of laughs and plenty of fun. I wish this book would of been around when I was a nerdy kid. I won this through a Goodreads giveaway, and I will certainly be looking out for future books from the author.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story, but as I read it, "graphic novel" was screaming inside my head!

[Bryan457 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, funny, but very very short read. It was more like the first chapter of a book than the first book in a series.