A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

Don TheDragonWilson Jones is the finest fighter Benjamin Harrison High School has ever produced. But when he enters the ring against Lincoln High's Sam Steadman, it's love at first knockout.

Unfortunately, Sam has a jerky ex-boyfriend...and Don has a seriously terrifying ex-girlfriend. Like, global crime cartel terrifying. From prom to the after-party to graduation, Don and Sam--and an increasingly eclectic cast of supporting oddballs--will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of opponents, all in the name of love (and punching). Did we mention the punching?

The Karate Kid meets Percy Jackson in Hounded, a contemporary and illustrated coming-of-age novel inspired by the legendary Irish warrior Cú Chulainn, who is known in mythology as The Hound.

It is the second book of Celtic-inspired middle-grade fiction by award-winning author Patti M. Walsh.

Thirteen-year-old Tony plays the harp, but wants to play soccer. His parents won't let him. While pining away for a chance to play-or even watch-a game, Tony runs into Ferdy, who convinces Tony to deliver drug money to a known criminal in exchange for game tickets. When he does, Tony is arrested. At the police station, the two meet again. You set me up, Ferdy screams. I'm gonna kill you!

The threat hounds Tony and his parents. They have him use his middle name, Colin, and send him and his dog to live for the summer with his eccentric 70-year-old grandaunt Alba. Unbeknownst to Colin and his parents, she is a master of the Irish martial art bataireacht-shillelagh fighting. She emphasizes that he learn to defend himself by practicing discipline, visualization, and Celtic rituals. Colin resists the training. He'd rather play the harp. In a compromise, Colin teaches Alba to play the instrument.

Meanwhile, on a trip to the town of Tory Island, Colin meets Bonnie, who is living with her aunt Anam and uncle Nog. They are resident owners of Companion Moon, a bed-and-breakfast. Bonnie, a distant cousin, is the protagonist of Ghost Girl, the first book in the series. She is a blogger and videographer.

When he is not training and helping Alba, Colin enjoys spending time with Bonnie. He also meets the lifeguard James, who asks a lot of questions about his background.

Nog is a storyteller. One day, he tells the story of Cú Chulainn, the Irish warrior and his magic weapon. Colin is struck by the similarities between himself and the legend.

As Colin's self-discipline and bataireacht skills improve, Alba also teaches him about King Cormaic Mac Airt and his code of ethics. Colin discovers becoming a warrior is more than combat training.

Colin doesn't know that Alba has been having disturbing visions of him being attacked by a lizard-like character. Since she also dabbles in magic, she imbues Colin's shillelagh with a potion.

On a late summer day, while Colin and Bonnie spend a day in town, Ferdy shows up. After being released from juvenile detention, he has come to seek revenge. He found Colin because James reposted a picture of Colin on Bonnie's blog.

Ferdy challenges Colin to a fight at dawn. Colin tells Bonnie that he has been learning bataireacht, and she tells him that she not only sees ghosts but has learned from them that she is responsible for everyone in her family, including him. She slips out in the middle of the night to witness the battle.

Alba also shows up, for her instructions and magic are being put to the test.

Ferdy is expecting the timid Tony. Instead, Colin, the Celtic warrior, shows up. Following an intense showdown, Colin defeats Ferdy, not by physically injuring him but by overcoming him with his magic weapon. Colin forces Ferdy to return home and acknowledge his guilt.

When Colin's parents and Bonnie's parents arrive to bring their children home, Alba hosts a party. Not only does Colin play the harp, but Alba does, too. Colin and Bonnie look forward to spending the next summer together.

Long ago, Xinyue emerged from the chaos of the first war. Bolstered by the seven master lineages-each a pinnacle of martial prowess-it etched its destiny westward in the flames of conquest. Bound by tradition, these lineages face fierce trials, ensuring only the greatest serve the emperor.

Yet, in a shocking twist, the Dragon lineage-the very symbol of Xinyue's strength-has been condemned by imperial decree.

Sanav, heir of the Dragon lineage, is thrust into an impossible trial. He will stop at nothing to restore his lineage's place among the masters and cleanse the Dragon's tainted legacy. But the path to redemption is fraught with challenges: ruthless adversaries, the shadow of his own inner turmoil, and the threat of awakening the Black Dragon within him.

As Sanav battles to reclaim his lineage's status, he must face the damage his actions inflict on his friends, the daunting skills of the masters who stand in his way to vengeance, and the relentless rage and guilt hounding his every step. Will he emerge as the savior of the Dragon lineage or be consumed by the very darkness he seeks to vanquish?

