Eight Times Up

Eight Times Up is the story of Riley, an anxious pre-teen whose mother has recently left his family. In hopes of helping Riley learn to deal with his feelings, his father signs him up for aikido classes. As Riley learns the rules and skills connected to this form of martial arts, he begins to appreciate both the sport and the new people he meets. A trip to an aikido camp with his new classmates and his Sensei help Riley develop not only his ability to control his emotions but also help him connect to his new friends. He also learns some big lessons about resilience – get knocked down seven times, get up eight.

Eight Times Up may only appeal to a niche market of middle-grade readers, but it’s one market that is often missed. As a junior high librarian, I often have students who participate in different types of martial arts looking for books that feature athletes who participate in their sport, and Eight Times Up will be an excellent title to be able to give them. I appreciate that it illustrates multiple types of martial arts without belittling one or the other; it describes elements of both aikido and judo without making one seem superior. It is made clear to readers why aikido is the right choice for Riley at this point in his life.

Besides struggling to accept his mother’s absence, Riley is also learning to control his emotions. Corr’s description of what Riley calls “the surge” will be relatable to many students who experience overwhelming feelings of anxiety, fear, or anger. Throughout the novel, Riley experiences this feeling many times with varying results; sometimes he is able to stop it, and other times it comes out as a sort of explosion.

While the main storyline may focuses on Riley and is told from his perspective, the heart of the book is truly the Wafaa storyline. Wafaa is a young girl who participated in judo until she was told she could not wear her sport hijab. Forced to choose between her sport and her faith, Wafaa switches over to the sport of aikido and continues to excel. In one scene, when Wafaa is asked why she wears the hijab, the author takes the opportunity to compare the hijab to a gold cross worn by another character. It is described as a choice, something to connect the characters to their faith and their family. While this book doesn’t feel religious in tone, it is certainly an effective teaching tool in regards to tolerance and acceptance.

The language in this novel is clear and accessible, with a handy glossary of Japanese terms in the back to assist readers unfamiliar with the vocabulary. Overall, Eight Times Up is an interesting and engaging fast-paced read with strong, positive messages about self-control, self-improvement, and self-discipline.