The youngest of five orphaned monks who escaped the pillage of their monastery, 11-year-old Malao races through treetops, leaps amazing heights, and practices a monkey style of martial arts. Too squeamish to help brother Hok protect the corpse of their Grandmaster, Malao meets up with brothers, Lu and Seh, as they attempt to take their sacred scrolls to Shaolin Temple. Along the way, mischievous Malao encounters bandits; an army of macaques and a ferocious enemy, Tsung. Monkey retains the intriguing kung fu elements, exotic setting, and pell-mell pace of Tiger (2005), but heavy-handed plotting, stilted conversations, and hokey relationships make this a disappointing sequel. Avid fans will want to continue the kung fu saga, but this second of five projected installments does not measure up to the first.

Gr 5-9-Set in medieval China, each book in this series focuses on one of five young orphan monks. Each one is named after a specific animal and is learning a kung-fu-style martial art based on its characteristics. In the opening pages of Tiger and this sequel, their secret temple is attacked by a former student who is attempting to turn himself into a dragon. Their teacher, the Grandmaster, is killed and the five scatter into the forest. This sets up a tense plot that moves quickly from fight scene to fight scene with character and plot development being filled in between battles. Eleven-year-old Malao, the "Monkey," is the youngest monk and is prone to giggling and avoiding baths. Initially uncertain without his brothers by his side, he is befriended by an albino macaque who is the leader of a troop of monkeys. Human/animal interaction is a central theme of both books as is the idea of the "Chosen One" or, in this case, "Chosen Five." While both books begin at the same moment and then follow a separate character, their stories meet at points and the second book takes readers farther along in the narrative. Mysteries abound, with many left unresolved at the end. It is important to read this series in order. Stone has done a masterful job of managing an intricate plot, developing authentic characters, and writing well-described fight scenes. An easy and worthy sell to middle-grade readers.-Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Monkey wants some mangoes and Crocodile wants some monkey—and neither is about to give up in this traditional Indian trickster tale. McDermott's bright and funny text coupled with his equally colorful and lively collage illustrations ably depict the mischievous, nimble primate and his greedy reptilian foe on a glowing background of energetic orange. In an effort to reach the island where the mangoes grow, Monkey accepts a ride from Crocodile and in mid-journey discovers that Crocodile is craving a snack—him! Can Monkey escape? Using his wits, he explains that the monkey heart Crocodile so craves is hidden on shore in a tree—one that, as it turns out, the croc cannot possibly climb. Next, stealthy Crocodile sees that Monkey has discovered a path of rocks that leads to the island. After gathering a load of mangoes, Monkey scampers back only to recognize a suspiciously green rock that is able to speak when prodded. But Monkey still needs to get back home. Can he outmaneuver Crocodile a second time? Readers will laugh out loud at Monkey's escapades and sigh in relief when he manages to get to safety. This final volume in McDermott's sextet of trickster tales is as full of kid appeal and entertaining as the rest and, like them, will power many an energetic read-aloud. (Picture book/folktale. 5-10)

This second entry in the series focuses on eleven-year-old Malao, the youngest of the five orphaned monks. On a quest to uncover secrets from his past, Malao encounters bandits and an army of macaques. Action and fight scenes abound in this fast-paced kung fu saga that, while contrived, will entertain fans of the genre.