Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl: The Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Book 1
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl: The Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Book 1, is the first book in a series by Julie Kagawa, popular author of fantasy series for young adults (12 or 14 and up), including Shadow of the Fox. This is her first series for a younger crowd (9 and up) and her first featuring Aztec mythology. The cast is diverse: 13-year-old Shinji's ancestors came from Japan to the United States, the explorers of the society are Indian and Latino, and their Asian drone expert uses a wheelchair. Expect big monster battles, dangerous booby traps, and near-deaths from drowning, stabbing, and falls. Villains with guns give chase through the jungle. One villain is killed in a burst of energy, others are killed in a pit of vipers. A house fire kills Shinji's parents when he's young. Shinji and his aunt are attacked and Shinji is kidnapped, his loved ones threatened. All other content is mild, with mentions of beer and a cigar and one plug for the magic of Disneyland. Shinji is the best kind of hero, taking on great responsibility when it's given to him, protecting his friends and family, and rising to every challenge.
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What's the Story?
In SHINJI TAKAHASHI AND THE MARK OF THE COATL: THE SOCIETY OF EXPLORERS AND ADVENTURERS, BOOK 1, Shinji and his Aunt Yui arrive in an African village on their trawler to purchase wares from local artisans. Shinji is already bored before he even gets off the boat, so his aunt sends him off with some money to pick a treasure all on his own. This leads to a discovery of a mysterious shop on the edge of a market with all kinds of creepy vibes. Shinji's not so sure if he finds a small statue of a feathered serpent or the other way around. It just feels right when he picks it off the dusty shelf. Even stranger, goons are waiting outside the shop offering him money for it. Losing them in the maze-like market isn't hard, but he can't escape them on his aunt's trawler later that night. Just before they can steal the idol from him, something truly strange happens: It jumps onto his arm and becomes a tattoo. Shinji's new ink is the last thing he sees before he's knocked out. The next time he wakes up, he's thousands of miles away, held captive in a skyscraper.
Is It Any Good?
This fantasy adventure packs all the right elements for a thrilling jungle quest: Aztec gods, hidden temples, curses, booby traps, intrepid explorers from a secret society, and goons in pursuit. There's even a rickety bridge over a chasm to cross, and that never turns out well, especially after someone shouts, "Don't look down!" Right. Kids will want to join up with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, SEA, immediately, even if it means flying in that ancient airplane with only one parachute. They may not want Shinji's cursed tattoo to go with it, but it's almost worth the price, especially if all of humanity is at stake. And it is, thanks to a vengeful god.
Shinji makes for a great hero, unsure at first about taking on the responsibility the Coatl tattoo represents, but then rising to every challenge. Shinji's friend Lucy is a solid sidekick, even if she's got quite a bit to hide from Shinji at first. And it's great to see Lucy and Zoe represent girls in tech in this book -- and for Zoe, girls/women in wheelchairs in tech. She sees all with drones that she designed herself. SEA is definitely open to anyone ready for adventure and even boasts a refreshing "preserve and protect and leave it how you found it" attitude -- certainly not the Indiana Jones motto. The only thing missing from this series opener is a clearer understanding of who the adult adventurers are. Only Oliver stands out because Shinji and Lucy meet him first. Here's hoping we spend more quality time with Zoe, Priya, Professor Carrero, and Maya on future quests.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the jungle bridge in Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl. Why do the explorers decide not to destroy it when the enemy is following them? What is the Society of Explorers and Adventurers' (SEA) philosophy about adventuring? How has it changed from their early days?
Zoe can't get through the dense jungle in her wheelchair, but she plays a vital role in the success of the mission with her drones. Can you think of any other adventure-quest stories that include characters with limited mobility?
What do you think is next for Shinji and SEA? Will you read along to find out?
Book Details
- Author: Julie Kagawa
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires, Robots
- Character Strengths: Courage, Curiosity, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date: April 26, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 25, 2022
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