Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series by Marcus Emerson

Ill. by David Lee. Allen and Unwin, 2017.
Diary of a 6th Grade Ninjabk 1. ISBN: 9781760295554
Pirate Invasion bk. 2 ISBN: 9781760295561
Rise of the Red Ninjas bk. 3
ISBN: 9781760295578
A Game of Chase bk. 4ISBN: 9781760295585
(Age: 8-10) Recommended. Marcus Emerson's Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja books are short, fun and easy to read. They are just right for Middle Primary students, for readers who love the diary-style series and are great for engaging the reluctant boy reader. The protagonist talks directly to the audience, exploring his feelings, his self-perceptions and problems.
New student, Chase Cooper chronicles his experiences in 6th Grade at Buchanan School. Luckily, his cousin Chloe is there to guide and support him. During gym class Chase, Zoe and Brayden a new friend and werewolf hunter, encounter a secret group of ninjas practising their moves in the woods next to the track. All clothed in black outfits with ninja masks; they kidnap Brayden and demand that Zoe and Chase steal a student's purse and the food-drive collection money. Will the cousins stand up for what is right or agree to complete the tasks and become part of the ninja group?
In Pirate Invasion, pirates overrun Chase's school; they talk like pirates, act and dress as pirates and they plot to change the school mascot. Even Chloe and Brayden betray Chase and join the pirate team. Chase must face his nemesis, Buccaneer Captain Carlyle and his cousin Wyatt who was the bully from the first book. The choices Chases make and the actions he undertakes deliver important messages: stand up to bullies, be responsible, resilient and brave, do not give in to peer pressure.
Rise of the Red Ninjas simply starts with Chase's stolen backpack that contains his science homework and a love note to his lab partner Faith. A consequence of the Red Ninja's actions is the demolition of the training camp and woods beside the gym track. Wyatt and Carlyle join forces to embarrass Faith and Chase at the Skate Party, however cousin Zoe steps in with some words of advice. Instead of fighting the bullies, she suggests that Chase changes the game and they compete in a skating race. Chase comes to the realisation that he does not care what others think.
A Game of Chase involves the Science Fair, sabotage, a kidnapping and a surprising villainess.
The Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series has fun, lively comic strip drawings by David Lee and delivers action-paced school life adventures with important wellbeing and anti-bullying messages.
Rhyllis Bignell