Ken and the Samurai — Susannah Brin

Gr 4-6-In the first book, Ken is pulled through his computer screen into a Samurai computer game, and learns the power of concentration and discipline. In The Rabbit Tattoo, Bags encounters a strange new neighbor whose incredible talent with magic tricks makes him wonder if there is more to Alexander than meets the eye. In Under the Waterfall, Matt rescues his brother from Baron Everil with the help of Odhar, a magical woodsman, and conquers his fears in the process. While the characters are flat and the plots all too predictable, Brin's short chapter books with simple vocabulary and fast-paced action may hold some appeal for reluctant readers.-Trish Anderson, Pinkerton Elementary School, Coppell, TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.