Shy Ninja

Written by father and daughter duo Riacardo and Adara Sanchez, Shy Ninja is a heart warming tale of a young girl who finds her inner potential while combating the realities of a social anxiety disorder.

When a shy adolescent girl enrolls at a local School for Ninjas on a lark, she discovers she may actually be the heir to an ancient prophecy that will return the Ninja to prominence—if she can conquer her fears.

Young Rena suffers from social anxiety disorder. It keeps her from engaging at school, from hanging out with her best friend in person, or participating in any sort of group activity. Pressed by her mother to find some social outlet, she enrolls in a School for Ninjas—and in an instant, her life changes. Rena’s instructor, the mysterious Dysart, tells her that her presence fulfills an ancient prophecy and that she will become the Ninja legend known as “The Ghost.” Assuming she can even get past her own anxieties, will she help Dysart return the Ninja to their former glory, or is Dysart planning to exploit Rena for his own cryptic aims?

Gr 5–8—Rena, who is socially anxious, would rather spend her days in her room playing video games (she connects virtually with her friend Sidney, who can't leave his house because of an unnamed medical condition), but she feels pressured to socialize with others. Her therapist gives her the assignment of joining at least one club and hands her a flyer for the Watsonville Ninja School. After she fills out the school's online test on a whim, the master of the school shows up and tells Rena she's accepted. Ninja training is her opportunity to get everyone's attention away from her, especially if she can learn some of those vanishing ninja skills she's seen in movies. And she soon learns that she is the Ghost, who, according to ancient prophecy, will save all ninjas from ruin. Refreshingly, Rena isn't defined by her social anxiety, and outside of school, she's an energetic and self-assured character capable of making friendships on her own terms. The richly colored artwork adds to the story's lively tone with spirited action scenes and vivid facial expressions reminiscent of the Nickelodeon Avatar series. Rena has tan skin and teal hair, and her mom has light skin and orange hair. Although most other secondary characters are also portrayed with light skin, Sidney is Black. VERDICT With a sensitive depiction of mental illness and plenty of dynamic action, this is a fun addition to graphic novel collections.—Amanda Melilli, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas