Two Foot Punch

Nikki blames her brother, Derek, for their parents' death in a house fire, but when Derek gets involved with a gang, Nikki knows she is the only one who can save him. Enlisting the help of a girl named Rain, who uses her athletic abilities to carry out acts of petty thievery, Nikki uses all her gymnastic and free-running skills to stay ahead of the gang and keep her brother from being killed. Anita Daher began her life in a small town on Prince Edward Island, but left at the age of five, remaining something of a gypsy ever since. Her most recent book for Orca is Racing For Diamonds. Anita lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with her husband, two daughters, one basset hound and a Westfalia camper van named Mae.

Children's Literature

Nikki finds herself living in a new city with her aunt, who is a judge. Nikki's brother has basically tuned out both Nikki and their aunt, leaving Nikki struggling to deal with the death of their parents as well as a new home. Without friends in Winnipeg, Nikki feels that she is wandering aimlessly without a support group that she so badly needs. This support group is her friends in the sport of parkour, which is Nikki's true love . In her words, "Parkour is about movement. It's about making anything in my path a part of my run. It's about overcoming obstacles by moving over or through them. Parkour is an attitude. Above all it's about being free." (p. 2) Readers will find that this book is a worthwhile introduction into the sport of parkour. As Nikki begins to find her place and make friends, she discovers that her brother is in serious trouble and she is the one to help him. The additional elements of mystery and excitement make it more than just a book about a sport. It also deals with judging people by their outer image before you get to know the inner person. Easy to read, it will be encouraging for reluctant readers who are daunted by more challenging books. Reviewer: Naomi Williamson