Tournament Trouble

Gr 4–6—A journey into the world of video games and violence. Jaden loves playing Cross-Ups, a popular video game. However, he has to hide his gaming from his parents, as his mother does not approve. When Jaden is invited to participate in a Cross-Ups tournament, he isn't sure how he'll get his permission form signed. On top of this, his best friend and next-door neighbor, Cali, might be moving away. Jaden's attempts to hide his gaming from his parents are realistic and relatable. Gamers will sympathize with Jaden's simultaneous desires to please his parents and also to play the game he loves. Jaden's Chinese heritage is front and center in this story, which is peppered with Mandarin words and phrases. Chiang also tackles the topic of bullying, as Jaden and his friends are placed in a tutoring group with two mean boys from their math class. A secondary plot revolving around Jaden's best friend, Cali, receives less attention than the antics involved in signing up for and attending the Cross-Ups tournament. A happy but open-ended conclusion paves the way for further titles.