by: A.Y. Chan
Genre: Middle Grade Martial Arts/Action Adventure
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Publisher: Aladdin
Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Too bad there's a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions…and find time to search for her missing father (who just might be harboring a dangerous secret of his own). Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!
Publishers Weekly calls THE LEGENDARY MO SETO “Adrenaline pumping”, Kirkus Reviews says it “Packs a punch”, and Booklist calls it “Remarkably relatable.” Leap in and join the fun!
The idea for my book came from a mix of real-life experiences and a love for martial arts movies. I started training in Taekwondo when I was six years old. My mom, in her infinite wisdom, told me, “You need to learn how to protect yourself.” Little me just shrugged and said, “Ok.” I had no idea what I was getting into, but it turned out to be a blast. The thrill of landing a kick on a target paddle and the crisp snap of my uniform when I executed a proper move—those moments were pure adrenaline.
The inspiration for my character Mo came from a real city-wide competition. Picture this: a room full of kids, all buzzing with excitement and nerves. Just like Mo, I found myself in the final match against a bigger, stronger boy. Back then, they paired us by belt level and age, not by weight class, so it was a true David versus Goliath scenario. Spoiler alert: I lost. That second-place finish stung. I was crushed and kept replaying the fight in my head, wondering what I could have done differently.
But it wasn’t just my own experiences that shaped Mo. I was also a huge fan of martial arts movies. I loved watching the stunt actors and body doubles, the unsung heroes who made every punch and kick look spectacular. As an introvert, I never wanted to be the main character. Nope, my dream was to be the one getting thrown across the room by the hero. It might sound odd, but there was something appealing about being part of the action without being in the spotlight.
So, combining my childhood martial arts adventures with my fascination for the underdogs in action films, Mo’s character started to take shape. She’s got the heart of a lion, the fighting spirit of a warrior, and just enough of that underdog charm to keep you rooting for her. Writing her story allowed me to relive those moments of triumph and defeat and to pay homage to all the kids out there who ever felt like they were fighting an uphill battle.
And that’s how the idea for my book was born—a blend of real-life sweat, a bit of childhood heartache, and a dash of Hollywood magic.
“You’re so gonna lose,” he says, low enough that only I can hear. “’Cause . . .”
He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over me.
I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of air—hisss.
Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-nine, so I’m not holding my breath.
Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.
That’s three. Three tourneys.
Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really does matter to him. A lot.
It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Tae Kwon Do Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll show Dax.
He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over me.
I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of air—hisss.
Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-nine, so I’m not holding my breath.
Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.
That’s three. Three tourneys.
Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really does matter to him. A lot.
It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Tae Kwon Do Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll show Dax.
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Thank you so much for hosting THE LEGENDARY MO SETO today.
ReplyDeleteThis looks really good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover art. Sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson would like it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book and I really like the cover.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt and giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteI have an arc in my to-be-read pile, but after reading your interview, “Mo” has been moved waaaay up in the stack! Sounds like a title my MG girls would enjoy…and maybe some martial arts-loving guys, too!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds adorable! Thank you for the guest post & excerpt! :)
ReplyDeletecool
ReplyDeleteI love the cover - it suits the book perfectly...
ReplyDeleteAwesome cover
ReplyDeleteMy niece would love this book!
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post
ReplyDeleteWe have grandkids who would love this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it.
How many books have you written and do you have a favorite?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite author or genre?
ReplyDeleteHow many hours a day do you write?
ReplyDeleteWhat age were you when you first started writing?
ReplyDeleteHow do you handle writer's block?
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post! I enjoyed reading it and learning more about this interesting book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fantastic book!
ReplyDelete