Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters

Gr 5–8—Sixth grader Xander Miyamoto is a talented artist, but he's resigned to being considered below average in almost every other way, so when he is revealed to be the last in a line of mythical Japanese warriors, he's not sure he's up for the task. His father is swallowed by a sinister tsunami that appears out of nowhere, and Xander reluctantly accepts his destiny as Momotaro, setting forth on a quest aboard a magical ship to rescue him. His whimsical adventures parallel the traditional Momotaro tale as Xander comes face-to-face with a variety of creatures and demons from Japanese myth. He is accompanied by his loyal best friend, who sprouts wings, and they are joined by a spirited girl who argues as much as she helps them, fulfilling the roles of Momotaro's animal companions, as is customary in the traditional Japanese folktales. Though the story of Momotaro is familiar to every Japanese child, Dilloway seamlessly weaves necessary background information into the fast-paced, action-filled plot. Xander, a Japanese American boy raised near San Diego, hardly knows the legend himself, so readers learn along with him. Xander's candid and straightforward first-person narration will instantly resonate with middle grade readers, as will his story's themes of self-acceptance and friendship. Yoon's comic-style illustrations evoke Xander's talent for drawing and bring welcome visual interest for reluctant readers.