The Legendary Mo Seto by A. Y. Chan

The Legendary Mo Seto

A. Y. Chan

Aladdin · Paperback · May 6, 2025

“An exciting mystery-adventure story that packs a punch” (Kirkus Reviews) and is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Stand Up, Yumi Chung as a young Taekwondo artist uses an ancient book to help save her dreams—and her father.

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Who it’s for
A brisk martial arts adventure pairs underdog determination with family stakes and a dash of mystery.
Genres
Martial Arts, Action & Adventure, US: Asian American Stories
Published
Aladdin, May 6, 2025

About this book

“An exciting mystery-adventure story that packs a punch” (Kirkus Reviews) and is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Stand Up, Yumi Chung as a young Taekwondo artist uses an ancient book to help save her dreams—and her father. Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a Taekwondo champion. Even though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number one fan and biggest supporter.

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Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately. When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with anyone, no matter her size. Unfortunately, Dax is auditioning, too. As Mo and her nemesis progress to callbacks, someone attempts to sabotage the movie set and Mo’s dad disappears—and both events seem linked to a mysterious book, the Book of Joy. The book contains information on Xiaoxi Fu, a secret dance-like martial art developed by Mo’s ancestral grandmother. Armed with these secret moves and an unexpected ally, Mo embarks on a high-octane adventure to rescue her father, save the movie, and discover an unexpected joy in being small.

Small but Mighty

A brisk martial arts adventure pairs underdog determination with family stakes and a dash of mystery.

Come here for

  • Taekwondo, movie-set intrigue, and a mysterious martial arts book
  • A determined young hero facing a bigger rival and bigger stakes

Expect

  • Action threaded with a young competitor’s struggle to prove herself
  • A family-centered adventure where an ancient martial art matters

Where it sits

Martial Arts95%
Action & Adventure64%
US: Asian American Stories63%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Action & Adventure
  • Martial Arts
  • Self-Esteem & Resilience
Authors
A. Y. Chan
Publisher
Aladdin
Published
May 6, 2025
Format
Paperback
Reading lane
Action & Adventure