Choppy Socky Blues

Publishers Weekly

In picture book author/illustrator Briant's first novel, 14-year-old Jason wants to be nothing like his father, a stunt man who runs a karate dojo and left his family two years ago. But then Jason meets Tinga, who's training for her blue belt, and Jason immediately says he is, too, which means asking his father for help getting back into shape. This story line loses urgency as the book progresses, but action scenes in the dojo are well drawn. Things are further complicated when it turns out that Tinga is dating Jason's former friend Malcolm. An uncomfortable scene in the shower leads Jason to think that Malcolm might be gay, but Jason still feels awful when Tinga dumps Malcolm to be with him. He breaks up with her, and his attempt to win her back leads to a confrontation with Malcolm. Although secondary characters like Tinga and Malcolm are less developed, Jason's insecurities, resentment toward (and gradual peacemaking with) his father, and obsession with girls are believably rendered—he's the kind of awkward hero readers will be glad to see come into his own. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)

Jacqueline Bach

After fantasizing about girls he finds in his brother's magazine collection, 14-year-old Jay is smitten by a real girl for the first time—so much so, that he decides to turn to his father, whom he hasn't spoken to in two years, for help. You see, Tinga is going up for her blue belt in 21 days and has invited Jay, a green belt, to spar with her. The trouble is, Jay hasn't practiced in two years, hence the decision to get in touch with his father. And, to make matters worse, Jay finds out that Tinga and Malcolm, his friend, have been dating. With occasional frank discussions about sex, Briant's novel is a sort of Judy Blume meets Louise Rennison (it's set in Southern England) for boys. It's a humorous, touching book told from the point of view of a likeable male who is discovering the complexities of relationships for the first time. Reviewer: Jacqueline Bach

VOYA - Robbie Flowers

Jay is determined not to turn into his father—his stunt-man, womanizing, storm-trooper-portraying, karate-black-belt father. He's well on his way to avoiding that life until Tinga comes along. She is everything Jay could want in a girlfriend—funny, smart, and a green belt in karate. The problem is that she is already taken by Malcolm, the closest thing Jay knows as a best friend. One little lie to Tinga and he's faced with losing Malcolm's friendship and getting beaten to a pulp, all in one swoop. Jay finds himself thrust back into training for his blue belt in karate, something he hasn't done in two years. To make it worse, he has to be trained by the father he has been avoiding. Along the way, he tries to impress Tinga, gets his bike stolen, and is pummeled by a crazed sparring partner. Could there be any more action in this one? Probably not, but the pacing is right. The characters are interesting, and the plot is engaging. There is also a bit of mystery about the reasons Jay hasn't been allowed to see Malcolm, which will be revealed in time. This is a perfect find for any library serving teens. Its creative plot and interesting cast of characters will keep teens reading, and even capture boys' attention. The British slang is relatively easy to interpret and should be fun for the reader. This title is worthwhile for public and school libraries alike. Reviewer: Robbie Flowers

School Library Journal

Gr 6–10—Jay, 14, is tired of everyone comparing him to his father, who deserted the family. He wants to distance himself from everything he associates with his dad, including karate, which he used to love. But when he runs into a girl who makes his heart jump, he finds himself in the middle of a lie: he tells her that he is also a green belt about ready to test for his next rank. Tinga invites him to take part in her test, and he has to swallow his pride and ask his father, a movie stunt man and karate instructor, to train him. Worse, he discovers that Tinga is actually the girlfriend of an old pal, and that he is on the road to stealing her away and breaking up their relationship—something his father would be inclined to do. The concerns of a teen wanting to express himself as an individual are universal. Using language authentic to the South of England setting and with an authentic narrator, the story is likely to appeal to reluctant readers, but the Briticisms might be difficult for that audience. The martial-arts angle will draw an audience in areas where karate is popular.—Alana Joli Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Kirkus Reviews

Fourteen-year-old Jason Smallfield comes to understand that things are not always as they seem in a coming-of-age novel that packs a punch. Jason's father is a well-known movie stuntman, an expert in all things "choppy socky"-karate, defenestration and other fighting skills. Trevor Smallfield, according to Jason, is a man who lied, cheated and deserted his family, and Jason has never forgiven him, but the protagonist comes to realize that his parents, friends and Tinga, the girl he's falling in love with, aren't always what they seem. Could this be true of his father as well? Though everything Jason knows about girls comes from porn magazines, his relationship with a real girl named Tinga is appropriately sweet, restrained and tentative, and his growing understanding of the people in his world is subtly evoked. In a field of fine coming-of-age novels for girls, here's one that boys will get a kick out of. (Fiction. 12 & up)