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Description edit
Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American’s quest to become a kung fu master at China’s legendary Shaolin Temple. Growing up a ninety-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young Matthew Polly dreamed of one day... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Matthew: The author. A young American who travels to China to study kung fu with the Shaolin monks. The monks call him "Bao Mosi."
- John: A Chinese-American who also studies with the Shaolin monks.
- Cheng Hao: One of the monks. He is particularly talented at kung fu.
- Deqing: A very energetic and extroverted monk at the Shaolin Temple. His kung fu has explosive power.
- Jiao: Add a description of this character.
- Yunfei
- Monk Dong: Matt's nickname for a monk who studied "iron crotch kung fu."
- Liu
- Carlos: A kung fu teacher who comes to study with the Shaolin monks. He is a highly religious Catholic.
- Coach Cheng
- Big Wang
- Mr. Ling
- Lipeng
- Baotong: Matt's strong, more experienced sparring partner for kickboxing.
- Bruce Lee: A famous actor and martial artist from China.
- Yongxin
- Mikael: A crazy Finn studying kung fu.
- Monk Xingming
- Pierre
- Doc
- Shou Ting: Matt's nickname for Coach Cheng's girlfriend.
- Master Wu
- Chang
- Dashan
- Deging
Setting & Locations edit
- China
- Shaolin Temple
- America
- Beijing
- Hong Kong
- Wushu Center
- Taiwan
- Henan
- Wuhan
- Topeka
- Japan
- Kansas
- Shanghai
First Sentence edit
Some people have an inner voice.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Kansas Notable Books (2008). (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Matthew Polly (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: Add the publication date.
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 366
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: Add the publication date.
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 366
Awards edit
- Alex Awards (2008)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 796.8155
Subjects edit
- Books › Sports › Individual Sports › Martial Arts
- Books › Travel › Asia › China
- Books › Biographies & Memoirs › Memoirs
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