Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Reading Time
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Highly Recommended
      • CBCA Short Listed
      • Early Childhood Books
      • Younger Readers
      • Intermediate Readers
      • Older Readers
      • ANZAC books
      • Great Read Alouds
      • Information Books
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Picture Books
      • Professional Development
    • Interviews
    • Suggestions
    • News
    • Meet The Review Team
    • Contact Us
    Reading Time
    You are at:Home»Reviews»James Gong, The Chinese Dragon

    James Gong, The Chinese Dragon

    0
    By Admin on May 2, 2022 Reviews, Younger Readers

    Paul Collins, James Gong: The Chinese Dragon, Hybrid Publishers, February 2022, 168 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781925736793

    James Gong is the young star of the recent movie Ham Solo: Revenge of the Fist and he is quite pleased with himself and his fame. But in James’s family, there are no special privileges for himself and his sister Caitlin who are expected to pitch in with jobs around the house, shopping and to keep a steady focus on their schoolwork.

    This would all go along smoothly except James is rather obsessed with virtual reality and martial arts—in combination—and even more obsessed with Ming Lee, the Chinese Dragon who is the undisputed queen of virtual martial arts. When James is constantly bullied by Tosser and his gang, Ming decides that she and James should combine their skills to finally put a stop to Tosser’s threats and thuggery. However, when gangsters become involved in a highly risky virtual martial arts tournament where Tosser will fight against Ming, both James and Ming will need all their skills and brainwork, as well as Caitlin’s cleverness, to survive.

    James Gong — The Chinese Dragon is a real page-turner with fast-paced unexpected twists and turns in every chapter. The non-stop action of martial arts as the basis for the story is informed by author Paul Collins’ highly successful career in this sport over many years and across numerous platforms—taekwondo, ju jitsu and kickboxing as well as time in the army as a commando. And then, if this wasn’t enough, the skill and mental aptitude required for martial arts is lifted to another level as it becomes the means for the engagement of the characters in virtual reality.

    Narrator, James Gong is a likeable lad, not particularly worldly despite his movie career. Like many young lads, he is full of early-teen bravado, uncertainty, and frustration at the boring aspects of everyday life. But James’ passion for virtual martial arts and his friendship with Ming bring a large dose of unpredictability and adventure to his life.

    James Gong — The Chinese Dragon is so cleverly written by author Paul Collins who lets James tell us his story in a fresh lively manner with a marvellous dose of self-deprecating humour. And there is more than just adventure here as the author has woven issues of bullying, family responsibility, friendship and trust in the context of sport, gaming, technology, and performance within these pages. The reading of this book feels like spending time with a young friend, and I’ve enjoyed the company.

    Reviewed by Jennifer Mors

    Action adventure Australian author Bullying family friendship Gaming humour martial arts Sport Trust

    Related Posts

    A Human for Kingsley

    Dirt Circus League

    Dark Rise

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    • Themes
    • Curriculum
    Action adventure Airplanes Alphabet Anxiety autism Bullying CBCA Awards Coming of age Dystopian emotions family fantasy friendship grief Historical humour magic Mystery Post apocalyptic Readers Cup reluctant readers school Sci-Fi series of books siblings Sport Starting school Teacher Notes
    ANZAC Australian animals Australian history Biography Culture & Diversity Disabilities First Nations Geography health Humanities mental health Poetry Reconciliation resilience Science STEM Stolen Generation sustainability Wordless books



    Recent Comments
    • Cherie on Elephant Island
    • Patricia Tilton on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Jilanne Hoffmann on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Penelope Pratley on The Secret of Sapling Green
    • Emily Flint on Walk of the Whales
    Recent Posts
    • A Human for Kingsley
    • Dirt Circus League
    • Dark Rise
    • Bear and Rat
    • Grumble Boats
    Recent Comments
    • Cherie on Elephant Island
    • Patricia Tilton on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Jilanne Hoffmann on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Penelope Pratley on The Secret of Sapling Green
    • Emily Flint on Walk of the Whales
    © Copyright 2021 The Children’s Book Council of Australia - All rights reserved

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Posting....