One Missing Finger is the second in the Black Belt Series, the sequel to Frog Face and the Three Boys. The series features three boys who take karate classes together and spend the rest of their time steering awkwardly and often hilariously through the social obstacle course of early adolescence. In this novel, Charlie attempts to woo an older girl after his dog chewed the finger out of one of her gloves, Sidney tries to convince his girlfriend’s mother that they are old enough to date, and Jeffrey explains to his grandfather how it is that his finger was injured by a girl in karate class. Between one troublesome finger and another, the dilemmas of the three heroes intersect with entertaining results.

Edmonton writer Don Trembath, whose novels include Lefty Carmichael Has a Fit and A Beautiful Place on Yonge Street, brings humour and compassion to the portrayals of his misfit characters. The narrative is tight and fast-paced, filled with convincing dialogue and peppered with apt descriptions: Charlie’s heart leaps “like a kitten chasing a ball of wool” and Jeffrey envisions his grandfather’s dinner “caught in the old man’s throat like clogged sewage in a drain.” Despite the title of series, this is not a book for anyone who wants to learn about karate; it is a fun, light read for kids who enjoy the ridiculous and might recognize a bit of themselves in the three hapless heroes. The pace of this book and its upbeat energy will capture the interest of reluctant young readers, and its generous approach to human weakness and eccentricity will buoy the hearts of a wide range of readers, including adults.