About the Author Judy Katschke is the author of many books for young readers, from ready-to-reads and chapter books, to middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She lives in New York City. Read more Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Kung Fu to the Rescue! Monk, old buddy,” Po said, his padded panda-paws blocking Monkey’s lightning-fast blows. “You picked the wrong sparring partner!” Monkey broke Po’s guard with a powerful back kick. “I know!” he snickered. “But the practice dummy is in the shop!” “Hy-sterical!” Po smirked. Sure, the Monk-man was a jokester. But this time the joke would be on him! The Dragon Warrior struck a rock-steady kung-fu pose. Nothing could break Po’s zen-like concentration as he prepared to spar. Nothing but . . . “Giant rice ball!” Monkey declared. Giant . . . rice . . . ball? Po’s mouth watered like a feng shui fountain. Rice balls were his favorite treats. Besides noodles, dumplings, egg rolls . . . “What?” Po asked, whipping around. Monkey grabbed the waistband of Po’s pants, yanking it high. “Urrrrk!” Po howled. The dreaded Blazing Butt Chop was Monkey’s signature prank! “You fall for it every time!” Monkey laughed. “Now I’m going to take you down.” Suddenly—WHAM—the gate slammed open. Storming the courtyard was an angry mob of villagers led by Po’s dad, Ping! “Is Shifu at home?” Ping asked. “The angry mob and I must speak with him at once!” Po was worried. What could be ruffling his dad’s feathers? But before he could ask, Shifu, the kung-fu master, walked into the courtyard. Following him were Masters Crane, Viper, Tigress, Mantis, Monkey, and Po. “Shifu, you have got to do something!” Ping cried. “The Valley of Peace is being swept by a crime wave.” “Awesome!” Po exclaimed. Then he quickly added, “I meant . . . awesome bad.” Ping flapped his wings as he explained. “The thief even stole my emergency noodle fund!” Po gulped. The noodle shop? Now it was personal! “And worse,” Ping sobbed. “The thief leaves childish pranks at the scene of each crime!” Monkey let out an epic gasp. “Monkey, what’s wrong?” Po asked. “Um . . . nothing,” Monkey blurted. Shifu gave Mr. Ping a reassuring nod. “The Jade Palace will handle this—” he said. “Hold on, Master Shifu!” Po cut in. He knew there wasn’t a villain the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five couldn’t take on. But this was more than a crime. It was a mystery. And mysteries—were meant to be solved! Read more
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