The fate of an empire and the soul of a warrior hang in the balance.

Sports fans and reluctant readers alike will enjoy the detailed, fast-paced wrestling matches and blow-by-blow MMA fight scenes. ... Visceral and violent yet ultimately hopeful. -- Kirkus Reviews

Sixteen-year-old star wrestler Rowan Harper's biggest fan is her father.

But he has ALS, and his symptoms are getting worse. Saving his life will cost more money than the family has, but Rowan finds a solution. Will she risk her chances at a scholarship by competing in a lucrative, but illegal, underground MMA fight?

Takedown is a high-intensity coming-of-age story about family illness and competitive combat, with lots of heart, hope, and headlocks.

A rising star in Muay Thai figures out what (and who) is worth fighting for in this YA debut full of heart.

If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She's landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport weren't seen as something too rough for girls, something she's afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena's never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.

Which is inconvenient, since she's starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world's most perfect Indian. Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride--she'll have to face his parents' disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Kareena's bid for the Olympics could very well make history--if she has the courage to go for it.

All he wants is to be a normal teenager. But when a car accident shatters his life, Dylan finds salvation in the most unlikely of places.

When a car wreck leaves sixteen-year-old Dylan with one leg, suddenly everyone in his life treats him differently. His girlfriend dumps him, his parents want to wrap him in cotton wool and the jocks at his new school see him as an easy target.

As he struggles to come to terms with what's happened, curiosity (and a humiliating schoolyard fight) lead him through the doors of a local MMA gym where he runs into Santana, a tough, Latina fighter with her own unique set of challenges.

With Santana as a reluctant mentor, Dylan begins training Brazilian jiujitsu, a full contact martial art that makes learning to walk again seem easy by comparison. With his body bruised and his ego dented, Dylan finds himself pushed to the edge, not just physically, but also emotionally.

Can Dylan stay the course and find the courage and determination to change not just how the world sees him, but how he sees himself?

A story about grit, resilience and the power of friendship from the bestselling, award-winning author of the Ryan Lock thriller series, Sean Black.

Joao has been teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Austin area for two decades, and has operated his own school in Dripping Springs for sixteen years. A few years ago he expanded to Austin, and now owns and operates two jiu-jitsu schools in the Austin area.

Joao is considered to be an expert in teaching children jiu-jitsu, and many of the top Brazilian jiu-jitsu coaches and school owners have turned to him for advice on starting their own children's programs. He has created numerous DVDs and video resources for instructors on teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has schools affiliated with him across the country and overseas. Joao speaks four languages, and has also traveled throughout Europe teaching seminars and spreading the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He currently resides in Austin, TX, and when he's not teaching BJJ he enjoys outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, and swimming.

Dive into the world of triumph and perseverance with Short Inspiring Sport Stories for Kids. Tailored for young readers ages 7-11, this collection showcases spectacular tales of resilience and courage. From the tennis court to the soccer field, swimming pools to basketball courts, golf greens to sprint tracks, and even the NFL and boxing ring-these stories not only entertain but impart valuable life lessons. Join young athletes as they navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and discover the true meaning of sportsmanship. This captivating anthology is more than just about winning; it's about the indomitable spirit that helps kids conquer problems in life through the power of sports.

After losing yet another tae kwon do tournament, Jinho gives in to his anger and breaks his opponent's fingers.

While this gets him barred from competing at his dojang, it also gets him scouted by Austin, a trainer for an underground mixed martial arts club. At first the prospect of fighting without boundaries appeals to Jinho, but the more involved he gets, the more disturbing he finds it and the harder it is to find a way out. Unlike legal MMA, which has rules and regulations, underground MMA is a free-for-all: there are no weight classes and no referees to stop the fight should it go too far. When Jinho is set up to fight a boy known as The Ripper, he realizes that he doesn't belong in this world, but the only thing that can save him is the ancient code of tae kwon do.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read!

From debut author Katharyn Blair comes a heart-stopping fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and The Young Elites, about a teenage runaway who enters a dangerous tournament with an impossible prize.

Vesper Montgomery can summon your worst fear and turn it into a reality--but she's learned the hard way that it's an addicting and dangerous power. One wrong move and you could hurt someone you love.

