Into the wild

Do (the Ninja Kid series) explores themes of bravery and resilience via Gwen, a girl forced to survive alone in the wild. In the middle of the night, Gwen is awoken by her mother, who says they must leave their home immediately. Gwen follows her parents' orders and runs, not looking back as promised, only to realize she's been separated from her family in the shuffle. Lost and alone in the woods, Gwen receives help from a stray dog. As she endeavors to reunite with her parents, more dogs come to her aid, and Gwen learns of the loyalty and survival skills necessary to become the "leader of pack animals who had become my family." Sketchy, movement-filled artwork by illustrators Ley and Ji accompany emotionally authentic prose and add humor to Gwen's journey through her relationships and interactions with her pack. This adrenaline-pumping story, the first in a series, vividly recounts a captivating tale of a girl whose resourcefulness and determination are the foundation for doing "whatever it took to keep my pack alive." Gwen's skin tone matches the hue of the page. Ages 8--12. (Mar.)