The second book in this action-packed adventure series follows a team of young ninjas to the final round of the first-ever Junior Ninja competition—perfect for young ninjas and ninja fans everywhere! When tweens Izzy, Ty, Kevin, JJ, and Mackenzie heard there was going to be a kids' version of the reality-TV obstacle competition  National Ninja Champion, they all found themselves drawn to Fit Kidz Gym. They quickly formed a team—training together and helping one another overcome all kinds of obstacles as they tried out for a spot on  Junior Ninja Champion . It's surreal but exciting to watch themselves on TV . . . and the show is a huge hit! Now Izzy and JJ are headed to the finals in Hollywood, and the rest of the team is coming along to cheer them on. Ty is an alternate, hoping for his shot at glory. But when the show throws them a curve ball and announces a wildcard episode, it brings a new competitor to the Fit Kidz team and takes the competition up a notch. Who will lose their grip on victory, and who will climb their way to the top on the first season of Junior Ninja Champion ? "A fast, positive, athletically aspirational read."-- Kirkus ? Catherine Hapka  has published more than two hundred books for kids in all age groups from board books to young adult novels. When she’s not writing, Cathy enjoys horseback riding, animals of all kinds, reading, gardening, music, and travel. She lives in an old house on a small farm in Chester County, PA, where she keeps three horses, a small flock of chickens, and too many cats.   One "Hurry up!' Mackenzie Clark exclaimed as she jumped out of the car. "We don't want to miss a second of the show!"      'Don't worry, we have plenty of time," Papa Kurt said.      'Yeah.' Daddy Jim smiled and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Besides, we're recording it at home. You can watch every second of it as many times as you want."      'that's not the point.' Mackenzie glanced from her fathers to the Fit Kidz gym. Every window was glowing in the fading evening light. 'this is the premiere!"      It seemed to take forever, but finally her dads were out of the car and walking toward the entrance. Mackenzie rushed ahead, her long limbs quivering with excitement. The big night was finally here! Tonight was the broadcast premiere of Junior Ninja Champion '?and they were starting with her episode!      Most people who knew Mackenzie were still surprised that she'd decided to become a ninja. She was still a little surprised herself. She'd always been proud to be a nerd, more interested in science fiction than in sports. In fact, she'd always joked that she was allergic to exercise. But being a ninja'?swinging around on bars or ropes, climbing up walls, jumping and balancing on all kinds of crazy obstacles'?well, that didn't feel like exercise. It felt like fun!      The viewing party for the show was already in full swing when Mackenzie and her dads walked into the gym's big main room. It looked as if the entire town had turned out to celebrate. People of all ages crowded every corner. Mackenzie's science teacher was over by the refreshments table, and two of her neighbors were perched on a weight bench, sipping punch.      'Yo, Mack!' Ty Santiago yelled.      Mackenzie followed her teammate's voice. Ty was leaning against the spiral staircase that led up to the running track on the mezzanine. JJ Johnson was perched on one of the steps.      Mackenzie waved to the two boys, who were both on the Fit Kidz Junior Ninja team with her. She glanced around for Izzy Fitzgerald and Kevin Marshall, their other two teammates, but they were nowhere in sight.      'Go on and talk to your friends," Papa Kurt said with a smile. "We'll mingle."      Mackenzie didn't have to be told twice. She took off toward Ty and JJ.      JJ grinned when she reached them. "Can you believe we're about to be TV stars? Every single one of my cousins came tonight."      'my dads are here, too.' Mackenzie waved a hand toward the spot where she'd left her fathers, though they'd already disappeared into the crowd. "It's too bad my birth mom is away on a business trip. But she promised to watch at her hotel."      'Cool.' Ty pointed to several guys his age who had just entered. "Hey, check it out. It's my boys from the baseball team!"      He grinned and pumped a fist at the guys. Mackenzie smiled as the other guys whooped and waved back. Ty was the opposite of Mackenzie in many ways. He was superathletic and seemed to be great at just about every sport there was. His parents owned the gym where the ninja team trained.      Then there was JJ. He wasn't into team sports the way Ty was, but he loved climbing around in the huge tree house he and his dad had built in their backyard, which meant he was a natural at being a ninja. When Mackenzie glanced at him now, JJ was waving to someone in the opposite direction from Ty's friends'?a petite woman with dark hair and a tattoo of a firecracker on her bicep.