Captain Superlative

Captain Superlative
by J.S. Puller

From the publisher:
""Have no fear, citizens! Captain Superlative is here to make all troubles disappear!"

Red mask, blue wig, silver swimsuit, rubber gloves, torn tights, high top sneakers and . . . a cape? Who would run through the halls of Deerwood Park Middle School dressed like this? And why?

Janey-quick to stay in the shadows-can't resist the urge to uncover the truth behind the mask. The answer pulls invisible Janey into the spotlight and leads her to an unexpected friendship with a superhero like no other. Fearless even in the face of school bully extraordinaire, Dagmar Hagen, no good deed is too small for the incomparable Captain Superlative and her new sidekick, Janey.

But superheroes hold secrets and Captain Superlative is no exception. When Janey unearths what's truly at stake, she's forced to face her own dark secrets and discover what it truly means to be a hero . . . and a friend."

I will give this book to kids who love Wonder , but I didn't find it as good as that one. It had very touching moments, though, and a likable and relatable main character. Many students will connect with Plain Jane and with Janey! . I connected with her myself. In junior high I had my core group of friends and if they weren't around I tried to be as invisible as possible. Being the first one of my friends in the lunch room was pretty traumatizing, so knowing poor Jane was going to be all alone every day in that stressful place was heartrending. I also loved that Jane had an amazing father who loved her and encouraged her to try new things and stop being invisible, yet accepted her completely as she was.

As far as the plot goes, it pretty much gives a lot of it away in the first couple of pages and other plot points are easily guessed way before the end. I also found Captain Superlative a little cringe-worthy at times. However, I love this book's message of kindness and think it is important for middle school students - especially in our world right now. And I think that my students who loved Wonder will take to this one.

Areas of concern:
*Bullying
*One instance of domestic abuse

Suggested Ages:

Kirkus Reviews - Ages 9-12

School Library Journal - Grades 4-7