Books By Theme: Superpowers!

"Putting the right book in the right kid's hands is kind of like giving that kid superpowers."

 ~ Cecil Castelucci 

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man

by Michael Chabon; illustrated by Jake Parker

Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight asan arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. But Awesome Man also has a secret. . . . Can you guess what it is?

 

Nino Wrestles the World

by Yuyi Morales

Lucha Libre champion Nino has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills.

Thunder Rose 

by Jerdine Nolen; illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Unusual from the day she is born, Thunder Rose performs all sorts of amazing feats, including building metal structures, taming a stampeding herd of steers, capturing a gang of rustlers, and turning aside a tornado. 

 

Super Hair-O and the Barber of Doom

by John Rocco

Every super hero gets his powers from somewhere. The young hero of this book, Rocco, thinks his abilities come from his shock of red hair, and the longer it gets, the stronger he becomes. He even has a posse of super friends with wild hair of their own. Our hero is unstoppable--until the day he's dragged to the super evil villain's lair and robbed of his powers. How will he face his friends? Will he ever regain his super hero-ness? A girl who has been watching all along offers the gang a chance to save the day and get their groove back.

Send for a Superhero!

by Michael Rosen; illustrated by Katherine McEwen 

Tune in as a father reads his children a bedtime story about the exploits of two villains, Filth and Vacuum, and their wicked plan to suck all the money out of the banks and cover everything with muck and slime. Who is strong enough to save the world? Not Steel Man, nor Flying Through the Air Very Fast Man, nor even Incredible Big Strong Green Man. It may just be a job for clever young Brad Forty, who transforms himself into . . . Extremely Boring Man! His superpower is making people fall asleep — but will it work on the children listening to this story?

This Librarian's Quick Picks: The Octopus Scientists

The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk
by Sy Mongomery
illustrations by Keith Ellenbogen
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (May 26, 2015)
Narrative Nonfiction

Summary:

Explores the octopus, discussing how it changes colors, how their behavior can reveal the health of the worlds oceans, and more, as well as the work of scientists to learn more about it. 
 
Why You'll Love It:

• The text includes tantalizing tidbits and facts. For example, did you know that an octopus can “pour” itself through a hole the size of a thimble, drill through seashells with its tongue, squirt ink, and paralyze its prey with venom?
• The photographs are stunning and engaging, making the reader feel they're right there with the colorful marine life.
• Author Montgomery doesn't sugarcoat the very hands-on research process involved in writing this book. She describes how physically uncomfortable some of the experiences were and how sometimes long hours of research can yield little results.  

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 5-up...and here's an interview with author Sy Montgomery featured on Time for Kids.

What Else You Should Read: 

• Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen R. Swinburne
• The Dolphins of Shark Bay by Pamela S. Turner
• Giant Pacific Octopus by Leon Gray

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Gingerbread For Liberty!

Gingerbread For Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution
by Mara Rockliff
illustrations by Vincent X. Kirsch
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Jan. 27, 2015)
Informational Picture Book

Summary:

A picture book biography about a forgotten hero of the American Revolution who rose to the occasion and served his country, not with muskets or canons, but with gingerbread!

Why You'll Love It:

• Rockliff’s dialogue-laden text is accessible, even humorous at times.
• Author Rockliff includes a recipe for gingergread at the end of the book, offering options for different skill levels.
•  Kirsch pays careful attention to mirror the narrative in his book design and illustration. The interior art is made up of layered paper cut outs in primary colors, with white edging that mimics traditional gingerbread decoration.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 2-5...or any grade that specifically studies the American Revolution.

What Else You Should Read:

• Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman
• Dear Mr. Washington by Lynn Cullen
• Henry and the Cannons by Don Brown

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Dinosaur Boy

Dinosaur Boy
by Cory Putman Oakes
Jabberwocky Books (Feb. 3, 2015)
Science Fiction chapter book

Summary:

Sprouting a tail and spikes over the summer before fifth grade, Sawyer, a boy with the dinosaur gene, is bullied in school, but when his tormentors begin to disappear, it is up to Sawyer, his best friend Elliot, and a mysterious new girl to rescue them from a galactically horrible fate.

Why You'll Love It:

•  A fast-paced narrative and mixture of science fiction and humor will appeal to reluctant readers.
• Themes of bullying and racial identity are woven into an entertaining story that never stops moving.
• If you loved Wonder and would like to read another book with similar ideas about acceptance, this is a great choice.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 3-6...and here's the teacher guide.

What Else You Should Read:

• Blast Off! by Nate Ball
• Pickle by Kim Baker
• Spaceheadz series by Jon Scieszka

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Public School Superhero

Public School Superhero
by James Patterson/Chris Tebbetts
illustrations by Cory Thomas
Little, Brown Books (March 16, 2015)
Chapter Book

Summary:

In Kenny Wright's active imagination he's a world famous superhero, but in the real world he's a sixth grade 'Grandma's Boy' whose struggles to fit in at his Washington D.C. inner city school will put his grades and family loyalty to the test.

Why You'll Love It:

• Students already familiar with the Middle School and I Funny series will welcome a new Patterson book.
• Underlying the humor is a commentary on inner-city schools, a subsection of our educational system plagued by budget cuts, principal-hopping and a society that may have written them off entirely.
• Kenny is African American and his classmates include kids from a rich and realistic diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds, adding to the overall appeal of this novel.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 5 and up ...and here's a book trailer.



What Else You Should Read:

• I Funny Series by James Patterson
• The Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrik Henry Bass
• Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Dragonbreath -- Knight-napped!

Dragonbreath: Knight-napped!
by Ursula Vernon
Dial Books (January 6, 2015)
Fantasy chapter book

Summary:

Danny’s super-annoying cousin Spencer has been kidnapped by knights, every dragon’s worst enemy. After briefly enjoying the peace, Danny and friends go to his rescue.

Why You'll Love It:

• My kiddos at school are always excited about a new Dragonbreath addition. It's a no-brainer.
• Okay, still need convincing? Ursula Vernon’s witty passages will have readers chuckling. The description of Danny’s cousin is particularly funny: “If there had been a world championship for Most Annoying Cousin, Spencer would win every time. Then he’d whine until somebody carried the trophy for him.”
• Appealing comic-book-style illustrations appear throughout, enhancing the humor. For example, Wendell explains the composition of the moat that surrounds the castle by pointing to a visual aid labeled glop, ooze, and mafia informant.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 2-5.

What Else You Should Read:

• Fear the Amoeba (Squish series) by Jennifer Holm
• The Gumazing Gum Girl by Rhode Montijo
• The Flying Beaver Brothers series by Maxwell Eaton III