But when she earns a spot in the Tournament of the Unraveling, where competitors battle it out for a chance to rewrite the past, Vesper finally has a shot to reverse the mistakes that have changed her forever.

She turns to Sam Hardy, a former MMA fighter who's also carrying a tragedy he desperately wants to undo. However, helping heal Sam's heart will mean breaking her own, and the competition forces her to master her powers--powers she has been terrified of since they destroyed her life.

Former US Army Ranger and Tae Kwon Do grandmaster Brendan Wilson draws upon his military and martial arts experience, as well as his love of science to continue the saga of Mei Ling Lee in this second novel in the series.

2023 Hardcover Reprint. Covers all aspects of Marine Close Combat Fighting and includes a profusion of illustrations for each hold or technique. Chapters include: Fundamentals of Close Combat Lethal and Nonlethal Weapons Techniques Hand-Held Weapons Strikes Throws Chokes and Holds Ground Fighting Nonlethal Techniques.

Worker by day, volunteer at night. This is fifteen-year-old Arctic's life. Except he's far from ordinary, and the print shop he works at is just a cover, a safe base for Metas-people with supernatural abilities.

But when Metas start disappearing one by one, his trail of clues leads him into a web of danger. Trapped between the secrets of a hidden world and his turbulent past, he becomes the target of a treacherous hunt.

And that's just the beginning.

His encounter with a mysterious girl makes him question everything he's ever believed in. Together, with her as his only ally, he must risk it all to unearth the truth.
Even worse, his own forgotten past is coming back to haunt him.
Who is kidnapping the Metas? Why? And who are the Chosen Legends with the strange marks on their hands?

To find the answers, he may have to seek the same people hunting him down.
Before time runs out.

Journey alongside Arctic in the first installment of Chosen Legends coming-of-age superhero fantasy series. If you're a fan of the Renegades Series, Marie Lu's Young Elites, and Mackenzi Lee, you'll love this story about friendship, identity, and flawed heroes.

Lucas Martinez and Aaron Graham have been best friends since the third grade. They do everything together, but the heart of their relationship has always been martial arts; they constantly push each other to be the best they can be, both in and out of the dojang. Their friendship, however, is put to the test when Aaron's mother suddenly falls ill. Aaron doesn't just unexpectedly pull away from Lucas, he befriends a troublesome new student at school who has a negative influence on him. No longer seeing eye-to-eye, their friendship begins to fray. And those tenuous bonds between the once best friends completely unravel when Aaron and the new kid use a compromising video of Lucas to cyberbully him. Seeking revenge during sparring class, Lucas shatters both Aaron's nose and what hope remains of repairing their friendship. But when Grafton High announces the formation of a new interscholastic martial arts team the next day, the boys are forced to confront one another and their differences. For the sake of their team and themselves, they must find a way to move past their problems and work together.

We're going to discover Brazil through the eyes of Raul, Alexandre, Miguel, and Estrela Ferreira. They have a unique friendship with jiu-jitsu Grandmaster Brioso Silva, who trained them from an early age. They learned all about self-defense and about life itself. Grandmaster Brioso Silva always said, There's a devil inside of me ... who likes to make mischief ‒ to do bad things. But he gets that devil under control and teaches jiu-jitsu along with how to be kind to yourself and others.

In this book, you will be introduced to guard dogs, thieves, a monster, bullies, a warlord, flying cigarettes, and ... much, much more! Of course, I can't go giving everything away, you understand that ... I promise you're going to have a whirlwind adventure. Do you dare to take the leap? Well, in that case, what are you waiting for?

Dive Into the Latest Edition of the Martial Arts Magazine!

Discover inspiring stories, expert insights, and cutting-edge trends in the martial arts community. Whether you're a practitioner, instructor, or enthusiast, this issue is packed with something special for everyone.

What's Inside:

• Exclusive updates from the 2024 Who's Who in the Martial Arts Hall of Honors event.
• Highlights from seminars led by Grandmasters Bill Superfoot Wallace, Jessie Bowen, Karen Eden, and Cynthia Rothrock.
• Empowering articles on personal development and business growth.

But that's not all-this isn't just a magazine, it's an interactive experience! Scan our QR code to access Elite Publications Worldwide Roku TV, where you can watch the online presentation of the AMAA Who's Who Legacy and much more.

Plus, enjoy insights from our sponsors, special features, and bonus presentations that make this edition a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration.

Don't miss out-order your copy today and stay connected with the vibrant world of martial arts!