Fight for Honor

This series gets off to a rather sluggish start with the story of Lee, a 12-year-old Vietnamese boy who has been adopted by the Jenkins family. A kind and contemplative lad, Lee studies karate with his two brothers, Michael and Jeremy. During a class exercise, Lee gets the better of Kevin, a boastful kid who vows that his older brother--a brawny football hero--will pay Lee back for what he perceives to be Lee's mistreatment of him. The incident escalates quickly into an exaggerated family feud, until one can't help but feel that both sides are making much ado about very little. More action--rather than over-long discussions about and anticipation of the eventual showdown--would have stepped up the plot's pace. Even so, Baker has an easy, natural writing style, and readers interested in karate will appreciate her descriptions of the sport's traditions and moves. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)