The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y. Chan is a delightful middle-grade book following the title character Mo, or Modesty Seto, as she deals with the trials of being a tween learning how to deal with the day-to-day issues of self-acceptance as well as trying to follow in the footsteps of her idol, and just plain making her parents proud of her. This fun story reads like a classic martial arts movie following a child looking for self-discovery as she learns her family's sometimes dark, but also really cool, history reaching back to ancient China.
The Legendary Mo Seto is a fast-paced novel that is perfect for older children and young teenagers. The story is full of twists and turns, and while there is some fighting and violence, it is always in a self-defense and professional context. The level of action is no more than what you would expect in any martial arts-based media, so parents can feel confident that their child is reading an appropriate book. The main character, Mo Seto, is often the one learning these martial arts skills and she only puts them to appropriate use.
Speaking of Mo, the issues she goes through, despite the dramatic story, are pretty normal for a young teenage girl. Dealing with the fact that she's small and probably will stay small, trying to make her parents proud, and some boy issues she doesn't even know she has yet make her a relatable and realistic character. Similarly, the side character has the same realistic appeal with their personal issues and relationships.
This book also had one immersive and slightly educational point that I really enjoyed. Every now and then, you see a Chinese character or term, but don't worry, A.Y. Chan has made sure that there is an English translation soon to follow. Mo herself doesn't even know Chinese aside from a few words so at least she's in the same boat.
You will enjoy going on an adventure with Mo as she works her way through life. Pick up this book as soon as you can.